Completely confused

[nibbler]

I am a complete beginner to the growing under lights. I have 1 dend, 1 cymbidium and 9 Phals. But I have ordered another 12 species. After very smart advice I was directed towards the baker culture sheets, which I now have for all but 1 I think and I have gotten an humidifier to help the situation. But my light meter only arrived last week. Now it was a gray day but we have loads of them in Ireland and right at the window I was only getting 1800FC of light. Given the species I have ordered on average like 3000FC I am now worried. I have 6 weeks to order and set up a lighting system to get the conditions correct. I cant really follow/understand the threads. While I dont want to spend hundreds of Euro's I will buy what I need. I have seen mention of reflectors, CFL's etc. What wattage of bulb would I need for 3000 FC? How long would the plants need under the lights per day. 6 hours more? Can you run these light bulbs from ordinary lamp bases? Can anyone help me please? All advice is welcome and most definitely necessary. I also know I should have done my research before I went on a shopping spree.

[trdyl]

What species did you order and what type of light fixture are you presently using? Also what is the bulb wattage and how many are in the fixture? I used to grow under basically a twin 40 watt shop light.

[Erce]

i grow chids needing 3000Fc and more under 4 56W fluencent light color 865 (Daylight) and have flowerd some (A lot of them are still to young to flower)
also, you can get 180W power-saving bulps on the net for arong 30 pounds! the help chids really kick off

it dont have to coast a lot to get it, you can find some realy good deals online

as for humanity, i grow all my chids in my home, and i dont use humanifier - i just have my plants on trays with lavarock and some water, this helps me to maintain a humanityzone on the 50-60%

[nibbler]

I am using no light fittings, I have a north facing foor to ceiling window and all my plants are sitting infront of it. I ordered these
Lepanthopsis astrophorea 'Stalky'
Maxillaria picta
Oncidium ornithorhynchum
Ornithophora radicans
Prosthechea cochleata
Prosthechea fausta
Sophronitis purpurata
Dendrobium farmeri
Bulbophyllum echinolabium
Coelogyne cristata var. alba
Paphiopedilum Gary Romagna x Angel Hair:

I have ordered a humidity reader as well to arrive at the same time as the plants. Some say they need humidity of up to 80% hence the humidifier. It was 40Euro anyway. So I can use a bog standard light just with those bulbs? Ok how long would I have to leave the light on for a day for the plants?

[trdyl]

The Bulbophyllum, Lepanthopsis, Coelogyne, Paph, an Phals should be fine as is. The others are going to need higher light to do well and flower.

Generally when growing under lights you are looking at 12 to 16 hours of on time depending on the season. 12 hours in winter gradually increased to 16 hours in summer.

You could try larger wattage CFLs which would fit a standard light bulb fitting. I am not familiar with bog lights.

[kinknstein]

I currently use a 4 bulb T5 High Output Fixture. It produces about 2500fc - 3000fc near the center of the light fixture, 6 - 10" below the bulbs. I use this for all of my Cattleya types, such as purpurata. I also have my Prosthechea cochleata under this light and it grows very well.
Aside from that, the list of plants you ordered are some really awesome ones!! The Prosthechea, Sophronitis purpurata and Bulb echinolabium are some of my faves!

[nibbler]

Thanks, I saw them and thought ooh I have to have them. Completely not thinking about their requirements. There are a lot of ones on my list but my boyfriend is having a heart attack about having 23 orchids in a 50sq metre apartment. I think I will get some miniature ones after these arrive.

I hadnt realised it would be 16 hours of day light. Wow thats a lot. Luckily he pays the electricity bill.

I will keep searching around and see what i can get in Europe. Thanks for the info.

[BioWheel]

Have you flowered the Catts under the 3000fc? Or are they just growing well?

bWheel

[calvin_orchidL]

Beware that recommended light levels for orchids are typically listed as the average high during a day of varying intensity. In other words, although catts are thought to appreciate 3000fc, 16 hours of 3000fc will probably be excessive. (the sun moves around the sky and light levels rise and fall)

Just a few tips which might help you digest the wealth of information both here and online:

Light tubes come in different sizes, described based upon the diameter of the tube. T12 = 1.5", T8 = 1", T5 = 0.5".

Compact fluorescents are the curly bulbs (compared to regular lightbulbs with the filament, also called incandescent). They have a listed wattage (how much power they actually consume) and a wattage EQUIVALENT (comparable light levels to an incandescent of said wattage). For instance, a CFL can be listed as 23watts, but as a 100W equivalent (ie it uses 23watts of power, but is as bright as a 100watt incandescent light bulb). Just so you know, a 100W incandescent is not bright enough to grow anything!

Light is emitted in various colour temperatures, measured in Kelvin. It seems like plants like around 5000K. Sometimes the number is not listed, and instead bulbs are described as warm or cool., or soft white, daylight etc... (aka not helpful information!) Check it out

So in the end, when choosing lights you must be aware of:
1) Wattage
2) Colour temperature
3) Type (CFL, T5, T8, T12)

It's an oversimplification, but it is sufficient in choosing decent lights. good luck!

[BioWheel]

Originally Posted by calvin_orchidL

Beware that recommended light levels for orchids are typically listed as the average high during a day of varying intensity. In other words, although catts are thought to appreciate 3000fc, 16 hours of 3000fc will probably be excessive. (the sun moves around the sky and light levels rise and fall)

Just a few tips which might help you digest the wealth of information both here and online:

Light tubes come in different sizes, described based upon the diameter of the tube. T12 = 1.5", T8 = 1", T5 = 0.5".

Compact fluorescents are the curly bulbs (compared to regular lightbulbs with the filament, also called incandescent). They have a listed wattage (how much power they actually consume) and a wattage EQUIVALENT (comparable light levels to an incandescent of said wattage). For instance, a CFL can be listed as 23watts, but as a 100W equivalent (ie it uses 23watts of power, but is as bright as a 100watt incandescent light bulb). Just so you know, a 100W incandescent is not bright enough to grow anything!

Light is emitted in various colour temperatures, measured in Kelvin. It seems like plants like around 5000K. Sometimes the number is not listed, and instead bulbs are described as warm or cool., or soft white, daylight etc... (aka not helpful information!) Check it out

So in the end, when choosing lights you must be aware of:
1) Wattage
2) Colour temperature
3) Type (CFL, T5, T8, T12)

It's an oversimplification, but it is sufficient in choosing decent lights. good luck!

I have a light meter and get 3000ft/candles and can't flower a Catt. Doesn't seem to matter how long I keep the lights on. They do look like healthy green plants though. Phals on the other hand flower beautifully and easily. Go figure.

I wonder how people with 'The Orchidarium' do? That system is sweet looking but imo - it doesn't have the oomph for high, light loving orchids.

bWheel