Cattleya lights - Orchid Board

tyme2shine · #1 10-10-2009, 11:41 AM

After a week spent informing myself about lights and changing positions of my plants I think this is the best solution of my new little greenhouse.

What you think about it? I have to make 2 addictions:

1- At Phalaenopsis’s shelf: put that green net to better exploit vertical space (so I can hang up Phal schilleriana and mariae that you can see on the ground)

2- At Cattleya’s shelf: put a decent light condition because light is the only problem I have with cattleyas.

So I’m here to ask if someone can tell me something about Cattleya lights. I grow Laelia purpurata var tipo, Laelia purpurata var carnea, C dowiana aurea, C maxima, C warneri… they all have new growths
I was thinking to put just one of those energy saving lights like this:

So what do you suggest? What voltage?

thanks to everyone

johnblagg · #2 10-10-2009, 03:36 PM

I use a 250 watt hps light at 20 to 24 inches away from the top of the leaves you could always get a 100 watt hps to use if 250 watts seems to much for you. They do add some heat but not that much with smaller wattages

LVA · #3 10-11-2009, 10:11 PM

Hello, I have this exact same "greenhouse" - isn't it nice?! for the last two years I have grown my Dens & Catts under a T4 (hung from ceiling - apparently T5 is better however). The CFLs I use are 75W and 100W. MY lower shelves (Phals.) have a T2 w/CFL bulbs in small lamps alongside, and they have done okay. After reading all the wonderful info. from the experienced growers here on the Orchid Board, I feel I need more light, so I have ordered several ex. large Fl. bulbs from EBay (u can't find these in the stores here in my neck o the woods). Another Orchid Board member has them, I saw them in her pics, they are very large and one set has it's own lamp w/reflectors. Good Luck, I'll check in on ya again soon!

tyme2shine · #4 10-12-2009, 03:40 AM

@ johnblagg i really think it is too profesional for me

@ LVA do you use just 75 or 100 W for Catts? I grow also 2 Laelia purpuratas so they need more lights than th other catts..

Anyway now I try to look for the lights you suggested just to have an idea...how much did you spend for you light solutions?

Thank you so much

johnblagg · #5 10-12-2009, 08:29 AM

They are not that expensive If your a little creative

the box stores will carry them in the lighting section as area lights and now days you can get 100 watt hps and mh lights for under 100 US

the hps pole lights that look like street lights will work also but you do have to modify them a little sometimes

stefpix · #6 10-12-2009, 10:38 AM

what about CFLs? T5?

johnblagg · #7 10-12-2009, 11:07 AM

Cfls are great T5 I have never tried myself but they are supposed to be great also.

I just happen to have high pressure sodium and really like them ...I do use cfls in the same room too but just for general lighting and I do use a high wattage cfl for that.

Hps does sometimes need a supplement for the blue spectrum but so far my catts are doing really great under just the hps

LVA · #8 10-12-2009, 10:41 PM

The CFL's I have used since the summer of 2006 are 75 and 100 watt in lamps bought at Home Depot/Lowes (2 lamps placed at each side of the greenhouse), and two T4 and T2 lamps overhead (top is hung from ceiling and another in middle shelf) and again, they have bloomed and grown okay. I want my orchids to do GREAT however, so now, I've revised my light design by changing to larger CFL lamps w/reflectors, adding more humidity, along w/a small fan that runs 24/7. Put lights on top and the middle of your greenhouse and even on the side and I bet your plants will do good. I'm not really a beginner, but no where near a pro, just a lover of plants of all types and I read a lot. A little about me, the way I got started w/Orchids was I read several books first, then went and purchased one Phal. @ a grocery store, got it to rebloom and went from there. In addition to my Orchids, I have a Cactus, Succulent and African Violet collection. I'm a certified master gardener too. Good luck, I look forward to seeing the wonderful progress I'm sure you will make! Take care, LVA

tyme2shine · #9 10-14-2009, 05:23 PM

ok thank you so much! I really didn't think I could read an answer so specific! Now i try to put some light on my greenhouse! I really thank you!

nhman · #10 10-14-2009, 09:00 PM

T5's will give one excellent and very bright light.
I grow under banks of 8 T5's (4 Foot long tubes, mixing the output color temps to get a good mix of both growing and flowering). New bulbs produce very high levels of light - enough to cook some plants (I've accidently done this by the way!). Even high light requirement orchids seem to be growing happily and blooming with regularity. Hope that this helps.