Grow station purchase for phals/paphs- opinions wanted

[ladyslipper]

Hi all, I am looking at buying a ready made grow station for my phal collection. The dimensions for the two-tier model I am considering is 26" x 19" x 45" tall. The lights are 4, 24 inch & are housed in balasts. The company, Lee Valley Tools, recommend "Verilux® full-spectrum fluorescent lights as they have a high color-rendering index (94.5) and a color temperature of 6280 Kelvin, making them the closest match to natural sunlight of any fluorescent lights. Rated at 26,000 hours (which is about 10 years for the average gardener)".

I thought I would attach a plastic sheets to increase humidity on 3 sides with one at the front that would lift up for access. Being in that this will be in my living room, I really don't want anything too big and being that I have mobility concerns, I can't reach down to access plants on the lower shelf at the back. Is there anything else I should consider when buying this? How bout the lighting, is the light they recommend sufficient to grow phals or paphs? I will have to work around heat from the lights when attaching the plastic but I not so concerned about that. Many opinions most gratefully read. thanks - m

[smartie2000]

the lighting should be sufficent for paphs and phals. i grow most of my plants under shop lights attached to the wall...the holes can be patched up it will be fine.

Based on web info fluorescent lighting should be replaced annually, since the amount of footcandles produced does decrease with time. Also cool white will be just fine and they are the cheapest. I think the sylvania plant bulbs are great, the produce the blues and reds, so the tube glows purple. I see them for sale at The Real Canadian Superstore. Do not get the phillips plant light tubes from Home Depot since they only make red, blue is more important, and I wasted my money on them.

I use one cool white and one sylvania plant tube in my shop lights

I was also thinking of a plants stand I saw at home depot at $500 and it is three tier. it is very study and wide, the two tubes are placed farther apart from each other than shop lights. It will be appropriate for a large number of paphs and phals but maybe not for a catt.
Since the tubes are closer on a shop light, some people have grown compact catts under them, I do have some, and phrags too (two phrags are in bud, including one with caudatum influence which are higher light ones). I can tell there is good light since the catts get some red tinge on young growths and the leaf colour is appropriate.

[ladyslipper]

Originally Posted by smartie2000

the lighting should be sufficent for paphs and phals. i grow most of my plants under shop lights attached to the wall...the holes can be patched up it will be fine.

Based on web info fluorescent lighting should be replaced annually, since the amount of footcandles produced does decrease with time. Also cool white will be just fine and they are the cheapest. I think the sylvania plant bulbs are great, the produce the blues and reds, so the tube glows purple. I see them for sale at The Real Canadian Superstore. Do not get the phillips plant light tubes from Home Depot since they only make red, blue is more important, and I wasted my money on them.

I use one cool white and one sylvania plant tube in my shop lights

I was also thinking of a plants stand I saw at home depot at $500 and it is three tier. it is very study and wide, the two tubes are placed farther apart from each other than shop lights. It will be appropriate for a large number of paphs and phals but maybe not for a catt.
Since the tubes are closer on a shop light, some people have grown compact catts under them, I do have some, and phrags too (two phrags are in bud, including one with caudatum influence which are higher light ones). I can tell there is good light since the catts get some red tinge on young growths and the leaf colour is appropriate.

thanks for the feedback fren, i just might check out home depot as well. take care - m