Den Wave King 'Akebono' in bloom

[silken]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

I see!

You do have a perfect place for them for winter rest, except the light as you mentioned.
Supplemental light and sun light relfected off snow is nowhere near enough for these.

I have seen this variety a lot but they were always very big. maybe it's just individual difference. some tall and some not so tall.

Other years I used T5 and had less on this one, so I can't say light alone is the issue for few blooms. I think I quit feeding a little earlier this year, and watered a bit more so will do that again and use the t5 next year. I only had two blooms on this last year.

[NYCorchidman]

Is having T5 brighter than sun light reflected off snow? I'm not familiar with T5.

But these need high light, expecially during the rest to get the most bloom out of it.

I expose mine to direct sun all year long.

[silken]

A high output T5 is said to be equal to two regular T12 fluorescent lights. Mine were in the same place last year still getting the sun from a west facing patio door and reflection off of snow in addition to the T5 last year and I will likely do the same next year. Can't provide much more than that! Cattleyas bloom fine under T5 lights.

[Vanda lover]

I have one similar to this but I have a hard time keeping it cool enough. I leave it out in the unheated mini greenhouse until it gets too cold, then I put it as close as possible to the glass, on my coolest windowsill. I got a few blooms last year, but not this year.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by silken

A high output T5 is said to be equal to two regular T12 fluorescent lights. Mine were in the same place last year still getting the sun from a west facing patio door and reflection off of snow in addition to the T5 last year and I will likely do the same next year. Can't provide much more than that! Cattleyas bloom fine under T5 lights.

Cattleyas bloom under T5???
I might have to get that then. How much does running T5 influence the electricity bill? cheap like regular fluorescent?? hope so!!!

If catts bloom under T5, I guess that gives off strong enough light. but again, I'm not familiar with that at all.

[silken]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Cattleyas bloom under T5???
I might have to get that then. How much does running T5 influence the electricity bill? cheap like regular fluorescent?? hope so!!!

If catts bloom under T5, I guess that gives off strong enough light. but again, I'm not familiar with that at all.

As far as I know T5's are supposed to be more economical to run than the old regular T12's. T12's were supposedly going to be discontinued in N. America because they weren't so economical and that's why T8 and T5 are easier to find now. Anyways, they are 54w for a 4 ft one. They are what lots of indoor growers use and they are very slim and light so nice to work with.

[NYCorchidman]

I see!