T5 HO give up

[Nexogen]

Two years ago I bought from John Marcotte in Hamilton 10 cattleya walkeriana seedlings (initial, all having the same size) from which I kept some; I must mention that growing plants in 3 terrariums - same moisture, temperature, air circulation, watering regime, etc (+/- 5%) - except lighting.
In the picture you can see the difference; In the center is increased plant under Sun Blaster (6 X 39W) T5 HO 234W - 6400K and those on the sides are grown under induction light iGrow - 200W - 2200K Bloom.

I want to exchange T5 HO with LED light; blue 450nm, red 620nm, red 660nm, white 3000K and 6000K. Use white light in order to humanize color. I will establish spectrum ratio depending on the needs of plants and wife.
Ask those who grow plants using LED light to give me some suggestions.

[Mandy2705]

Interesting, I am planning on getting some lights for winter and this thread is very good information.

[katrina]

Just a thought...sometimes we get plants that don't grow as strongly as others in the group - even flask mates. I'm not sure I'd jump to any conclusions based on the growth rate of only one plant.

Are you seeing similar growth differences in other plants?

I've heard and read that LEDs are great...but I have been getting really good results w/HO T5 for several years now. I would like to switch to LEDs at some point...when the price comes down a bit more...mainly because then I won't have to replace them every year.

I don't know how many lights you'd have to replace but if it's a lot then I wouldn't rush to make a complete switch based on the growth rate of just one plant.

[camille1585]

I agree, if you want to draw any real conclusions you can't base your decision to switch to LED on just a single plant in each condition since you can't exclude the effects of natural variation between plants. I wanted to ask the same question as Katrina- how to you feel the other plants in the terrariums are growing under each light source? Do you tend to see, overall, more growth or more robust plants in the LED lit terrariums?

[Ray]

Not only are the statistics awfully "shy", even if the difference is real (as it may very well be), there are likely differences in the phosphors (spectrum) employed, the fixtures, and the PPF of each.

There is absolutely no reason any plant cannot be grown well under T5HO lamps, but we must keep in mind that not all "6500°K" lamps are the same.

And... cathodic fluorescent lamps age more rapidly than do inductions.

[Nexogen]

Although lamps are Sun Blaster, Ray is right(spectrum), today I bought two 39W T5 HO Aquatic Life - Roseate (650nm) to replace two 39W T5 HO Sun Blaster - 6400K (But do not give up the idea LED).
Walkeriana go weak with light T5 HO (the ones I use), incidentally I have another example; C. walkeriana x C. lawrenceana.

[Nexogen]

A year ago I bought $75 of Craigslist a device LED plant growth, device has 12 columns of LED, in total 246 LED X 3W which when buying functioned only six columns, three drivers were fuse burned inside (seller not knowing what is defective). I dismounted and repaired (I changed the fuse) and it works very well. The downside is that it has too much power, the upside is that drivers are dimmable. If I will be able to power the LED with 200-250mA [I actually managed to control it with (50-1000)mA I only need a spectrographs to measure the light spectrum wavelengths] without diminishing the light spectrum wavelengths will use it instead T5 HO (even if changing the lamps every 10 months only impressed by T5 HO plant is a Phalaenopsis equestris alba). And to make it affordable for me 3000K and 6000K will add High Power LED chip.
Device is 36" in length.

[Nexogen]

39W T5 HO thing Aquatic Life - Roseate (650nm) is not too kosher. Actually going to build an LED device, the 246 Red / Blue LED + White LED 'll use it in a terrarium and I still have a terrarium with T5 HO that I will upgrade to LED device built in "full" by me.
For now I'm in digging, looking for the physical side that I will mount the LED and will need to dissipate heat.

[Nexogen]

I know there are many who have success with T5 HO and I have had "success” and if there was nothing to compare can I continue with this type of lamp. As the end of my discussion related to T5 HO, I want to draw your attention to what you buy. Luminous spectrum quality of T5 HO can make less economically efficient than other light sources.

[Nexogen]

I rushed to misjudge T5 HO, anyway I will change the light source from T5 HO to LED but do not want to mislead people who want to use T5 HO; after I changed Grow Light Bulb 5400K SunBlaster with Aquatic Life - Roseate (650nm) is visible on the plants.

Current configuration :
4 X 39W T5 HO Grow Light Bulb 5400K SunBlaster
2 X 39W T5 HO Aquatic Life - Roseate (650nm)