A report on my LED panels

[Rocinante]

I installed 2 red & blue LED panels a couple of weeks ago and although it is early, here is what I can tell you. My Dendrobiums hae gone keiki crazy! But it also seems to be having a bit of an adverse affect on their spikes in as much as I've experienced a little bit of bud blast, but not too bad. I'm just guessing, but perhaps the growth and the blooming are causing the plant to suffer a little bit of conflict of interest? I've also noticed a lot of new root growth on some of my other plants. Overall, I'm pleased with what has taken place in just a couple of weeks. Here's some pics:

[ganim]

Are those LED are the one that is on LED penlight, any electronic LED indicator light and those that are in LED Christmas light? Thus it operates on smaller voltage only, how much? If they are the one I'm just wondering how little light can cause so much for plants growth and health.

[jay]

LED - Trying to unravel the mystery.

Plants actually use red and blue light to photosynthesize. The rest of the light spectrum is not used in a significant amount. This is why LED panels for plants will be a mix of red and blue lights. This is usually at a 75% Red to 25% Blue ratio.

LED's panels will not seem to appear as bright as a high wattage white light because they are not using the whole spectrum.

I have a several 272 bulb panels over my orchids. Each panel is 14W and is said to provide the light intensity of a 250 Metal Halide bulb. Each 14W panel covers approximately one square foot.

I have had a couple of these for several months and have had good results. So far I like them.

[PhalPal]

It appears that the plants don't have to be as close to the lamps for good effect?? Big advantage if this is true!

[digitalgate]

i tend to differ from what i see. From picture i think the plant is suffering from insufficient
light. Dendrobium normally do not keiki from the top of the cane unless it does not
have enough light.
However, Do you have a new cane that has the same thickness (if not
thicker) than the older cane? If you do have a new cane that is thicker than the old cane
then the plant is in good condition.
Do you also have any older cane rebloom?

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by jay

LED's panels will not seem to appear as bright as a high wattage white light

Trust me, I find them quite bright. So much so, that I had to fashion a small black shade to help me avoid looking at them as I walk past.

[sandra]

John, I think you're right about the adjustments they're experiencing with the additional lighting and overall, not a big concern. Your dend looks great. Spring time is growing season for all the Dends. here in Florida. A lot of growth going on with all of mine right now and I recall Cynthia saying that Spring is the season for new growth with Dends. so maybe it's all over the northern hemisphere, to expect this?

Your set up looks exceptional. I'm thinking to bring in some orchids next autumn and putting up lights also in one of the shelving units. Where did you get your lights from? Expensive?

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

Dendrobium normally do not keiki from the top of the cane unless it does not
have enough light.

digital, this is what I understand about top keikis as well. But this is a home depot dendrobium that I bought 2 or 3 weeks ago, simply because the very tiny keiki at the top of the cane fascinated me. The inflorescence is not particularly all that spectacular, a light greenish flower with a purple lip. (Mostly, the top keiki represents a potential free plant!) The new cane is actually larger in height and not quite as thick.
The keiki at the top of the cane as well as the other keikis from the base, were very,very small two or three weeks ago. All I can report to you is what I see, that they're growing like crazy since putting them under lights.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by sandra

Where did you get your lights from? Expensive?

I got them on eBay, Sandra. I paid about 70 bucks apiece for them. A little expensive in my estimation, but very compact and lightweight. And absolutely no heat! I didn't want the heat of metal halide, or the white brightness of T-5's. Although I must say that I saw a really small and compact double T-5 bulb set in a local store for about 50 bucks that I'd like to try for the bottom shelf of my setup as a comparison.

[jay]

I have a total of 6 panels, although I still have to build one of them. I like the design of yours Rocinante. They look cleaner with the frame. How many LED bulbs are in each panel? Just curious for price comparison.

Mine have 272 bulbs each and cost $40. The down side is that I have to put them together. For me, it's actually fun to do, but I could see how some would not see it that way.

Picture 1 and 2 show the parts ready to be put together.

Picture 3 and 4 show it complete from both sides.

Picture 5 shows it in use.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by jay

How many LED bulbs are in each panel? Just curious for price comparison.

Mine have 272 bulbs each and cost $40.

Jay, mine have 225 on each panel and cost about $70. A little more than I wanted to pay, but all I had to do was hang 'em and plug them in. I guess it's worth that for that convenience.

[jay]

Yeah, as you can see from my photos there are a lot of parts. It takes about 2 hours to build one of mine, but I do enjoy tinkering with things like that. I have one more to build for a total of 6 over one shelf. This last one will add a little extra light to my new Fredclarkeara.

I look forward to hearing more of your results since I believe we are the only two on this site using LED's. I have been very happy so far and look forward to hearing about your successes.

[kazjak]

Jay, Where did you find the kit? Online or in a store. I'm more than willing to sit with my soldering iron for an evening.

[jay]

I bought them here. They have multiple kit discounts too.

Once I got the technique down it was easy and fun. Make sure you have a fine tip soldering iron. If not you can get one for cheap.

[Rocinante]

Jay, do you know if there is a way of measuring the light intensity of these kits? Will a light meter give an accurate reading in footcandles? I just want to know what kind of light intensity I'm exposing my orchids to so I can adjust them if necessary.

[jay]

You won't be able to measure footcandles using a regular light meter because the LED panels are only emitting a portion of the light spectrum.

For the panels I have it is recommended to have them 12-15 inches away from the tops of the plants. When I put them over a Catt Noid the leaves were getting red edges and spots, which is ok. That just means that you are approaching the limit of light before causing sunburn. So what I do is start them around 15 inches and slowly move them closer to make sure I don't burn them.

I can tell that the plants are responding to them because they grow towards the LED's now instead of the window. I have about 3000 fc coming from the window, so the LED's must be stronger than that for the plants to grow towards the lights now. At least that is what I think.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by jay

For the panels I have it is recommended to have them 12-15 inches away from the tops of the plants.

I'm doing the same thing. I'm very happy with early results.

[digitalgate]

Originally Posted by Rocinante

But this is a home depot dendrobium that I bought 2 or 3 weeks ago, simply because the very tiny keiki at the top of the cane fascinated me. The inflorescence is not particularly all that spectacular, a light greenish flower with a purple lip. (Mostly, the top keiki represents a potential free plant!) The new cane is actually larger in height and not quite as thick.

i see, well it would be a true test to see if it can produce spike from this
point onward. Keep up the good work and keep us update on your flowers.

[Rocinante]

Originally Posted by digitalgate

i see, well it would be a true test to see if it can produce spike from this
point onward. Keep up the good work and keep us update on your flowers.

Not sure what you mean digital, the cane with the keiki? The other cane is budding right now.