Need Help Brainstorming Lighting Set Up

[Becca]

Hi Everyone!

I'm getting ready to move and I have a room designated for my orchids at the new place. The room is 11' x 11' and has what I consider a small window facing east. I have my large orchidarium and a small converted exo-terra terrarium for my orchids and a fancy wood plant stand with a light on the bottom shelf. I would love to get my orchids out of their orchidariums so they would have some room to grow! I would plan on using a household humidifier for humidity if I could get it to maintain a good level with the door closed. But I feel I cannot stop growing in the orchidariums because I know the one east facing window is not going to be adequate for the collection. I have been tossing around the idea of installing lights, and still using my my T5 lights in my orchidariums in the room. But I think installing an adequate amount of T5 lights would be rather spendy but I'm not sure what my options are. I've seen articles on the lights that move slowly across a room or greenhouse...but I don't really know anything about them. I'm not even sure what to do for shelving...just a flat bench of shelves or should I do racks? And that would effect the lights I would buy. I'm trying to make due with the room for a year or two until I could afford a greenhouse so I would prefer not to have to spend a ton of money on it. It would also effect weather I carpet (if I left the plants in the orchidariums as is) or if I put something down like tile or vinyl flooring in that room. Eventually the room will be a babies room down the road...when I get a greenhouse that is So I'm turning to my large OB family for some help on what my options are. And it probably helps to know that I grow a little of everything...catt's, neo's, paph's, phrags, phals, and other odd's and ends..lol...you get the picture! So can someone please help me with some recommendations? I'd prefer to keep it under a few hundred if possible...lights rack and everthing...if I'm not dreaming to much TIA!!

[johnblagg]

Just a couple of high intensity discharge lights would light this space with no problem,but they will heat it up also so in summer cooling would be a issue while using them.

I use two 400 watt Metal halide lights in a room about the same size but I have a small ac unit in a small east facing window in the room for cooling.

If you go to a electrical supply store you can buy the ballast and sockets for these lights way way cheaper than buying one assembled.....but they will not be pretty

[Becca]

How much do they run on average? How hot do they get compared to a T5? How far a way can I hang them from my orchids, like a Cattleya? And would two be enough for my collection? The other light bank I would be using is a 2ft 8-bulb T5 fixture that I currently use. I would still use my other lights in the orchidarium for seedlings and mounted plants that need high humidity...i just want to give my other 'chids some room to grow...currently...if one blooms I will be screwed! Also, that is why I am concerned to try growing on racks like I have seen pictures of here on the OB. They look beautiful but I don't think it would be able to provide enough height?

[Ray]

Becca, HID's are VERY hot - the exposed bulbs are a real burn hazard. By contrast, you're T5's are icy. However, you do get the most light for your utility dollar - once you get over the investment in equipment. Go to http://www.hydrofarm.com to see some.

Because of their light intensity, you can also keep them farther from the plants.

I agree with John that it would only take a couple for that room, but you need to think about your overall scheme.

1) You will continue to use the enclosures for some plants - maybe you should consider which will be best enclosed, and which will be OK out in the room (you won't be able to keep the RH as high in the room as you can in the cases). Those plants will already have light.

Then there's the remaining ones - consider grouping them by light- and temperature needs, then think about what you might do for each.

I suspect that having a number of individual flat benches, each having its own lighting might be appropriate.

If the room is intended for plants, don't carpet it. You can always add it later, but you don't want to have to replace it due to the fertilizer dye stains and insecticide mists.

[trdyl]

As said above T5s are going to be the least costly to run. To keep you cost down you could build your own benches or racks.

[Becca]

Yes I love my T5's I have now. The New Wave brand is around $269.00 each for a 4ft 4 bulb. I see Ray has some for sale by Hyrdofarm that are much less expensive. I'll have to do some comparison...I could afford to buy a few at the price Ray is offering...but I still have to buy a new RO system for the house we are moving into as well. Moving to a new (but old) house really seems to eat money up fast! LOL.

Ray....good point about stuff getting on the carpet...I was just more conserned about moisture and humidity. Hubby doesnt' think we should put the money into tile for flooring if this will be a temporary thing (a year or two). So I'm trying to talk myself into going with vinyl flooring in that room and just carpeting after the greenhouse comes along.

Guess this weekend I'll need to do some comparing on lights!