phals under T8 lights
 

I have a potting bench inside the house to place my orchids inside during the winter. It has to shelves and I place 4 T8 bulbs (6500 and 4000 K) to light my phals. My light meter reads 500 foot candles at the top pf the leaves. I know it's not enough, but at least they won't freeze outside. What do you think?

You could put the trays on some blocks to raise it up a bit. I have phals about 6 inches under the T8's and they do fine.

Bill

That's a great idea. How long do you run your lights for?

I run the lights 12 hrs on, 12 hrs off. I used to vary the length by season, but I don't see any benefit in it. My plants don't seem any better or worse if I give them 12 hrs or ramp it up to 14 in summer.

Bill

If you consider that most phal species are from tropical zones, if not pretty much equatorial, on time=off time seems logical.

I wouldn't be too concerned with the light level either. I was in a phal greenhouse of a vendor once that was SO coated with algae that it took me 5 minutes for my eyes to adjust to the darkness upon entering it. It contained some of the most beautiful plants I have ever seen.

I read the below and it made sense to me, but would like to know what you think.

Intensity ( Artificial Plant Light | Everything Orchids )

One great thing about growing orchids under plant lights is that the light intensity does not need to be as high. The reason is that artificial plant light is very uniform. No matter how rainy or cloudy outside, or how short the winter day, your plant light is available as soon as you (or your timer) turn it on. Moreover, reflectors and reflecting surfaces make the available light more efficient, as well as allow the light to reach the underside of the leaves. Furthermore, you can expose your orchids to longer hours of light to compensate for the lesser intensity. Generally speaking, you can provide 10% to 20% less light to your orchids when grown under plant lights.

I have a few Phal's that will actually flower under that light. I have two T8 fixtures a shelf with a soft white and cool white florescent. I found it helps cover both spectrum's of light better than a "full spectrum" light. (and cheaper).
I would suggest adding something underneath them so they are closer to the light. The hard part is when one starts to spike, and the other's don't. Then you have to figure out how to get light to all of them! (I also grow some succulents this way in the winter, they don't enjoy it much, but it keeps them alive and healthy, just kind of stretched out).

I grow all my orchids under 3 shelves that have four T8 bulbs on each shelf during the winter and some all year long. I bloom Phals, Catts, Laelias, Aerangis, Angraecum, and a mix of others under these lights. I put the plants as close to the bulbs as possible without burning them.