New member in a light challenged home

[herr alexandre]

Hello all. I just signed up for the board because I have much to learn. I have five orchids now (2 phals, 2 phrags and 1 Cattleya) and all are in my northern facing windows. I know it's not great, but it's all I've got. So I'm learning about lights and incandescent and fluorescent and LED and light meters. The phals are doing well. I'm working on the phrags and the catt. Right now I'm using plant lights (to be precise, they're actually reptile warming lamps from the pet store) with 60 watt Agrosun Day Spot Grow Bulbs. I'm trying to find more information on other spotlights as I don't have the space for long fluorescent bulbs. So that's my introduction. I'm sure there are other forums that will have more information on artificial light, but this seemed like the right place for an introductory post. I look forward to chatting with you all.

[bballr4567]

I'm in the same boat as you. South and north windows only. I sprung for a HO T5 2FT. light and the the orchids are loving it. Well worth the $40.

[camille1585]

Welcome to OB!
Incandescents are terribly inefficient lights, not to metion that reptile warming lights probably do little in the way of getting plants to grow. If you don't have space for tubes, you really should consider using CFL bulbs. They can pack quite a punch in a space space.

[ElenaMarie]

You've come to the right place, Alexandre! Someone here will be able to answer anything you need to know.

[ElenaMarie]

Originally Posted by camille1585

Welcome to OB!
Incandescents are terribly inefficient lights, not to metion that reptile warming lights probably do little in the way of getting plants to grow. If you don't have space for tubes, you really should consider using CFL bulbs. They can pack quite a punch in a space space.

Would the heat put out by a reptile light have possible impacts on the plants?

[camille1585]

It depends what sort of orchids you are growing, and if they are used in a somewhat enclosed set up, and depends of course if you need to heat the area or not. The heat isn't so much the problem if it's an open area, but like I said, it's the most inefficient type of bulb you can use for plants.

[herr alexandre]

The reptile lamp (Fluker's clamp lamp) is pretty much the same as a plant spotlight. It's the bulb that makes the difference, which is why I'm looking for something other than incandescent. Thank you for all of the recommendations.

camille1585, I had never heard of CFL bulbs. That looks like it could work and I think it would fit into my current lamp. Do they give off both red and blue light? I know some LED bulbs are good and give off both red and blue, but the one I've seen (Sunshine Systems Grow Spot with Mixed Spectrum) costs about $80. Eek!

[camille1585]

You can buy a full spectrum bulb (great for plants) and they screw right into a standard lamp. However the standard wattages for homes aren't strong enough for plants, and depending on the distance your lights are from the plants, you can get anywhere from 55W to 105W bulbs. One no longer active member supplemented his windowsill growing area with 2-3 coily 105W CFLs, and got great blooming.

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board.

I can't help with the light issues I'm afraid but just wanted to say

[herr alexandre]

Thanks Camille, I'll definitely check these out. This is for supplemental light, so I think it will help even if it isn't quite strong enough. Thank you for the alternative to the very expensive LEDs. That would have required too much rationalization on my part. Now I can save the rationalization for the next time I think "I don't really neeeeed this orchid, but it's so pretty!"