Lighting what to use and were to buy
 

I don't think that the sun is enough for my Orchids. There are trees around the house and cast shadows so only a little bit of light gets to them. What type of light should I start using and were should I buy them. Only have a few plants right now so don't want to spend that much on a lights just yet. Any suggestions?

would buy T5 tubes of CFL at Home Depot. If you have a better budget go to an hydroponic store and buy T5 fluorescents. bright and efficient.

What would be a hydroponic store? If I go to Lowe's I can get any type of fixture that takes T5 bulbs? Thanks a bunch for the info.

Lowes is more or less the same as Home Depot, but I feel the latter has better fluorescent selection...
Hydroponic store sells stuff to grow plants hydroponically indoors. They have more efficient and brighter lamps. Most likely lots of people go there to buy stuff to grow marijuana indoors. Probably if it is good for hemp it is good for orchids.
google is your friend. if you want to spend 80/100 $ and have fancier lights go to the hydroponics store

I will stick with with going to Lowes. Did not know they were that much. Will go to Lowes and find out what I can find. Thanks a bunch. How long of the day should i have them on, or should I turn it on when I wake up and off when I go to bed?

I think they have better and cheaper T5s at Home Depot. I got these timers at Ikea. 2 timers for 5 $.

At Home Depot you can get a fixture that includes 2 tubes, 3 ft for soemwhere around 30 / 34 $. you need to buy the wire to connect to the outlet and that is $6.

you keep them on depending on how much natural light they are getting, how far... i woudl say 12 to 16 hours.

In my opinion, the T5's that are sold at Home Depot or Lowes are not that sufficeint for the lighting needs of many high light orchids like Cattleya. Check out this website: Buy T5 Fluorescent Grow Lights. They have great prices and quality light fixtures. I have a New Wave 2ft 8 bulb fixture. Clearly by looking at the link I provided the 2 ft bulbs are not as strong as the 4 ft bulbs, so if you have the space get the 4ft light fixture. Also check out Ray's website for inexpensive but good quality T5 lights as well. That is were I am planning my next purchase from....the quality is very similar to the New Wave brand and his prices are much cheaper...here is a link to his website: https://www.firstrays.com/cgi/cart/c...exact_match=on. Hope this helps!