Do I have enough light?

[elibrown81]

I'm sure that this is an extremely common question, but I didn't readily find a detailed answer. I currently have 4 orchids-One Paph one Aliceara and one Miltonidium and one that I think is an oncidium var, but with out a bloom I am a bit unsure. They sit next to a 6 foot by 6 foot east facing window. However, being in Spokane, Washington the sun in the winter and early spring is very far south, and I don't get much, if any sunlight. So, this winter I purchased a floor lamp, partly for decor and partly for the Orchids. It has three 45w incandescent bulbs at different heights. Are these lights doing any good for my orchids, or are they just "dressing-up" my living room? Follow up question- what is the preferred set-up for those of an economical leaning? (read: cheap)

[Orchidophile]

I would replace the incandescent bulbs with CFL (the twisty ones) and maybe put a grow bulb in there too. How many hours of sunlight do you get through that window?

[elibrown81]

Right now I am getting around 3hrs of full sunlight, and as summer approaches that will increase to around 5. As far as CFL's, do they produce a "color" of light that is better for the orchids? Or are they superior because of the lower heat output and power consumption?

[Orchidophile]

The CFL's provide the same colors as normal florescent tubes do, the incandescent do not provide nearly as much because all the energy is turned into heat.

[elibrown81]

So, you get more light per unit power consumed......better bang for the buck, so to speak.

[Orchidophile]

pretty much, and they last years longer than incandescent.

[Royal]

CFLs are good advice. The bigger the better. I would also (once you get the CFLs) position the lights a little closer. That's another advantage of the CFL bulbs. You can get the plants a lot closer without the heat. Light intensity drops rapidly with every inch of distance from the bulb.

Nice display! I see some room for more...

[Ross]

Let me add that you should get a "full spectrum" CFL. These are sold as helpful for Seasonal Affective Disorder. They are supposed to replace sunshine in a human's diet. Try this spot 2 to 200 Watt Compact Fluorescent Bulbs : 1000Bulbs.com The Light Bulb Superstore. for decent prices and lots of sizes. Get the brightest one that will fit your fixture.

[elibrown81]

Thanks for all the good advise. I am pretty sure know that I will have to increase the amount of light, at least for the winter. I checked again today, and my window will provide sun in the summer from sunrise through 1130am.

[greggnkay]

We are relatively new (1 yr) to orchids. Currently we utilize a bay window with east, west and north exposure. The light seems to be okay with varied intensity due the 3 exposures. I am thinking of adding CFL to supplement, especially this fall and winter. How close to the plants should the light be? Are all CFL's appropriate, or are there certain manufacturers or types? Thanks in advance.