Which light? - Orchid Board

tedro · #1 01-12-2020, 01:04 PM

Hi,
I have one orchid: Orchid 1 - Google Photos

I put it by a window all day and move it under a lamp from sunset to midnight for additional light.

I would like to stop the routine of moving it.
My ideas are:
Get a light with a timer and either move orchid permanently to table and use lamp as main light all day and turn it off during night — although there are other ambient lights in same room — incandescent lamp and tv.

So that will the now expanded hours to more “daylight hours,” maybe a few extra hours, and mostly from lamp.

The gist is: tired of moving it twice a day and have not enough (I’m guessing) sunlight to leave it window only.

First I thought I’d leave it by window and add light simultaneously, if there’s a way to get it to the table with a light with a timer...

What light should I get and how many hours should it be on?

Thank you!

ps. I only need one light — I see nice dual-headed ones, but I only need one!

...with a timer that has a battery!

Ray · #2 01-12-2020, 01:30 PM

It is a phalaenopsis, so is not that demanding about light.

An articulated desk lamp with a LED floodlight bulb would be more than adequate, and you could put it on a plug-in-the-wall timer.

12-14 hours per day is fine.

Of course, depending upon which way the window faces, you may not need to supplement the light at all.

tedro · #3 01-12-2020, 04:02 PM

Before I posted I got this lamp for the bulb i had been using at night. (attached images)

To enjoy more of its beauty, I’d like to move the orchid permanently to the table in the pic.
A lamp just like the one you posted is what I need, got a link, please? — i could time it for 7am-9pm.

Lanai faces south/southwest — late and final sun streams in onto the leaves (see floor shadow last pic)
EDIT: why don't i use lanai? in short, well, i don't. end of story.

I just yesterday started not moving it to the table lamp until midnight please see pictures of that in this album Orchid 1 - Google Photos

So, acclimating it day 2 with supplemental light during day hours (attached pics). To reiterate, I'm thinking I'd like the "perfect" clip/clamp on and go to mostly all lamp by moving to that table permanently.

Also, I should post this elsewhere but if anyone is watching this, I think it really needs repotting. Should I do it or wait flowers completely gone? As you can see in that album link, I got a bonus growth of flowers going on.

camille1585 · #4 01-13-2020, 01:37 AM

You could also keep it simple, and leave the plant on the table to enjoy it while it flowers. A couple weeks of less than optimal light won't harm it, I do that all the time with by blooming orchids. Once it has finished flowering, you can move it back to the window.

Ray · #5 01-13-2020, 08:08 AM

I was at Lowes

Roberta · #6 01-13-2020, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedro

Also, I should post this elsewhere but if anyone is watching this, I think it really needs repotting. Should I do it or wait flowers completely gone? As you can see in that album link, I got a bonus growth of flowers going on.

Phals don't seem to mind getting repotted in bloom. Since the flowers last such a long time, if it needs it do it - if you wait until the flowers are completely done, bad medium can damage a lot of roots.(That could be several months) Just handle gently, don't worry about getting every last bit of old medium off (just take what comes off easily) and repot. If that decorative pot has no drain hole, it would be better to not use it. If it is in one of those flimsy pots with just a hole in the bottom, this would be a good time to move it to something better - several holes in the bottom, if there are slits on the sides even better. Good drainage and the opportunity for air to reach the roots are the goals.

I totally agree with Camille, put it where you can enjoy it while it is in bloom. Once the flowers are done, you can put it where the light is more ideal to get it to bloom again next year.

tedro · #7 01-13-2020, 04:40 PM

Thank you all, very much. It’s been quite the addition!
I best be getting to repotting it now — this is scary.

tedro · #8 01-13-2020, 09:06 PM

Check out my repot video!
first repotting, teacup phal

Thanks all!

tedro · #9 01-13-2020, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roberta

Phals don't seem to mind getting repotted in bloom. Since the flowers last such a long time, if it needs it do it - if you wait until the flowers are completely done, bad medium can damage a lot of roots.(That could be several months) Just handle gently, don't worry about getting every last bit of old medium off (just take what comes off easily) and repot. If that decorative pot has no drain hole, it would be better to not use it. If it is in one of those flimsy pots with just a hole in the bottom, this would be a good time to move it to something better - several holes in the bottom, if there are slits on the sides even better. Good drainage and the opportunity for air to reach the roots are the goals.

I totally agree with Camille, put it where you can enjoy it while it is in bloom. Once the flowers are done, you can put it where the light is more ideal to get it to bloom again next year.

Great advice, thank you, Roberta!

tedro · #10 01-15-2020, 11:09 AM

Well, I repotted. And I’m changing the light schedule a bit — still normal daylight hrs next to glass door, but instead of putting up and under the lamp (some pictures if that in here: Orchid 1 - Google Photos), new way attached below.
I will supplement peak daylight hrs with lamp, I’m thinking lamp ON at 11am to 3pm, maybe longer. ?