Very small LED or CFL grow light?

[Fishkeeper]

The only heating elements allowed are those in coffee pots, and I was told that it's because otherwise "there would be a riot". No heated scent things, no matches, no candles lit or otherwise. Overzealous fire marshal being very certain that none of 50,000 students set any of the really old buildings on fire.

(there's nothing that says I can't put a few drops of essential oil in the bottom of a coffee pot and run hot water into it, though, that should have a similar effect)

[AnonYMouse]

They redesigned the shade but I use Ikea Tertial and this from Target with standard household 14W LED bulbs. I mostly use them as supplemental lights for a few hours but can be sufficient for some plants if you keep them close.

[estación seca]

They wouldn't allow any electric appliances at all in my dorm, other than the two desk lamps that came with each room. One of my classmates put a rice cooker on the counter next to the sink. The steam broke the (very large) mirror over the sink. He had some splainin to do.

[Fishkeeper]

I have a clip-on desk light that says it'll take 60W A-19 bulbs, would one of those in LED or CFL be enough for shade-tolerant species if put close?

[Fishkeeper]

Ended up getting a 100w LED bulb for the desk lamp. It puts out 5000+k and 1680 lumens, and I'm not sure what that translates to in terms of satisfying plant requirements.

With the setup I'll have, I can put a small plant just a few inches under the lamp, if needed. I figure I can angle the lamp so that I have one spot that's as high-light as possible, and then the rest will be varying degrees of brightness.

[estación seca]

Let us know how it works.

[Manu]

Hey fishkeeper!

I needed additional lighting and can say based on my personal experience that almost any "full spectrum" par30 e26 CFL bulb will provide good results for phals, paphs and other lower light orchids.. bulb should rest about 8 inches more or less from top of plants. I've grown and flowered all my plants under this setup.

I was using CFLs as I can't stand the purplish color emitted
by plant LED lights. I discovered just recently Ikea Vaxer LED plant lights, they don't look the pink purple as standard LEDs. Just did the switch over my shelves to the par30 e26 led lights. They are a lot brighter then my CFLs. It's only been about 2 weeks, everything is still growing nicely and plants are showing signs of higher light exposure such as red leads and roots... Goes for 13$CAD or 15$US a bulb.. I have them sitting higher then the CFLs for now and still giving more light. Also they are 10W vs 14W for my previous CFLs.. see attached picture. Top is Ikea bottom is CFLs. Hope this helps :-)

[Fishkeeper]

Very nice, thank you for the suggestion!

So far, the lamp seems to be working. I have a Pinguicula emarginata putting out new growth under it, though it's too soon to tell if it will have any color. Everything else on the wall is lower-light and seems to be doing fine.

Build thread: Miniature living wall build thread! - Dendroboard

[Orchid Whisperer]

If extra light is needed, get a desk lamp that accommodates bulbs with a standard screw base. You can get 3000K LED bulbs that will fit such lamps (Lowes and probably other places), that will augment whatever comes in your window.

Surely the electricity police won't dis-allow a desk lamp for a student?

[Fishkeeper]

I currently have the wall under a desk lamp, like I said, and it's working out so far. 5000K, 1680 lumens, and it looks like it's enough light for my P. emarginata. Too early to tell if the ping will stay colored up under this light, but everything is growing under it.