T5's worth it or not

[Cheddarbob14]

I'm looking for a bakers rack to move all my orchids to, as there current spot is overflowing. Was thinking about mounting some T5's underneath the shelves for some additional ligting. The area gets "pretty good" light in the SE corner of my house, but I have also added some higher light orchids recently. Just thinking about some big box T5's to supplement, and help show off my orchid resume' when we have people over. Worth the cost and minor rigging? I've never used anything other than mother nature so any advice appreciated!

[gerneveyn]

I have a very similar setup on 2 racks. The second shelf has 2ft 2 bulb T5 hanging from the wire shelf above, and under this I have bloomed mini Cattleyas and a Dendrobium. The bottom 2 shelves each have a single cheap clamp on lamp from Home Depot with a CFL bulb. This is where the Phals grow and bloom. I have a 4ft 4 bulb T5 mounted to the underside of an Ikea table. Under this, I have grown and bloomed Catts, Dens, Oncs, an Ascf, & a Clowesia. I am happy with my indoor arrangement, but this is the only way I have been growing lately.

[Ray]

I think your plants might be happier long-term, under plant-specific T5's, but that's more the case as a sole light source, not as much so with supplemental light.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I use fluorescent T8s (daylight, 6500k, from big box store (Lowes) - bulbs & shop light fixtures) and they are pretty much my only light in the winter. The plants do well. I think the T5 bulbs are supposed to be more energy efficient than the T8s, but not as energy efficient as LEDs. The T5s will probably be good for supplementing your sunlight, especially if you have orchids with higher light requirements.

My next shelf of indoor lights will be LEDs. I want to research 100 W LED floodlights available from big box stores, see if the spectrum is appropriate for plants. Cheaper than grow-specific lighting, but if the spectrum is not right, it would not be a good choice. I will post a separate thread about it at some point.