my set-up

[Becca]

Originally Posted by help

Do you know what the technical name for them is? Because I'm pretty sure it's not " cfls in a round fixture " there has to be a more technical name for them, right?

Thanks again for all you help. Maybe I should just break down and get a light meter, that would take alot o confusion out of it!

cfl's are short for compact florescent lights, give that a try.

[Becca]

Originally Posted by help

How sure are you that I need more light or suplement? Would it be safe not to buy any suplemental lights until after I get a light meter, I think I sold myself on one. If I got one though, it would be at or after the OS show. That's the weekend before halloween though. Would it be safe to leave them as is until then? If I bought more lights, it would probably be at or after the show anyways. As long as you think they can survive until then.

Well I've never used T12's, I just know that they do not put out as strong of light as T5's and a lot of people have a hard time getting vanda's and other high light loving orchids to bloom under them. I think the next step up from T5's are something like the metal halide lights or high pressure sodium lights, but some of those systems can cost a pretty penny, and I think some put out some serious amounts of heat as well. Before buying additional lights, why not run what you have for a year and see what happens? If your orchids aren't receiving the proper amount of light for one year, it won't kill them, they just many not grow properly or bloom. Why not experiment with what you have so you will know from personal experience.

You can buy a light meter, but personally, I never use the one I have since usually I can read my orchids light needs by their leaves and I can get a paph to bloom at what my light meter reads 800 foot candles....and according to all the guidliness that is really low foot candles for what is recommended for a paph, and that is why I don't use mine.

[nenella]

Originally Posted by help

i have moved the phals closer to the lights. they are around 10" away from the lights

i put together my phal shelf a while ago, and i just put together my shelf for higher light chids, like catts. but i dont think they are getting enough light. they are around 3" away from the tubes

Hi Help,
Good start!
Your shelves in this pic are exactly what I was thinking of to fit alot of my plants in front of a couple of sliding/window or patio doors. Could you please tell me: Where did you buy them & how much were they?
I just did a very quick google search for some in Europe but haven't as yet come across anything that looks like yours..Ideally I'd like white ones and with wheels on but I know I can always paint them & fit the wheels...
If anyone in europe can point me to a site where I can get some I would very much appreciate it.
Many thanks in advance

[Call_Me_Bob]

you can buy them with wheels and you can get them white, but idk about the combination. this is a link to the one i got, except mine was black,

http://www.lowes.com/pd_71034-80752-184874C_0_?productId=1098557&Ntt=chrome+shelf&Ntk= i_products&pl=1&currentURL=/pl__0__s?Ntk=i_products$rpp=30$No=30$Ntt=chrome%20 shelf$identifier=

i know your in europe, but this should get you started good luck! if you havent already, i recomend reading what becca said, because she has some very good info about t5s