Acclimation to new light system

[HereticHammer]

I have a Power Compact system (with very old bulbs) on my orchidarium but I will have a new HO T5 system arriving today.

I know to move the hanging plants down and slowly move them back up as they acclimate to the new lights but what to do about the orchids at the bottom already?

I guess I should put the lights on for only short periods at first but I don't know how slow to go.

Any suggestions as to what daylight period I can safely start with? Also, how long should I wait so that I know they are fine before moving up an hour or more?

Please post suggestion and if you have done this before I would especially like to hear from you.

Thanks so much.

[Ross]

Really, the only plants that need to be acclimated are those that will be exposed to light over 1800 foot-candles or so. The ones already near the bottom will probably get stronger light, but not dramatically so. High light lovers can go about 6" further from light than their final height then move them closer weekly. Sounds like a fun project.

[gjplaceres]

Jonny:

I live in Ohio and has the same problem. I fix the problem purchasing rubbermaid box. About 8 inches tall. My pots has like a inch of gravel in the bottom. I put all my pots in that box and fill with water until has like half inch and keep it that way all the time. So far all are very happy and growing.

[nhman]

A rather simple method is to use a light meter to determine what levels of light you have with your old setup and measure what you will have with the newer one.
The greater the difference, the more reduction in either "time on" or distance from the lights.
Hope that this helps - good luck!

[BigB]

For comparison, I am adding a 90W quadband LED light in an area that isn't really getting enough light. My plan is to start with the light at the roof (gotta love the low waste heat of LED) and work it down toward the bench over a period of weeks until my plants start to look happier. It will be interesting ot see how everyone does with a blend of quadband LED and coated MH. Depending on how things go, I may put it on a short track.