Need extra lighting help

[Phal_momma]

I have my Orchids in my north facing slider doors. I get by pretty well I think with my location for them. They bloom twice a year for me. And seem to be healthy. But while at an Orchid show, I sat in a class called orchid 101. The guy had discussed lighting and watering and what to look for. While my leaves seem to be healthy, they are not as long as the previous leaves. Which supposedly means, lack of light. I would like to try harder at giving my orchids better growing conditions for where they are.

It's winter where I am, so it's not the sunniest time of year either.

Can anyone help me out by suggesting what I should do for extra lighting?


Here is a pic of my set up.

[rbarata]

It would be useful to know where you are.

[Phal_momma]

I'm in Michigan.

[rbarata]

Carol (dollythehun) lives in Michigan. She's a very active person in these forums so you might get some help soon.
I can't give you help because where I live the climate and light are completely different from Michigan.

[Dollythehun]

Hey, Phal_momma! Yep, that looks like the upper Midwest! In fact, my phals are in a north facing greenhouse window. They get a touch more light than yours.

You could go a couple of different ways (in my opinion). You could just go buy a couple clip on gro lights and supplement, or you could put an LED strip up high and let it shine down through. You could put some higher light needs plants toward the top.

We have some very knowledgeable people here. They won't agree with this, however we also have a Phal grower who told me that any extra light is beneficial to all to the plants. For me that has proved true.

Your other option is to understand the guy who gave the lecture also has an opinion, he could be wrong. Your plants are blooming in the dead of a dreary Midwest winter, and that alone is cause for celebration. Good job!!!

If you hang around us, eventually you will be buying lights because you'll want to Branch out. I love these:
SunBlaster LED Strip Light Selection - SunBlaster Lighting

Hang on because you're gonna get a lot of opinions after mine. Lol

If I may ask, where are you in Michigan?

[Mountaineer370]

I'm in Michigan, too, and I don't mean to minimize your concerns, but, gosh, it sure seems like your plants are healthy and happy. I would be thrilled to have my plants bloom regularly twice a year. In the photo you have posted, it looks like almost every plant is in bloom. That may be a north window, but it is a large window. Mine are in a south window but it's smaller than your doorwall window.

That said, I cannot fault anyone for wanting to learn and improve their growing skills and maximize their environment to be optimal to the plants they grow. You will get lots of good lighting suggestions here.

[Dollythehun]

Don't they look good, Cheri?! I'm proud of her!

[Phal_momma]

Thanks! I'm in Portland. What about you both? Either of you near by?

[Dollythehun]

You're off 96 on the northeast side of the state? Mountaineer is closer to you. I'm just off 94 at the tip of the lake about an hour from Chicago.

[camille1585]

It sounds and looks like your plants are doing just fine where they are! Such gorgeous blooms.

Leaves being shorter than the previous ones can be caused by many things. I was was always told that in low light Phal leaves tend to grow bigger to compensate for lower light levels (larger surface area to 'catch'light with.