A case for growing under lights YEAR ROUND . . .

[blackvine]

Originally Posted by bethmarie

Incidentally, I learned something from the plague of mites. Since I'm watering by hand, not hose, the leaves of plants mostly stayed dry. I started rinsing them off every other watering or so with the sink sprayer, and haven't had any more trouble with mites.

Bethmarie, good info! I usually try to stay away from leaves, but I do water with a hose, so it's tough to do that. Now, I feel better about dousing the leaves a bit!

---------- Post added at 09:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:19 PM ----------

Originally Posted by katrina

I have excellent conditions inside for growth during the colder months but during the summer months my inside is controlled to be comfortable for me and even though I can offer sufficient light inside...the outside offers more tropical conditions so naturally the orchids are going to do better out there at this time of the year.

I guess I'm lucky to have a room dedicated to orchids (and drawing and macrame), but that's out of necessity - to keep them away from my nibbling kitties! With the windows open in there and the vent shut, oh yeah . . . hot and humid, just like they like it. Needless to say, the drawing and macrame is done in there in the winter . . .

PS: 400 plants?? You are dedicated!

[blackvine]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

Even though I'm asking this information from Leafmite, what are the lights you use and what is your set up Blackvine?

Matt, I have 2 four foot, four bulb T5s in a small, 10 X 8 foot room with two windows. (Pic attached) The windows don't provide a lot of light because one is east facing with a tree in front of it; the other is north facing. I have my tall, high light plants under the top light, which is about 22" from the rack; and the short, high light plants under the bottom light, about 12" from the rack. In this picture, I had a 3rd T5 off to the side for the rest of my plants, but sold it when I brought my guys outside as I am "divesting" myself of about half my collection. I have about 40 left and plan to sell about 10 more.

As for heat and humidity, in the winter it gets to about 73F and 60% - 70% in there with a humidifier. In the summer, I just open the windows and close the vent and it gets hot and humid in there.

As for light - I start the year in January by keeping the lights on for 12 hours. Then, each month, I increase the light until I get to about 16 hours in July. Then, I dial it back each month to get to 12 in January.

The key that I've found is LIGHT. Lots of it. In January of this year, I had only 1 T5 with some of my plants under it, the rest AROUND it. Few blooms. I almost gave up, but after talking to folks at IOS and on this board, I realized I was far deficient in light. Got 2 more T5s and - miracle of miracles - almost ALL of my blooming size plants have at least put out sheaths and spikes! I even trialled putting my Phals and Paphs under those lights. Strangely, some did OK, some just turned PURPLE , and some started to burn. But . . . now I know which ones like what!!

[blackvine]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I will be trying lights for the cold season this year and I am pretty excited.

You will LOVE lights, Leafmite!!

---------- Post added at 09:56 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 PM ----------

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

I'm going to get LED lights from First Rays.

Matt, ditto to you what I just said to Leafmite: you will LOVE those lights!!

[katrina]

Originally Posted by blackvine

PS: 400 plants?? You are dedicated!

I think addicted would be a better descriptor. Some might even use the term...crazy. LOL!

I have just given away a bunch of orchids/plants...I'm looking to get that number back down to around 350...a little less even, if possible.

From a time standpoint, I should probably try to get back down to the 250 mark but I don't think I can bring myself to eliminate/give away THAT many this year. As they continue to grow I'm sure I'll have to downsize the number to accommodate the size so eventually I'll be forced to reduce the numbers ever further. Well...at least until I have that next...much larger...grow space.

[Leafmite]

Thanks, Blackvine! I am really excited! I took a close look at your shelves and they are exactly what I have been thinking of getting!
Katrina, I know how hard it is to get rid of them. I much prefer buying them.

[MattWoelfsen]

Thanks to you all, I now have a light stand and growing some of my plants in lights. A friend from my society was downsizing and she had this extra light stand complete with lights and two shelves. It is a bit bulky and the only space I had was my living room. So that is where it will be until I figure out a better place.