Update on Wardian Case LED Light Set Up

[DesignerofBeauty]

Hello Everyone,

About two months ago I wrote a post inquiring about proper lights for a Wardian case. I wanted to post an update about my setup and (what I believe to be) successful use of LED lights.

I ended up purchasing two "Reptile Lamp Stands" from Zoo Med:
Reptile Lamp Stand | Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

In addition, I purchased two "Deep Dome Lamp Fixtures", also from Zoo Med:
Deep Dome Lamp Fixture | Zoo Med Laboratories, Inc.

I also purchased two 100W LED bulbs: https://www.homedepot.com/p/EcoSmart...SD06/303574533

This combination of fixtures/stands has been great for my setup. The stand is great since it is height adjustable, allowing you to adjust the height of the light as needed. The dome has a great reflector that directs the light on the orchids, rather than all around your living space. This is great as the orchids are in my bedroom. This is a contrast to my T5HO fixture which can be blinding at times.

Since these domes take E26 bulbs, I'm able to use household LED bulbs (with 5000k color temperature). I currently use EcoSmart 100-Watt equivalent bulbs. Which provide 1680 lumens on 15W of power.

I've included pictures of my setup in this post.

While I'm here, I would like your opinion on something. I called an orchid cultivator inquiring about an orchid suitable for my setup. As you can see in the larger Wardian case, I have a piece of ghostwood standing vertically. On that piece of ghostwood, I have an Ascocentrum garayi. The Ascocentrum is developing quite a bit of purple anthocyanin spots. I know this orchid can sometimes receive these spots in adequate light. However, the uppermost leaves are 95% purple. To help shade the plant, I inquired about another high light orchid to place above it. The gentleman on the phone informed me that the lights I use are WAY too bright for my orchids, and that they need to be placed four feet from the ascocentrum. I informed him that where the orchid is, it receives 1900fc, a little more than half of its light requirement had it been outside (according to my light meter which may underestimate readings). According to Andy's Orchids, Ascocentrum garayi likes 2500-3500 fc. The cultivator told me that 300fc would be sufficient and that a 7W LED would be fine. This advice has me wondering if I'm doing this all wrong. His advice strongly contradicts my research I've done on this forum and other orchid websites. If anyone has input, I'd greatly appreciate it!

P.S Sorry my images are sideways, they are right side up on my computer. Not sure why this is happening...

Thank You!

[Ray]

It looks nice, but considering your bulbs are not 100 watt LEDs, but 15.5 watts, I seriously doubt the lower plants are getting enough light.

Concerning the light requirement, the recommendation you read is likely the peak, noontime intensity. When grown under constant artificial light all day, you should shoot for about half that.

The pigmentation of the ascocentrum suggests it's a bit strong at the moment.

[DesignerofBeauty]

Hi Ray,

Thank you for your response! Yes, I'm sorry, I should have wrote 100W equivalent.

I have another piece of ghostwood coming in the mail that I'm going to attach the lower orchids to. This will allow for more light.

I'm glad my suspicions were correct. I always knew to half the intensity. I am confused as to how this cultivator believes that an ascocentrum would thrive off of 300fc of light.

[Ray]

Survive? Possibly.

Bloom? Not likely, or if so, sparsely and/or very infrequently.