Introducing myself.

[Winterwhite]

Hello folks,
I just joined and the site seems to be quite elaborate. I started raising orchids about a year ago when some woman who was moving asked if I wanted to buy or take some of her orchids. I went home with about 6 and then added a few more during the year. So I now have about a dozen with the additional new ones I bought. I am using a bathroom with a make shift lighting system. I bought a Wunderlite but the light bulb is in a lamp base and pointing upward. Any suggestions here as to what I should be using as a stand for this bulb? Also, nothing I read tells me how long to keep the light on. I am assuming the orchids should have half a day of light and hald a day of darkness. Anyone can comment if they choose. Anyway, I look forward to learning and being successful with my orchids. Thank you. Winterwhite

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

You can add an hour or two to the total of normal day length, but you should adjust the time several times a year to approximate the seasonal variation, as some orchids use the change in day length to trigger growth and blooming. Cynthia

[mayres]

Welcome Winterwhite!
If I remember correctly a wunderlite is a fluorescent type? No? If this be the case you need to have the plants as close as 3-4 inches from the tube to give them enough light. I would recommend up to about 16 hours the bulk of the year and then as Cynthia says - possibly taper off to 3-4 hours less through the middle of winter. Regular lighting in a room that is adequate for human vision is not going to be nearly enought for orchids - that is getting them to rebloom. They can "live" for a long long time, but will not thrive and rebloom.