Creating a new setup

[NLN]

I have mini catts in an east-facing window with a set up similar to what you suggest (clamp reflector lamp with a 6500k 42 watt [150W equivalent] CFL) to provide supplemental lighting through our cloudy, dark winters. The lamp works like a charm, giving everything nicely red-tinged leaves. My plants are 6-10 inches below the light, and as others have said, anything that spikes gets turned a bit so the spike doesn't run into the lamp.

I think you'll just have to play around with the set up a bit: acclimate your plants to being under the light and then adjust the distance if the leaves aren't a color you like.

Good luck!

[The Orchid Boy]

You really should think about spending more for orchid care and maybe then a little less on orchids until your setup is satisfactory, that's what I did. I spent around $200 on setup- $100 4 foot 4 bulb T5s, $50 good humidifier, & $50 shelves and humidity trays. Now I have lots of room for lots of orchids and they grow so much better. I'm getting an RO system, tired of melting snow and collecting rain. Keep in that Phrag really NEEDS pure water. And I have lots a tall spiking orchids I just move them to a window or table when they get too tall for temporary display. I can attach pictures and give more info if you want...

[Cestrum0203]

Yeah I think I'll just bite the bullet and go with a bit more expensive light. Thanks for the phrag tip. I wasn't sure how important it was for them to have rain water. Is it that they don't like the chlorine and other chemicals in city water or that they like the lower ph of rain water?

[jeremyinsf]

They grow next to rivers and streams where they get a constant supply that's fresh. They want very pure water - nothing in it. Except they do need a small amount of fertilizer. Very small amount.

[gardengirl13]

orchidboy can you post a photo? I have the humidity trays, the shelves and just need to see what lights to get and how to set it up.

I'm not sure about doing 4 lights or two? Some plants will get big in a few years so I think 4 would be better, but I was thinking getting 2 2's one for each shelf. I'm still not sure yet.

[jeremyinsf]

There are lots of threads in this section with pictures of different lighting setups using T5's. Check them out.

[orion141]

There are some pictures floating around on this website and also via google. If I remember I can try to take a picture of my setup and post it tonight. Also I would recommend getting a 4 bulb system. You can get something like the hydrofarm FLT24 or FLT44 which allows you to only power 2 bulbs at a time if you need it, but from my experience and my plants I have needed the 4 bulbs (especially if you start to get more plants which has a tendency to be the case for most people). And to be honest its only like $30-40 for the 4 bulb vs 2 bulb fixture (vs the $80-100 if you have to buy another fixture).

[orion141]

Here is a picture of my light set up (sorry it took so long). Still working on bringing up the shelf level week by week (didn't want to rush my plants into new light).