When is it time to move them under lights?
 

Just as the title suggests, I am wondering when it is time to move my 'chids from the windows to under lights.

I've got five phalaenopsis, three cattleya hybrids and an oncidium intergeneric. For the moment, they seem to be quite pleased by the light they're getting, but then again, I'm not the plant so I don't *actually* know.

They are all in western facing windows, and I have definitely noticed the sun is getting lower and lower on the horizon - it's whipping around under the trees where it used to be higher and is pointing more direct light at my windows. Thankfully, there are some large trees outside where the phals are so they are not being hit quite as hard, but they're still getting more light than they are used to, I'd imagine.

So when is it the right time to move them under lights and away from the windows?

Typically, if you have to ask this question, its time to move them. ;)

Do you already have a light set-up? Or? Other than your timing question, I'm wondering more about what you plan to do? Have you had them under lights before?

I have not even been collecting for a full year. I do not have a light set up, we need to build one. All I plan to do with them is try to get them not to die. And maybe even bloom for me. But mostly I just want them to not die.

ETA: This is my first winter with orchids.

They probably aren't going to die without lights - many (most) people do not have a light set-up and grow orchids very successfully. I'm sure though up north, you are getting a lot less light, and it's going to continue on that path for quite a while!

Having said all that - I grow most of my plants under lights and think it can be (sorry for the pun...) NIGHT AND DAY in terms of the growth seen, blooming, etc. My electricity bill is higher and it's taken up some space for the light rack, but I no longer keep fresh cut flowers in the house and have offset the expense that way. I love my lights and think they are well worth it.

What lights are you considering?

We were considering a few of Ray's LEDs because I'm not a mass collector like most of the people on here ^^; My fiance is an engineer so I'm sure he'd like the task of building a structure for each type of plant (since phals need less intensity than the cattleyas do) lol. Plus they won't be a huge suck on the energy bill, which is important, since our new apartment is crazy inefficient and our bill over summer even keeping the temperature at 85 degrees has been ridiculously high. :(

You made me smile, and laugh!

It sounds like you know enough to get started. The sun is moving fast - so I guess to answer your actual question, the time to -start- might be now, and when you are ready, the plants will thank you for it!

Excellent, thanks! :) I will mention it to my honey when he gets home from work. He never turns down the opportunity to be a mad scientist.

If the sun is very low in the sky when its light hits your orchids, it's unlikely to do any damage, even to phals. It's quite weak and spread out by then.

I agree. I have my Phalaenopsis in a southfacing window in the fall and winter that gets direct sunlight most of the day. I check the temperature of the leaves just in case but they don't ever get very warm.

My windows are double pane and there is a window screen on one side so that may be helping.
I don't have them sitting right against the glass either. They are back at least 6 - 8 inches but they still are getting direct light.


Maureen