What specs should I be watching when purchasing a bulb for a phal?

[datousteve]

Hello everyone,

I just noticed that the lights in my office operate off of motion sensor. In other words, my office gets no light on the weekends and only on the weekdays between the hours of 10-7pm. Therefore, I'm thinking of setting up a light for my phal so he won't be lonely in the dark.

I was thinking of going to Home Depot and purchasing a bulb because I remember them carrying bulbs for plants. What specifics should I be looking for in terms of a bulb for a phal? Wattage? Spectrum? Also, how long should the light be on each day?

[Ross]

No, steve! Try this instead BlueMax™ White Desk Light Therapy Lamp Desk lamp. Place on Home Depot applience timer for 12 hours or so. Should do the job.

[dave b]

Originally Posted by datousteve

Hello everyone,

I just noticed that the lights in my office operate off of motion sensor. In other words, my office gets no light on the weekends and only on the weekdays between the hours of 10-7pm. Therefore, I'm thinking of setting up a light for my phal so he won't be lonely in the dark.

I was thinking of going to Home Depot and purchasing a bulb because I remember them carrying bulbs for plants. What specifics should I be looking for in terms of a bulb for a phal? Wattage? Spectrum? Also, how long should the light be on each day?

Will the blinds be closed, causing it to be completely dark? I though I rememberd your earlier post stating they would get decent light thru the window. If so, you dont need extra light. Your current office lights really dont do anything for the plants. Flourescents are only helpful (to plants) if held several inches to 1 foot away from a plant.

[datousteve]

Originally Posted by dave b

Will the blinds be closed, causing it to be completely dark? I though I rememberd your earlier post stating they would get decent light thru the window. If so, you dont need extra light. Your current office lights really dont do anything for the plants. Flourescents are only helpful (to plants) if held several inches to 1 foot away from a plant.

I have no blinds so light will come in. However, I'm located on the building that doesn't get sun (therefore, light comes in but isn't direct sunlight or really indirect sunlight. It's just light from the sky. That said, should i be getting a bulb?

[dave b]

If the plant will be close to the window, theres a good chance you dont need the light. If you could come across (borrow) a light meter from someone (friend in photography perhaps) you could know for sure. Phals dont need real bright light, and surely dont need direct sun. One trick i saw in a book once is to hold your hand about a foot from a white sheet of paper. If you see a fuzzy shadow of you hand, you probably have enough light for phals. If the shadow is crisp and sharp, you have adequate light for orchids requiring mod-bright.

Something else to consider, is taking the orchids home after they bloom, and growing them in the light they need until the next bloom. Take them back into the office when blooming again commences. This means youll have to start a collection of orchids that bloom at various times of the year. Good excuse for buying more.

[datousteve]

Originally Posted by dave b

This means youll have to start a collection of orchids that bloom at various times of the year. Good excuse for buying more.

And how does one do this? I thought they all bloom at the same time of the year?