Lights for growing cattleyas

[peters]

I'd love to hear an update on this...I am in nyc also and am in the process of planning to setup lights.

Originally Posted by stompy

Just to update everyone on my situation. I tried the sunblasters and they do not put out enough output for my use. I realize now, going through the thread that most people use sunblasters to supplement sunlight. In my case my windowsills are in heavy shade for most of the day. I did some research and figured that I needed at least 4 sunblaster lights running to get the kind of output to grow Catts. I ended up buying a COB LED light from Timber. The cost was cheaper than what I would have payed for 4 sunblasters. Still substantial (for me at least) but I figured might as well do it right. I'll update the thread with some pics once I have the entire thing setup

[stompy]

Originally Posted by peters

I'd love to hear an update on this...I am in nyc also and am in the process of planning to setup lights.

I have another light on order coming in next week. I will post a pic of my setup then. The light I have is fantastic. The plants are responding well and everything is a nice healthy green. I ended up badly burning a few leaves too. It's really super bright. It also does not put out any heat so I can touch the fixture after it has been on for 12hrs straight. Highly highly recommend these newer LED COB's

[peters]

Which model are you using?

Originally Posted by stompy

I have another light on order coming in next week. I will post a pic of my setup then. The light I have is fantastic. The plants are responding well and everything is a nice healthy green. I ended up badly burning a few leaves too. It's really super bright. It also does not put out any heat so I can touch the fixture after it has been on for 12hrs straight. Highly highly recommend these newer LED COB's

[aerides]

[QUOTE=stompy;880012]Just to update everyone on my situation..... I did some research and figured that I needed at least 4 sunblaster lights running to get the kind of output to grow Catts. I ended up buying a COB LED light from Timber.

Stompy: I'm very grateful that you posted about Timber. I'm so excited by what I found on their website that it makes me wonder if I need a Real Life. But nevermind. I jumped the gun a few days ago on having a completed setup, and ordered a seedling Catt. trianae on faith. Now I think I might actually have a chance of bringing it along. Thanks.

[stompy]

[QUOTE=aerides;886282]

Originally Posted by stompy

Just to update everyone on my situation..... I did some research and figured that I needed at least 4 sunblaster lights running to get the kind of output to grow Catts. I ended up buying a COB LED light from Timber.

Stompy: I'm very grateful that you posted about Timber. I'm so excited by what I found on their website that it makes me wonder if I need a Real Life. But nevermind. I jumped the gun a few days ago on having a completed setup, and ordered a seedling Catt. trianae on faith. Now I think I might actually have a chance of bringing it along. Thanks.

These lights really are fantastic. I have now sucessfully bloomed multiple Catt hybrids and even a Vanda. Very happy with them

[aerides]

Stompy, did you go for the 3500K?

[stompy]

Originally Posted by aerides

Stompy, did you go for the 3500K?

I bought the 3500K also yes. I have both 6.4K and 3.5K lights running now. Some of my plants get mixed light the others get only one type. Overall all the plants are happy. I don't think the color temp effects things all that much.

[aerides]

Thanks. Good to know. I have to live with the lights that my "bedroom" collection receives. Done a fair amount of reading. One of the more trusted sources stated that 3500 has "plenty" of blue spectrum for plant-growing purposes. I'm using 3000K general floods and stuff is growing. Those plants are at a window (albeit a shady one) but it should help with blue anyway. Thanks for getting back.

[stompy]

Originally Posted by aerides

Thanks. Good to know. I have to live with the lights that my "bedroom" collection receives. Done a fair amount of reading. One of the more trusted sources stated that 3500 has "plenty" of blue spectrum for plant-growing purposes. I'm using 3000K general floods and stuff is growing. Those plants are at a window (albeit a shady one) but it should help with blue anyway. Thanks for getting back.

I think the spectra depends on the LED type that's used. So you can have 2 LEDs that arecolor balanced to 3.5K but puts out very little blue vs the other puting out more blue. Check the spectra of the LED's. I made sure to check the timber ones before I bought

[aerides]

Originally Posted by stompy

I think the spectra depends on the LED type that's used. So you can have 2 LEDs that arecolor balanced to 3.5K but puts out very little blue vs the other puting out more blue. Check the spectra of the LED's. I made sure to check the timber ones before I bought

This answers a question I've been holding onto for quite awhile. Thanks.