Need Help With Lights

[nbd13]

Hey guys,

I am new to keeping orchids actually I do not even own one yet. I am doing some research and then going to get the equipment needed.

So, what types of lights would allow me to keep every type of orchid? I was thinking t5's? Anyone have any links? I was thinking of building a stand that is like 30" x 48" (L x W) and lighting it with 4 t5 bulbs. I was going to build in some humidity trays as well.

So, any links or insight would be great, remember my ultimate goal is to keep high light orchids so I need lights that will allow me to do this. I would like to order these this week so let me know.

Thanks,

Nick

[made4engineering]

To bloom any kind of orchid, you will need the equivalent of full sun - 10000 fc. But 99% of the "high light" orchids, you need about 3000 fc. I grow by a window, and supplement with 8 26W daylight CFL's (I guessed). In order to know exactly what you need, you will have to do some math. Foot-candle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[nbd13]

What does CFL stand for?

So I should be able to grow pretty much any orchid with 300 fc of light then?

Thanks,

Nick

[made4engineering]

Compact fluorescent - you know, the spiral ones. The light the bulbs give out are measured in lumens. 1 lumen concentrated on a surface area of 1 foot squared is one footcandle. Light radiates from a light source with a spherical equi-intensity pattern. The surface area of a sphere is 4(pi)r^2 . So in order for a 1 lumen bulb (point source) to provide 1 footcandle to an object, the object must be ... (1/(4(pi)r^2) = 1 , r^2 = 1/(4(pi)) , r= 1/(2*sqrt(pi)) , r= .282 ft , = 3.4 in) 3 inches away. Hehe

[PhalPal]

All right, all right....stop talking like an engineer!!!! (for heaven's sake I already live with one)

Or! I'll start talking all medical on you!

[PhalPal]

Nick here are a few of my favorite sites that may help you:
Why Hydro Nice, basic lighting info
Comprehensive Culture Guide—Light levels for growing orchids Great lighting lesson
Hydroponics, Indoor Gardening Supplies, Hydroponic Systems - home Eco, where I bought my lights
BuyPlantLights.com — Compact Lite Carts Different options
Kelley's Korner Orchid Supplies A favorite orchid supply company
Orchid Lights. Humidity Trays, Indoor Grow Lights, Orchid Fertilizer, Plant Tables, Self Watering Globes & Stakes Good easy-drain humidity trays
Orchid Supplies - Orchid Mix - Orchid Pots - Orchid Fertilizer - rePotme.com Orchid Supply The Best orchid supplies, especially medium
Carsten's Orchid-Depot and Orchid Shop Orchid gadgets

That should keep you busy for a while! Don't be in a hurry. You don't want to make an expensive mistake. Many of us spent months researching all this so please feel free to pick our brains, but be sure to choose what will work best for you and the plants you wish to grow. Ask questions - we'll try to help you all we can!