First time under lights.

[baulou]

I have recently set up an area between my wardrobe and a wall that I'm using for growing orchids. The staging is a steel framed open shelving unit on wheels, and it fits neatly in the space.

On top of the staging is a double tube light used for marine aquariums giving 6,700K of light. On the walls are four slimline fluorescent natural daylight tubes giving 5,000K each. These tubes are placed vertically on the walls, to illuminate the staging from the sides. There is a supplementary clip on lamp for the lower plants. On the bottom shelf is a humidifier. Currently in Japan, where I live, it is very dry (30-40% humidity in winter) and I am maintaining around 50-55% in this environment. A fan a little way away from the staging helps to circulate air.

I would like to know if you think the set up is going to work. I have Epidendrum/Encyclias and some Paphs on the top shelf, Paphs on the middle and Phals on the lower level.

[baulou]

Anyone got any thoughts/comments on this setup?

[fernando saavedra]

HOLA, TENGO APUNTES MUY BUENOS PARA PONERLE LUCES A LAS ORQUIDEAS, SEGUN LOS COLORES LA PLANTA REACCIONA EN FLORACION Y CRECIMIENTO.EL TEMA QUE SON VARIAS HOJAS.POR FAX TE LO PUEDO MANDAR.

UN ABRASO
FERNANDO

[johnblagg]

I see no reason why it would not ....might need a touch more light on the bottom shelves but that will be have to be determined by how they do.

[kavanaru]

It should work pretty well for the plants... the only concern I would have, would be how accesible your plants are in that setup... how much "extra" work would it mean for watering and checking your plants from time to time...

keep us in the loop with the progress

[baulou]

Thank you. I will keep you updated.

[Blueszz]

Looks good to me. I think by time you will see if this is sufficient or too much for some plants. I'm growing under lights for now almost 6 months and sometimes I tweak the setup to better suit the plants.
However this is a great way to use the narrow space! The idea of tubes vertical is great in my opinion.

Phalaenopsis doesn't need a lot durign growth, growers in NL use 500-800 lux during growth, more when the plants are spiking.
I had them under 500-800 (depening on where the were under the lights). When spiking I put them closer to the lamps (pot height elevated by placing them on an upside down pot) and I got some burns on the leafs (Phal. equestris affected).

Watch the plants and they tell you if they like it :-)

[baulou]

Thanks Blueszz. Great advice. They are being watched daily!

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by Blueszz

When spiking I put them closer to the lamps (pot height elevated by placing them on an upside down pot) and I got some burns on the leafs (Phal. equestris affected).

Interesting, I normally do the opposite as I had buds blasting earlier.. As they get closer to teh lamps, it becomes "too hot and dry" for them..

[Blueszz]

Hi Ramón,
my growbox is sort of closed with 2 running fans. My lights are very intense, I think they give more light than T5 and I still have more than 500 lux about 60 cm away from the lights. (The lights I use)
I use the ballast to increase the temperature in the growbox. The growbox is 1.4 m x 0.5 meter (height = 0.6 m ). The ballasts are just below the lights. The fans blow from above in the left and right corner.
I only have 2 x 36 Watt running in this box. When I used 3 lamps I was burning the plants. I was advised to use 4 x 36 Watt in this box but no way! I even burn Den. Phal type under 2 x 36 Watt if the plants are not of the compact type.
I have no problems with the buds, only on a white flowering NOID I noticed a bit of pink on the buds.

The fans I use are 2 x 12 Volt computer fans, most of the time running at 12 V.

I only make sure the spikes don't touch the ballasts but because I only use 2 out of 4 I have no problems with arranging the plants properly. Currently 26 plants under these lights, small and large... and a bottle with deflased seedlings.

Nicole
PS I think the fans running at 12 Volt each in an almost enclosed area prevents hot spots in the box?