Lighting issues

[aries23]

Hey All,

Basically I need help with lighting. I cannot use my north facing windows in my apartment so please help!

I want to buy some orchids that say:

1-Intermediate to cool
2-Indirect light / slight shadowing.
3-some say 500-1500 fc and others say 1500-2000 fc

4-I would like to put a metal rack type of shelves in my kitchen because I am mostly in this area right next to the dining room so it will be nice to keep the orchids here.

5-If they say intermediate to cool which lights dont produce alot of heat.
6- how can I improve humidity my kitchen is open no way to close it.
7-exact products please
8-exact name where to purchase online or in store


Thanks again!

[Oscarman]

Hi aries23, please see my reply below...

Originally Posted by aries23

Hey All,

Basically I need help with lighting. I cannot use my north facing windows in my apartment so please help!

I want to buy some orchids that say:

1-Intermediate to cool
2-Indirect light / slight shadowing.
3-some say 500-1500 fc and others say 1500-2000 fc
A#1-3: How about Paphiopedilum and Phalaenopsis

4-I would like to put a metal rack type of shelves in my kitchen because I am mostly in this area right next to the dining room so it will be nice to keep the orchids here.
A: How about one of those light carts with multiple shelves. Not sure how much room you have, so mine is a pure guess. You could also consturct something if so inclined.

5-If they say intermediate to cool which lights dont produce alot of heat.
A: Most of these units use flourescent, so heat is minimal at best. If they use T5 bulbs the light output is bright and you could go with some mini cattleya type orchids.

6- how can I improve humidity my kitchen is open no way to close it.
A: many growers use cool mist humidifiers in their spaces and you could enclose the unit on 3 sides to help keep the moisture up. I know one grower who enclosead all 4 sides of his llight set up. **Each enclosure will need to have some fresh air and air movement.

7-exact products please
A: pls see #8

8-exact name where to purchase online or in store
A:Sorry not familiar with what's available in your area. One online source I have dealt with from my location is http://www.charleysgreenhouse.com/. They have several lighting products that could be used for orchid growing from high output fixtures to orchid houses, like a Wardian Case but much more modern.

Thanks again!

[grasshopper]

Beallara's are low light, intermediate-to-cool orchids and are (IMO) quite easy to grow. They are taller than phals and paph's, though, so space might be an issue.

I am currently using a metal rack that is 48" long and 72" tall that I purchased from Costco. They also sell 3-foot shelving systems, too, if you don't have that much space. I have 48" T8 lights on 4 of the shelves and use the bottom shelf for storage. I purchased the T8 fixtures and bulbs from a big box hardware store. I don't notice that these lights increase the temperature too much, and they seem to provide the lighting that my Phals and Beallaras like. I also have a few clip fans attached to the shelves to help move the air and disperse the heat.

Oscarman has great advice on enclosing 3 sides of the shelving unit to increase humidity, especially if you have the plants sitting on drip/humidity trays. I personally don't like the idea of enclosing the whole unit...I have air movement concerns with that idea, but that's just me.

Good luck setting up your growing area! I think it's a great idea to have them where you can enjoy them the most. Mine are stuck upstairs in my guest room (best lighting and I can close the door to keep the cats away from the orchids), so I have to make a special trip to see them!