Thanks to everyone who replied already.
First, one of the units I listed in the original e-mail was the smaller version of what I really was interested in. At the end of my reply is the larger model I am looking at.
Your responses to my open-ended request were good:
- Good point on the easier drainage (vote for the 1st one)
- mayres -- I'll be taking you up on your offer of help; I have a cattlyea, a phal, and a dendrobium (I know ... I now realize they have different cultural requirements, especially with regard to optimum temperatures, from what I read.) With regard to light, I think the phal needs less than the other two. I'm targeting ~2000 foot-candles (I think) for the cat & dendro. Any pre-cautions up front before I lay out the cash? I think you are going to tell me that they will all probably live, but they all won't flower. (I want them to flower!)
- digitalgate -- The units cost about $200 - $250 including shipping. I am budget conscious, and can probably put something together, but it will be ugly and take forever & cost $ -- in the end, with the little money I would save, I think I would prefer to buy a "well-designed" unit. I guess that is my real question -- can anyone see any obvious defects in these designs?
Other questions:
- Should I assume these are T8 or T12? If so, are they adequate for my needs?
- Will I be able to find suitable lamps on the market that will fit these units and also get the orchids to flower?
- The descriptions say nothing about a reflector (thanks for reminding me, digital) -- should I assume there isn't one, or at best a poor one? Can a good one be purchased and installed easily if there isn't one (or is poor)?
- Is the clearance (~24 inches) adequate? Some of the flower spikes seem to be taller than 24 inches -- what then? How do you bring lights closer with tall spikes like that?
If you have seen these units in real life ...
- Are they robustly built or are they richety?
- Cosmetics are important -- would they fit well in a dining room or more suitable for greenhouse? I will placing the unit on top of a 4-foot table in front of an East-facing window.
I would appreciate any information on any of my long-winded questions (trust me, there's more). Even a response to one would be greatly appreciated. Other insights I haven't touched on are welcome, too. Thanks.
wieb
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(Four) 40 Watt Tubes in these light fixtures
adjustable light table 48-inch.jpg
Item # STPS440
Table Top Grow Light Flower Cart
Indoor Plant Stand
- Adjustable Height
- 1" square aluminum legs
- Lighted plant stand measures 24"h x 54"w x 23"d
- Optional Trays 22" x 11" tan tray (OPTIONAL - see how to purchase below)
- One light fixture (holding four lamps)
- Each fluorescent lamp is 40 Watt Wide Spectrum (included in order)
- White aluminum fixtures
- 3-wire cord and on/off switch