Light for new chids?

[Gladys47]

I'm worring over my new babies other spikes. It's been raining for days. Virtually no sun, and looks to remain the same for 3 or 4 more days. I have all these new spikes as shown in previous post," will update with pics to show their progress. I have no lighting set-up on my porch yet. I brought the 3 new ones in and put them under 3, 45 watt lights, The curly kind that go in lamps. But now I'm doubting myself. Should I have just left them alone? I really want the other spikes to open! Sharry Baby still has 4 more! PLEASE advise me! I'm still a relative newbie. Only one year. Help me not mess up and love them to death.What to do? What to do? Driving DH crazy! But thats a good womans job isn't it? Seriously tho, I really would like some advice. Thanks evreyone! It's great knowing you are here for me! Gladys

[Vivienne]

Gladys - I'm far from an expert, but I went through the same thing back in February. I keep all my orchids in my atrium that only has skylights. Earlier in the year we were hit with 3 blizzards, one after the other, and the skylights were buried under 2-4 feet of snow for several weeks. Only track lighting in the room 10' up. All the orchids survived and are doing just fine. They adapt.
Just my 2 petals worth.

[janet_a]

agreed. don't worry about it; temporary lowered light levels won't do anything bad. there'll be plenty of sun the rest of the summer.

now, if you would like to send some of the rain down here to maryland, we'll take it.

[arleneg]

Gladys,

I agree with Vivienne and Janet. If the lack of sunshine is for just a few days or so, your 'chids will be fine. Personally, I would take advantage of the rain by placing my 'chids outdoors -- humidity and automatic watering/misting.

[Gladys47]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll put them back out and stop worring like a mother hen. (well I'll try to stop worrying) Gladys

[Gladys47]

Lo and behold! There's a sun out there this morning. I wonder how long it will last?
Just a quick question. This is my first Sharry baby. Do the blloms last long enough that all 7 spikes might be open at once? Or maybe I should hope not that way I will have blooms longer! Hmmm, I wonder? Gladys

[kmarch]

Gladys,

It sounds like you're received good advice form those who have posted. the only thing I might add is that it is helpful to keep in mind that orchids are plants just like grass or an oak tree. Many of the species that make up our hybrids still exist in the wild where there is no control over how much light the orchids get, no florescent tubes on the porch, no HID lights on tracks, just the sun and the weather. It could rain for a week or 2 sometimes. A lot of orchids are really tough plants.

cheers!

[arleneg]

Gladys,

It depends in what order each spike appeared. Sometimes, however, you can have a couple spikes blooming at the same time. The blooms does last for a while. If I recall, mine lasted up to 6 weeks (or so). I had 3 spikes.