Looking for information on DLI

[lisawysong]

Hi, I have been growing my orchids under light for some time now. and have been mostly guessing the DLI of my orchids by extrapolating from a Phal DLI of 4-10 and going up from there. I was just curious if anyone knew of any new research on the DLI of different species of Orchids, or even if anyone has some anecdotal evidence on their experiences with DLI and growing various species?
Thanks

[WaterWitchin]

I have not a clue what DLI is, but I'm bumping this up for ya. Perhaps someone who knows lighting will chime in soon.

Oh Bill?? Where are ya buddy?

[Ray]

DLI = Daily Light Integral = the number of PAR photons the plant must be exposed to over the course of a day in order to grow and bloom properly, expressed in moles.

It is meant to be a way to quantify lighting better than existing measures.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Ray

DLI = Daily Light Integral = the number of PAR photons the plant must be exposed to over the course of a day in order to grow and bloom properly, expressed in moles.

It is meant to be a way to quantify lighting better than existing measures.

Well of course Bill! Around here, we just whack the moles that show up.

[terryros]

Low light orchids are in the 4-6 DLI range and high light orchids (Cattleyas) are in the 10-14 range.

You need a light meter that measures the peak photon density in micro moles/meter squared/sec just in the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) range (400-700 nm). Look at the Apogee full spectrum as an example. DLI takes the number of seconds of light in the day and multiplies times the peak photon density per second.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by terryros

DLI takes the number of seconds of light in the day and multiplies times the peak photon density per second.

If it's continuous, artificial light, it's that easy - photon flux x time - but for natural light, you either estimate it as a triangular function with the highest measured flux of the day, or you have to take periodic readings and integrate them.

WW - aren't you glad you asked?

[WaterWitchin]

Oh come on Bill! I was just bumping someone up who wasn't being answered and hollering for help for someone who could answer. I already knew it would get more complex than I could handle.

Triangulation? Photon flux? Is that like a flux capacitator? I hear they can run on beer cans and banana peels now....

[camille1585]

I agree with terryros. I had looked this up for work purposes and came up with a DLI of 3-5 for Phals and other low light plants, and 10-12 for high light orchids like Catts.

If you don't have or have access to a decent quality quantum light meter, you are probably better off determining your light levels with more traditional units (eg lux or fc).

---------- Post added at 09:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:49 PM ----------

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Oh come on Bill! I was just bumping someone up who wasn't being answered and hollering for help for someone who could answer. I already knew it would get more complex than I could handle.

Triangulation? Photon flux? Is that like a flux capacitator? I hear they can run on beer cans and banana peels now....

I live and breath this stuff for a living, as I have to determine optimal growth recipes (light included) for a large number of crops in indoor farming conditions.

Have a look at this article, I think it explains things in a way which should be palatable for those who know little about the topic.

About PAR, PPF, And PPFD - Fluence By OSRAM

[estación seca]

My neighbor asked to borrow an avogadro for making wacamole.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by estación seca

My neighbor asked to borrow an avogadro for making wacamole.

This stuff is interesting!