Growing Orchids Under Lights - Discussion

[mayres]

In the end I ended up getting a T5 six tube fixture that cost me just over $200. The fixture was only guaranteed for a year versus the more expensive one with a ten year guarantee - time will tell how long it holds together without any issues. Yes, when you consider the cost of T5 tubes the fixture is not really that much - because that included the price of tubes. As I have noted elsewhere, I was not able to use this fixture where I intended because the light output was too intense - all my plants were getting overlit and I couldn't move the shelves, so I had to find an alternate location. All this continues to be a learning experience for those who venture "out".

[PhalPal]

Mike I built my PVC stand REALLY high, like four feet high, to adjust my T5's. I'm glad I did; these things are STRONG!

When buying light set-ups, not all prices include the bulbs. It may look cheap but when I added $19 X 4 bulbs some weren't such a deal after all. Mine cost a little over $200 with shipping and no tax and I'm really happy with the quality.

[jay]

Mayres - I will try to get a picture of the light set up tomorrow. I have one that covers 2 Neo's and a small Phrag. Jason Fischer. The other one is on a large clustered mini-Catt (6.5 inch pot, about 20+ bulbs).

They say each one will cover a square foot. I keep them about 12-15 inches away from the tops of the leaves.

Jay

[mayres]

You are already pointing out the issue that I wanted to bring up with others that may be reading this thread - a point worth considering with all fixtures is HOW MANY PLANTS are you going to be providing light to? Of course type and size will change the numbers dramatically - but I have about 40 or so under my T5's.

[PhalPal]

I don't have as many plants under my lights as Mike but I could easily get that many plastic pots under a four-foot, four-bulb bank. Something I really like about the T5's is that I can have one light source for many different light need plants. The light coming off the sides is more than enough for Phals and Paphs, and I have Oncs and Catts right underneath the lights but still at a bit of a distance, bulb to leaf. If you want to think of it in a 'cost per square foot' way it cost me about $5 per plant to purchase the set-up.

AND...I have a cork board with some small mounts on it that are well lit from additional surrounding light from the bulbs.

[jay]

Mayres - There is another issue though. Life of light. On average, and this depends on who you ask, florescent lights should be replaced every 6 - 12 months. This means you are getting 2000-4000 hours of usage (12 hours a day, 30 days a month).

LED lights have an expected life of 100,000 hours of operation. You will have to replace your bulbs many times over while I am still on my original set.

As with growing medium, everyone will have a preference. Who is to say that one is right and the other is wrong. With so many choices we all have to find what works for our budget, space, and requirements. I certainly like the brightness of the T5. The down side of LED is that they are in Red/Blue, so when the plant is under the lights it does not look like the right colors. Of course I take my plants away from the LED when in bloom so that I can enjoy them even more.

[PhalPal]

Here we are on page nine and the biggest question still remains unanswered! Just how many orchids in four inch pots can you place under, let's say, two LEDs adjacent to one another??
I would really like to know because I may want another set-up for special orchids. I can't decide if I want something more innovative like LED's or if I should just go for another bank of lower light level shop lights. A ballpark figure would be great!!!

[jay]

I have this panel of LED's over 2 Neo's and a small Phrag. Jason Fischer.
My second LED light covers a 6.5 inch pot that is overflowing with a mini-catt.
The website that I linked below states that one light should easily cover a square foot.

The LED panels that I use don't cover as much area as the T5 bulbs, but I could get 25-50 times more use out of the same bulb. (see previous estimations of hours)

So it will cost me more up front to get enough lights to cover my growing area, but they will cost less in the long run because of the low wattage and I won't have to replace the bulbs every 6 -12 months.

I hope this helps a little.

The pictures show the light on. It leaves this reddish glow around the area. When a plant blooms I take it out of the shelves to liven up the room anyway so this doesn't bother me.

[PhalPal]

Thanks Jay that helps a lot!!!

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by PhalPal

Here we are on page nine and the biggest question still remains unanswered! Just how many orchids in four inch pots can you place under, let's say, two LEDs adjacent to one another??
I would really like to know because I may want another set-up for special orchids. I can't decide if I want something more innovative like LED's or if I should just go for another bank of lower light level shop lights. A ballpark figure would be great!!!

Not enough if you have have more then a handful of orchids.

[mayres]

While I do find the LED's interesting I don't think they output enough light to suit my needs. I'm not very fond of the appearance/effect they create either - looks like something I would find at a carnival - just a personal preference. While fluorescents do drop off somewhat in intensity after six months I have been able to get closer to two years out of them - I agree with Jay in that if you are going for optimum output you should probably change them out at least annually if you have them on every day all year long. In my case I use them only half a year though - the other half of the year the plants march outside to enjoy the warmth and light of the Oregon sun.

[PhalPal]

I think they look really cool, like little spaceships. I wouldn't mind the color distortion because I move mine downstairs to enjoy while in bloom as well. However, I would need about ten of them to cover the few plants I grow inside!!

[PhalPal]

I thought I would bump this thread because Fred has started a new section head "Growing Under Lights.' It's a great idea and a topic talked about a lot. Thanks Fred!!!

[digitalgate]

i finally moved to HID. Currently using EYE HORTILUX- BLUET 250W HID. As you
all know i was very very worried about the heat produce. To my surprise, the
heat--- nonthing to worry about. It did not raise that much. My room
temperature is already in its 80s. I was worried it raised the ambient temperature to 100F.
Nah.... Did not happen. I really like the blue spectrum for the Vegetative growth.

[jim blanford]

Hi.. Guys my name Jim I'm a light grower, have been for 15 years. I'm a retired motion picture cameraman. I know a little about Kelvin we use it all the time to match the film and the light. Right now I'm using all kinds of lights I have MH. HPS. full spect. fluors 6500k fluors and CFLs. Check out my setup In my growing space#2 last page. I'm going on vacation so I'll try to catch up when I get back. Jim.