I'm in Europe, but live at a latitude comparable to yours, even a bit further north I think. I can grow almost anything in the south and west windows that I have now, including a couple Catt hybrids. In my previous apartment I grew on an east facing windowsill with 1-3 hours of sun in the morning, and back then I had Phals, Paphs and a few Dens and Oncs. All did well on that windowsill. In the winter I did supplement a few of the higher light orchids with a small fluorescent fixture, and I doubt I was getting anything near the 2000fc of your lights!
About your concern over light levels, think about how light levels change in nature. It starts out dim, gradually increases, peaks for a while, and then decreases. So the daily average is not as high as you'd think. Then consider lamps indoors: you may be supplementing 'only' say 1500fc, but that light level is constant for as long as you have the light on.
Also, if you got a cheap light meter, readings may not be that accurate. Second point, unless your plants are within a couple feet of the windows, light levels will be low regardless of exposure and latitude, as light levels drop off really quickly as you get further away from the source.
My suggestion: forget the scientific approach. Instead, listen to and watch your plants. Are the plants you have already blooming and growing well? Are the ones under lights doing well? Maybe you only need lights for a few higher light orchids, and maybe only part of the year. Go ahead and try new plants! At first limit yourself to 1-2 plants of a new alliance, grow them for at least a couple months (or as long as a blooming cycle) and if they do well, great! And get more
Orchids on the North Coast
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