Does this window need lights? And if so what kind?

[gardengirl13]

OK I'm getting worried that to turn our bedroom (east facing) window into a bay will cost more then our car is worth! Plus I've read you have to have like 18" min from the soffit to have one installed, ours is like 6". sigh. My dreams might be dashed, we'll see on Monday.

But I have this living room window that is just as big. Problem is we're used to 100% privacy in our last rental we lived in. This window is facing the street. But there are shrubs and trees blocking a good part of it. If we can plant more it might be ok. We have indoor shutters on it right now, even with them open to let light in it still feels more private then having the all the way opened like in these photos. When looking at the house from the street you really can't see in unless it's dark and the lights are on, and them the curtains are closed.

Now the other issue is it's north facing. In this room, it's a great room with dining and kitchen in the same space, it's also cathedral ceilings with windows up there too, a small kitchen window that faces west with orchids currently in it, and a huge slider in the dining room, also facing north.

So by looking at these photos, what kind of lights do you think I'll need? I love the idea of Ray's little LED ones that we can just buy a couple lamps with long arms and screw them into them and put the in the window. But I'm not sure that would be enough? The framing around the window is wood so we can screw in supports for longer lights. I was thinking 2 2' long 2 bulbs lights of some kind maybe? But if I also hang some plants they won't get any of this light. I could hang in the better light windows only I guess. Sorry I'm just thinking out loud here. So would those LED be good enough if it's supplementing slightly bright light? Now this room when the sun is out is quite bright. Mid day it's almost squinty bright. But not bright enough for orchids. It just reflects all over quite well.

Now before anyone asks, yes they are slightly lower light orchids, phals and one catt that says it's great for lower light windows. But the catt will most likely end up in the bathroom west facing window any way.

Here are the photos sorry about rambling so much, but I'm trying to avoid using the shelving unit we have since we don't have space for it without rearranging the entire livingroom/dining room. I'd rather save the electric bill and use windows, but I'm not sure that's possible yet. We'll see what everyone here says.







Now you can't see it here, but you normally can see a bit of a shadow in the window.

[Bud]

You don't need a bay window at all....you have sufficient window space as long as you know how to arrange your plants....hanging some of them might solve your privacy issues.
Unless you want to grow Vandas then your lighting is insufficient.
Orchids that need medium to bright light might survive in your care. Winter in your area is the brightest since foliage on trees are gone....in the warmer months you may want to put them outdoors under the shady tree.

[gardengirl13]

Here is the east facing bedroom window. I plan on hanging a few here. But that window gets good light.

The one in my first post faces north. Do you think it's ok by itself? I worry the plants won't reach their full potential with that direction of light.

and yes it's a large window! It's about 96" long with a wide shelf, so I assume I could fit all the orchids I just bought on it with room for them to grow no problem!

[Bud]

try a wooden tier or a metal tier from office supplies where you can have two to three levels where you can also arrange your plants.
My kitchen window is pretty much like that and I put the lower light loving orchids there.
Ideally, south facing is good for bay windows....

[GardenTheater]

If you are technical, you could try the free light meter app for iPhone and Droid. Measure at the brightest part of the day and use First Rays website to convert to Foot Candles. I grow in windows that have trees in front of them. When I added lights, I got more flowers on my orchids, but I started without lights.

[gardengirl13]

Today I got lights, they're 3' T5 single bulbs. We're going to look for "nicer" shelves since the more utility ones won't look all that great in the bedroom. For now we're going to put them on that shelf and see how it goes. My husband doesn't want the shutters off the window since they really do give us more privacy. If I put two lights together (they can be connected) on one shelf then put the plants on humidity trays under them it should be fine. I got sheers for the kitchen and bathroom windows and I'm guessing about 2-4 depending on the size will fit in each. The sheers give enough privacy to have them open all the time, plus block that harsh west afternoon sun. Then in summer when the summer is less harsh we can move them over and let the light come through better.

[LovePhals]

Post an update if you find some good shelving. I am also looking for some nice (probably wood) shelving for a bedroom for my orchids. I have a utility one now that isn't big enough!

[gardengirl13]

no problem!

[LoveOscar]

Has anyone ever tried the artscape privacy window films? You can get them in a white frosting and cut them to the size of each piece of glass. They should allow plenty of light through.

LO

[gardengirl13]

I posted about it, but in summer when the sun moves off the window I want it on I want to be able to move the curtain aside for more light. Can't do that with the film. I was thinking of doing it for the big front window, for privacy, but I need as much light as possible in a north window. Funny the lights we bough this weekend fit this window perfectly! Without really measuring. I bought them for the shelves, but they're so "utilitarian" looking my husband doesn't want to use them. He wants it to look more like a conservatory and less like a store. display.

Lovephals try wayfair, they have some ok looking stuff.

Another thing I may try is maybe a bakers rack. Then you have storage underneath for watering cans, misters etc...