Growing Setup Advice/Thoughts
 

Here's a pic of my growing setup. Phals, Catts, and cats (Emma Gem). The top three shelves are 12" apart, leaving about 6" - 8" below the lights. The lights are 2' T-8 white full spectrum, running on a 12-hour timer. Temps at plant top height are around 73F.

1. Any thoughts advice on setup appreciated.

2. I'm wondering if the Catts would do ok under just one light strip.

3. I put a small humidifier in front of the setup, and the room humidity is slowing coming up; after 24 hours humidistat is showing 47%. I think that unit may be too small for this 400 sq. ft. space.

4. The purple towel at the top is for the cat, who mostly likes to sleep up there when the lights are on. But, being a cat, he deigned to nap elsewhere.

The Catts need more light than the Phals.

Not many people still use T8s. Roberta did at one time. I hope she responds. I seem to recall it's not easy giving many Catts enough light to flower with T8s.

I don't recall having many (or any) Catts under those T-8s, I was growing mostly Phals with a few Oncidiums and such, and there was also some natural light. My Catts lived outside (where they still do, it's warm enough where I live, they get nature's sun, is a LOT brighter)

And the fluorescent bulbs lose brightness in a year or so which isn't apparent to the eye. Use a lot of electricity, and get rather warm. . I'd suggest LEDs... Brighter and much more efficient. (My setup with those big fluorescents was almost 20 years ago... LEDs weren't an option)

47%RH is fine. Especially if you’re battling very low humidity from winter heating.

When our Santa Anna weather pattern drops the outside humidity to single digits, our humidifier struggles to keep the house over 40%RH. Normally the same humidifier can easily keep the house comfortable and can also over-humidify if I set it wrong.

If it’s staying above 40%RH, don’t bother changing anything.


Edit: I’m moving to WA next month!! Maybe we’ll be neighbors.

I think Barrina Grow Lights would be ideal for your setup. You can get a 4 pack on Amazon for $30 dollars. I think one strip per shelf will suffice. The LEDs use less electric than the T-8s, and run cooler. As Roberta noted, the fluorescents lose brightness and also full spectrum after about a year, the LEDs don't. Full spectrum lights are important for proper growth. If you want, you can add smaller LEDs when they spike to direct flower spike growth.

I use a large Levoit humidifier (pic) bc it lets you set the desired humidity and has to 2 nozzles to direct mist.

You may want to upgrade those pots to allow greater airflow. I just got one for spring repotting (pic). I've found airflow to be a big factor.

Best of luck!

your cat is lovely!

Meaning of T-8; T-5, T-12.
 

I did a little research on my light situation - interesting:
> The 'T' stands for tube.
> Tube diameter is measured in eights of an inch
> T-5 = 5/8" of an inch
> T-8 = 1" (8/8 = 1)
> T-12 = 12/8 or 1.5'
> T-8s can be either fluorescent or LED.
> My setup has full spectrum LED T-8s.

Welcome to the OB, MRJ.

I like your set up. It looks just like my first setup 5 years ago -- now I have almost 200 orchids and have expanded, expanded, and expanded shelving and lighting.

My mature Catts will bloom under 2 strips of T8 LED's, 12 hours per day. Phals bloom with 1 strip.

Beware of the Orchid "affliction". A few orchids leads to more, then more, then 200! (These fine OB experts were my "enablers"!!)

Happy Growing, ROBB

Thanks for the like. I'm aware of the 'affliction'. I'm only at 19, but wondering how to squeeze in a couple more. 😁🌼