Setting up small growing area with lights

[June Bud]

I'm very happy with the lights I chose. They are Sun Blaze T5 - 44 (4ft, 4 lamp) High Output Flourescent. I got them from bestgrowlights.com and found their prices very reasonable and service very good. I also bought a couple of Air King 6" - 2 speed circulating clip on fans from them, and attached them to the shelf pole a little below the lights, so they blow air across the top of the plants. Good luck with your setup, whatever you choose.

[moblaxy]

Thank you both for your replies. I am still sorting out all the information I have read on this forum. There is much knowledge and opinion on these boards. Two more questions (I hope).....What types of orchids are you growing and blooming under your T5 set ups? Is there any decrease in flower yield by growing under lights? Basically looking for names or even just what type of light requirements your plants need (low, intermediate, high). Currently I have a small collection....1 phal, 1 Miltonia, 2 Oncidium hybrids, I'd like to add some Encylias, possibly some Catt hybrids and possibly others
depending on what is possible to bloom under these lights. Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

Matt

[josterha]

Originally Posted by moblaxy

Currently I have a small collection....1 phal, 1 Miltonia, 2 Oncidium hybrids, I'd like to add some Encylias, possibly some Catt hybrids and possibly others

Matt,

I currently use a similar light set-up. Except my lights are T8's and not T5's. The T8's will have less light intensity. I grow a lot of phal hybrids and paph hybrids and species. All of the plants seem to do fine with the lights I have. You should be able to grow Miltonia with no problem too. I have heard some reports of people also growing and blooming mini-catts and oncidiums. The tubes would need to be really close to the leaves of the higher light genera. Good Luck!

John

[quiltergal]

I'm able to grow and bloom just about anything under T5s. I have several Catts (standard, compact and mini), and all have bloomed regularly. Plants in the Onc. alliance bloom well for me too. I have loads of Phals and Paphs. too. Really the possibilities are endless.

[moblaxy]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

I'm able to grow and bloom just about anything under T5s. I have several Catts (standard, compact and mini), and all have bloomed regularly. Plants in the Onc. alliance bloom well for me too. I have loads of Phals and Paphs. too. Really the possibilities are endless.

Originally Posted by josterha

Matt,

I currently use a similar light set-up. Except my lights are T8's and not T5's. The T8's will have less light intensity. I grow a lot of phal hybrids and paph hybrids and species. All of the plants seem to do fine with the lights I have. You should be able to grow Miltonia with no problem too. I have heard some reports of people also growing and blooming mini-catts and oncidiums.
The tubes would need to be really close to the leaves of the higher light genera. Good Luck!

John

Terri and John,

Thank you both for your replies!! This was exactly the information I was looking for. Off to start building my set up. I'll post some pics when its completed.

Matt

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by boytjie

Hi, and welcome! I'm using T5 fluorescent fixtures. I have four four-bulb, 48" fixtures, one over each shelf. T5 bulbs are thinner than standard bulbs, and give off higher light output while using less juice. I got mine from High Tech Garden Supply: High Tech Garden Supply

I am also new to Orchid growing. I am wondering, can you buy T5 flourescent bulbs that go into an regular track light head? I don't have the long light fixtures-I have a regular track light system over my counter in my living room. My phals are currently on a raised humidity tray about 2 1/2ft from 4 bulbs, 65w. natural light bulbs. ???

[Phal grower]

Hi

I was just browsing the forum and saw some setups similar to mine. These shelves work great for me and I wrap mine in plastic to keep the humidity up. My three fluorescent fixtures, one T12 and two T8 two bulb lamps, are enough to raise the temp from 65 at night to 80 degrees daytime with no supplemental heat. I use two small fans to keep the air moving. I've only had this setup for a couple weeks and am still trying to adjust my lights to the right height. It seem some of my phals are getting a little tan so I moved the lights up a little for now. Anyway, I'll post some for you all and hope to continue learning. for now.

Mattman