lighting and set up

[parrot parent]

So I just set up my indoor growing area for my orchids and other plants including a bay, eucalyptus, mandevilla and jasmines.

I bought a sunleaves pinoeer 8-light flourescent system, with 4 vegetative bulbs and 4 blook bulbs. They say this thing puts out 37,000 lumens. I have an oscillating fan and now a humidifier. Have I covered all my bases on this front?

I have a little problem with my bay tree. Its so tall because I'm trying to make it a topiary. And this forces me to keep the lights up higher above my other plants. I'm hoping with all of those lumens, I'll be alright.

Can anyone comment? I'll send some pics tonight. Thxs.

[mayres]

I'm assuming you are speaking of a T-5 fixture that costs like $350 or so?
What kinds of orchids are you putting under it and how close to the bulbs are you planning on placing them? If you are hoping to grow medium light requiring orchids you are going to have to be quite close. For the past year I have been using T8 bulbs and they only provide enough light for phals and paphs year round. I'm also looking to purchase something like what you have described soon - I have tested one in operation in a store near here and it looks like you will need to be very close - preferably inches not feet. Remember that light intensity falls off as the square of the distance from the source. Not only do you loose intensity with distance, but normally a percentage of those lumens is not being directed towards your plants either. When considering the total 37,000 lumens you must consider what percentage of that light is actually falling on your plants? A percentage is lighting up the room and doing you no good. mike

[parrot parent]

Bummer. I'll have to get the lights closer then. You are right - these are T5s.

I was hoping to grow a vanda, but this is not sounding good.

[mayres]

If you are thinking vanda I think you better think about REALLY REALLY close - like as close as you can get. If you try this and it works out you will have to pass on your experience. Its at least worth a try. Think about 16 hours of light a day. mike

[Fabolusus]

I've been growing under a 400 watt hps/mh convertable, and I've been able to bloom cattleyas, oncidiums, phals, etc. I also use cfls of varying intensity and color for phals and paphs with success.

[PhalPal]

I have a light meter and have been absolutely amazed at how quickly the light intensity falls off by moving the light (natural or other) away just a few inches. However, I grow and bloom phals with what should be unsurvivable natural light, six feet from a southern window.

[parrot parent]

Here's my set-up. I've moved the lights closer after I took these though. I just think I may have tio buy more lights, and one specific for my Bay since it's so tall.

light system-2.jpg

[Fabolusus]

Give it a little time to see how everything reacts, and judge by that whether or not to buy more lights.