Arizona heat vs in house Orchids

[tomkat]

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

A lot of people grow under lights, even in basements. I don't know much about it myself as I've not needed them. But take a look at the posts in our lighting sub-forum, and hopefully others will be able to advise.

Growing Under Lights - Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web !

[Discus]

Yes, growing under lights is certainly an option. What kinds of orchids are they (so perhaps people can give you opinions on what sorts of light might be appropriate)?
You may also be able to find a way of mitigating the heat without recourse to blinds or shutters etc while still allowing enough light in, possibly with special glass products (like these) or films. (or even aluminized shadecloth!).

[tomkat]

Oh my! Thank you Rosie...I was so thrilled for my first reply...and to others. Indoor lighting is my issue for the duration of the summer.5 months where outside temps can range from 100 to 127! and dry! Needless to say my babies are in the house w/ air conditioning. Windows tinted dark to protect indoor furniture and to block heat. Electric sun shades automatically descend our west facing window portion of the house. So it is pretty dismal inside. I thank you for the advice on reading the posts on the lighting forum. I felt like I needed a degree in nuclear physics, navigating the verbiage. I did purchase a full spectrum Hydroponic grow bulb, 8" CFL, 60w, 5500k, H60...and needed welders goggles to enter the room. I think one could see our home from Mars! 8" was just a bit large for the light socked as well.
I have all the Chid's on window sills in a sun room , kitchen and bath...all facing west for the premium amount of light...as far as light goes this time of year. They are turning the dark green and new growth is coming in deformed. Other than that they are happy
I need to get light into the sun room where most of them are...but I need to get it done with some sort of decor as it is a main room w/in the home.
So there you have the basics. Thanks all for your suggestions.

[dounoharm]

I bought a light stand from hausermann's orchids for my okla residence...its about 2' x 4' and holds around ten plants...the phals and paphs do well there...I had a cattleya for a while there, but it grew too big so I sent it back to the greenhouse in nc....the only problem with the light stand is humidity...I had to create a makeshift 'shade' around the edges of the top part that holds the lights because it is in the living room, and the light would be in my eyes when I was in the recliner....good luck to you!

[Gthumbz89]

I'm from AZ too. I grow in a enclosed terrarium under lights. The plants have been growing beautifully for over a year. I'm currently doing an experiment where I grow outside of the tank. What kinds of orchids do you have, and how are they doing in the low humidity?

[RJSquirrel]

I take my chances with mother nature and maybe get some blooms.
I grew indoors for about a year and didnt get much to bloom. It was messy and hard to tote all my plants to the sinks. Sinks got plugged up. Dust and dirt always on the floor. Very tiring growing indoors.
I got a cover for the plants outside, cloth over that, some fans and Ill deal with mother nature best I can.
Good luck anyway you grow. They are your plants and you can hang em anyhow you please. You will have to find something that works for YOU and maybe not everyone else.

[tomkat]

RJSqurirrel,
Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to my dilemma. Yes, it is becoming all consuming. I am trying to get my husband to go for a little full wooden house (green house) which I can air condition/heat/humidify and properly light...for my orchids...Darn...he's not going for it! Plan B is to turn the guest room into the orchid room...Ole Mom nature is a bit too tough at the moment as it is 114 degrees out side. No chance right now...for any thing out side...and that's the reason hubby said no to my little green Palace...It would only be utilized in the summer here...during spring, winter and fall, I think I'll have the right window sill set up...it is just the darn three digits for 5 months I have to deal with. Perhaps I should ship them back to the mother-in-law for the summer?? All teasing. Thank you for your advise...It all is very helpful.
I just am thoroughly frustrated...2 months to go...Hope the "Chids" can hand in there.
Tomkat

---------- Post added at 06:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:32 PM ----------

Thanks, that is great advice. I am going to try to get my hubbie to let me turn the guest room into the Orchid room. (perhaps I can use some of your suggestions). I gave him another alternative...of a cute little wooden house in our back yard, which I would turn into a green house..that I could air condition, humidify, heat and light....to keep the "Chids" happy!? That went over like a lead balloon...as I really would just utilize all those conditions (minus the heat) for what 5 months...just while it is in the 114/117 degree range. The rest of the time I think my "window sill" is going to work...and I'll be able to have them out side for a bit of time. I dunno! Just a bit frustrated...hoping they make the next several months...Then I'll have a reprieve to really figure something out for the 2014 summer.
Thank you so much for your input..I greatly appreciate it.
Tomkat