Thinking of growing year-round under lights....

[Leafmite]

I have seen some of these types of LED's and I am very interested in them. How much area do they cover? What brand, exactly, did you get?

[Tetra73]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I have seen some of these types of LED's and I am very interested in them. How much area do they cover? What brand, exactly, did you get?

Around here in New York City, I could only get the Phillips 100w equivalent in your standard light bulb socket. Is a day light bulb but rated at 5000k. About $15 for 2 in Homedepot. I may have to stock up since each bulb typical costs about over $10 each. I have 4 of them and daisy chained in a 15" x 12" x 7" box shape enclosure/reflector. My dendrobium and oncidium are only less than 10" away from the it and they have been growing like crazy. I have my oncidium sharry baby for less than 1 month and I have roots growing out from the bottom basket and a little baby pseudo bulb is growing and about just under 1" tall. The dendrobium frost dawn is growing a new leaf every week. I could literally see the leaf growing daily. The roots are already growing with side growths as well. I have my dendrobium for over 2 months now.

[Leafmite]

Good to know! Thanks!

Sounds like your orchids are really happy!

[rockyfarm]

I am using bulbs I bought via Amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
These are the cool white; they offer the same brand in 2700k warm white. They use only 13 watts each. I put a pair (cool/warm) in each 10 1/2" reflector with an adaptor (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1).

I have them about 10" above my Phals. and about 3 to 4" above my Cattleyas. They produce nice looking light and quite intense, considering the power used.

Walmart.com offers the 10 1/2" reflector fixtures for only $8 currently.

[Tindomul]

Great links!

[Leafmite]

Thanks! I really appreciate the links. It is going to be really great to have some cooler options for the summer. The more fluorescent lighting, the warmer the temperatures so adding LED's to the mix is very appealing.

[Tetra73]

I thought I should add here...my dendrobium is slowly beginning to grow spikes by the nodes. Only the top 3 nodes have clear visible bumps, like something is about to penetrate through it. The lower ones not so, at least not clearly visible.

Yesterday I went to Home Depot to look for these cheap LED bulbs https://www.amazon.com/Philips-45660...ustomerReviews

BTW, our local Home Depots may have a different pricing. I bought these for $7.34 each. They are normally retailed for $10.

Since my middle light strip needs to have the bulbs replaced because they are more than 2 years old. You need a specific ballast to work on them. Some says you need a electric ballast but my 3 strips are using it. However, I couldn't get the bulbs to turn on UNLESS I mixed the strip with one LED and the other with the traditional fluorescent bulb. Is strange.

[Leafmite]

My Cattleyas have bloomed under my T5HO lights (and out of season) and the herbs are thriving (even the lavender and rosemary) so i feel pretty confident that this is going to work.

For ballasts, I would probably buy LED's that came with a ballast. I did that for the T5HO's and I just buy the bulbs that are the same watts, etc. I am not that confident in my ability to mix and match.

[Dollythehun]

Please don't get super technical with me. I need supplemental, attractive lighting. I saw this and could live with it.

ViaVolt 2 ft. 4-Bulb T5 High Output Copper Fluorescent Grow Light Fixture with Timer V24 KIT at The Home Depot - Mobile

[Tetra73]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

Please don't get super technical with me. I need supplemental, attractive lighting. I saw this and could live with it.

ViaVolt 2 ft. 4-Bulb T5 High Output Copper Fluorescent Grow Light Fixture with Timer V24 KIT at The Home Depot - Mobile

It could be a nice setup BUT, in my experiences with T5HO fixture using on my planted tank aquarium, they generate too much AND my electric bill was pretty high. I think t5 fixture should be enough and you are using more strips. I think with a T5HO fixture you are more than likely to burn plants if the distance to the plants is too close.