Distance from T5 HO lights

[RNCollins]

Hi! This is my first time growing under lights.

Generally how much distance do you keep the orchids from the lights?

I have one shelf with Paphs. And Phals.

And another shelf with Phrags, Catts., Milts., Neos

What do you think would be a good distance?

Thanks for you help.

[AvantGardner]

I grow multi paph seedlings about a foot under 4, 2' T5 lights to the top of the leaves. They seem to like it.

[RNCollins]

Originally Posted by AvantGardner

I grow multi paph seedlings about a foot under 4, 2' T5 lights to the top of the leaves. They seem to like it.

Thanks for the reply Avant Gardner.

How long do you leave the lights on?

I have 2 Rows of three 4ft T5HO. I also get natural light during the day.

Here is a picture of what I have...
(Not my plants, from the website)


image by cponsolle, on Flickr

[AvantGardner]

I change day length with the seasons, in 5 min increments, between 11 1/2 to 13 hours. Growing catasetums, I like to simulate seasons as much as possible in an artificial environment. You have the added bonus of natural light, which changes in length, intensity, angle in the sky, etc...

---------- Post added at 08:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:35 PM ----------

I change day length with the seasons, in 5 min increments weekly, between 11 1/2 to 13 hours. Growing catasetums, I like to simulate seasons as much as possible in an artificial environment. You have the added bonus of natural light, which changes in length, intensity, angle in the sky, etc...

[Leafmite]

I just started growing under lights this autumn. I bought a wire shelf with four shelves. The upper shelf just holds a set of lights and so I have three usable shelves for plants. The Cattleya shelf (with an Aerides and a Angraecum mag) has fifteen inches for the plants so the Ang. almost touches the lights and the Catts are just three inches below (I have small Cattleyas and seedlings).
The second shelf has about seventeen inches and those are other high light plants. My neos are there.
The third shelf is set up for my lower light plants. There is twenty six inches of space so they are quite a bit further away from the lights. I don't grow paphs and phrags but this is where my phals are.
On the side of the shelves, I hang my mounts, vanilla orchid, and Burr. Nelly Isler. Beside the shelves, I have some pond plants I am wintering over for my tub garden.
Here are two pictures to give you an idea:

[Leafmite]

I would definitely follow AvantGardner's instructions for times. I set mine for thirteen hours and my Cattleyas are growing out of season and two of my neos that usually rest during the winter are going to bloom. My orchids think it is summer.
The fixtures are 4bulb, 4ft Envirogro with T5's, 6500K.