2ft 4-bulb T5 HO system- is it enough?

[Read25]

Hi everyone,

I would like to start a small orchid grow area in my basement (it receives virtually no natural sunlight). I currently have a phal and phrag. In the immediate future, I would like to expand my collection to include another compact phrag, a paph, a smaller catt, and a Brassavola. I’ve been reading different threads but would appreciate some direct opinions about a light setup.

I would like to start small and am primarily looking at EITHER: a 2 ft T5 HO 4-bulb system (24 watts/bulb) that claims to emit 7,200 lumens, OR 2 separate 3 ft 2-bulb T5 fixtures (not HO, 21 watts/bulb) from Home Depot (cheaper and gives me more square footage, but the mount doesn't have special reflectors).

The big question I have: will I get enough light from these systems to bloom these orchids?

I recognize that it doesn’t give me much space to work with, but my idea is to get my feet wet with this smaller system and eventually scale up. If I did end up going with a 48” T5 HO system for a mixed collection, however, how many bulbs would I need (would 2 be enough)?

Thanks for the help!

Anne

[Reptile]

I'm not experienced myself, but from the information I gathered (I too had to buy lights), the 2 ft fluorescent lamps are not OK, since fluorescent lights give less light towards the end of the tubes. So you should start with 4 ft tubes.
As to T5HO vs regular, I would recommend HO. A lot more light.

[stefpix]

fluorescents make my Phals and Spathoglottis and Dendrobium Hamana bloom actually

[OrchidSue]

Catts and Brassavolas need more light in order to bloom and grow well. I use 4 ft 4 bulb T 5 HO fixtures with my plants and grow mostly Phals and Paphs. I switched from T12 about a year ago and the difference is pretty amazing. I would recommend the 4 ft fixtures because you will get more light and you will undoubtedly want to expand your collection .

Susan

[Becca]

Yep the 2 ft bulbs for T5's have about 2000 lumens per bulb, the 4ft T5's have about 5000 lumens per bulb. If you have the space I'd recommend the 4ft bulbs. There are 2ft light fixtures that will hold 8 bulbs giving you about the same lumens as a 4ft fixture with 4 bulbs.

[stefpix]

how many lumens for the 3 ft 21w T5s that they sell at Home Depot with a fixture?
considering.
how many foot candles equivalent?

[Becca]

Originally Posted by stefpix

how many lumens for the 3 ft 21w T5s that they sell at Home Depot with a fixture?
considering.
how many foot candles equivalent?

I'm not sure about the one's at home depot, I'd have to look at the packaging. It will or should list it on there. I was able to find a 3ft T5 bulb in 39 watts and the have around 3,500 lumens per bulb. Buy 39 Watt 6500K high output T5 Fluorescent Grow Light Bulbs Here!

[stefpix]

wonder if it is safe to run a 39 W tube in a fixture maybe designed for 21 W. although that sounds good.
I also have 2 southern windows so i dont need too much after all.
how much was shipping for those HO T5s?

[Becca]

not sure about the shipping price, I only know it's free when your order is over $75.00 I think. Not sure if I would recommend using a 39W bulb in a fixture designed for a 21 W.