Question on light for Phal's
 

Hi, I have 2 phals that are doing well but not blooming. Last nite I read the sticky on light but didn't quite understand it all. :blushing:

In Minnesota I need all the light I can get so today I looked around and found a 22" 75 watt florescent light. Do you think this will work?

I also found this frame with instructions I thought I could build if you think it is worthwhile. :thanx:


http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/fac...s/frylitel.jpg

Google Image Result for http://www.lewis-bins.com/global/images/part_class_images/thumbs/t63-inch-high-chrome-plated-wire-shelving---four-shelf-units1441-9518.jpg

you could get one of these

and use the same light you have, hang the lights from the bottom of the shelf about the plants

This brings up a question I've been mulling over for a while.

I'm looking for a light supplement for some of my light-loving orchids, and I have tons of stands, umbrellas, and fixtures from my side job (I do hair and makeup on photos shoots), so I was going to set up a grow system. Looking online, I was considering getting a bunch of Ott-Lite's, which claim to be full-spectrum for plants. However, I was under the impression that just about any mid-range Kelvin CFL was full-spectrum (I have bulbs from 3500 to 6500K laying around everywhere). Can I just use my photography bulbs for growing, or is there something special and worthwhile about the Ott-Lite's and grow bulbs in general?

Thanks as always for the wealth of your superior knowledge!
-Jen

im just starting with lights, so i cant help you


btw. the fc for phals should be 1,000-1,5000 fc

I hope I'm undestanding you correctly that the light would work?

Thanks!

yeah, use the flourescent light you have

Ever consider using a Wonderlite. Give it a Google. I've been using the same bulb for two years now and all my plants love it.

looks cool! but do they come in flourescent lights? i have a light hood already

I'm thinking of trying the CFL's I have, and if I notice no favorable difference, then buying the grow lights. Also, the Kelvin rating of lights is just a measure of the temperature (aka warmth or coolness) of a light, not the light output, which can be measured in foot candles. My Phals are pretty set where they are with low light, so I think they're fine.

I wish I had a hood setup and the space to make a real terrarium, but I don't, and I think my husband would divorce me if I tried. Maybe I'll sneak it in while he's deployed in Iraq next year. :biggrin:

lol! Mine isnt in a terrarium