fluorescent lights sufficient for oncidiums?

[Christina Anderson-Abella]

Hi everybody.

This is my first post here. I have a 48" metal stand that I'm going to hang some (at least two fixtures for a total of 4 bulbs) shop lights from and try to grow some lovely orchids. The stand is directly in front of a north window, with some wimpy light coming in from nearby northeast and northwest angled windows. It's also directly above a radiator, upon which I plan to place some pans of water to hopefully increase humidity.

My question, ultimately, is will I be able to grow medium-high light requiring orchids like oncidiums? I already plan to try pahs (very cool!) and maybe phals (pretty), but I just love the many fragrant oncidiums as well. Would fluorescents be okay if I supplemented with "spot light" compact fluorescents or incandescents? I don't have the money or desire for expensive lighting, but I've done well with cheap shop lights on other plants in the past, especially when I've put them close enough to the plants.

Any info would be great!

Christina

[littlefrog]

A lot of people grow oncidiums under lights. Your main problem is size, a lot of oncidium hybrids get quite large. If you stick with some of the smaller types, you will be better off.

[Ironwood]

Four foot T5 high output fluorescent lights are the best grow light on the market today. Their output is relatively stable over the life of the lamps (20,000 hrs.). The light output of 4 foot T5 high output (54 watt) lamps is much greater than T12 lamps (shop lights), a 4 lamp T5 system rivals 400 watt HID system with way less heat. T12 lamps loose a lot of their intensity after 50% life and should be changed at about half life when used for grow light.

[Pippin]

I use T8 and T12 48" shop lights and I'm happy with them for oncidiums and not only.
You might want to get a light meter. That will take the guess when to replace the light bulbs and if that plant is in the right place.

[Tindomul]

T5's are the best! I am growing some aquatic and bog plants under them now, they are doing very well. Haven't seen those kinds of results with anything else.

[BIGALORCHIDMAN]

Hi christina, I have the same setup as you do. I buy my bulbs at walmart or home depot. As long as they are wide spectrum or full spectrum light bulbs. I have a timer on mine. From november-jan. 16 hours/day (spring), feb.-june 18 hours/day (summer), july-august 16 hours/day (fall), sept.-oct. 12 hours/day (winter). I grow basically cattleyas and dendrobiums. The cattleyas are at the center of the lights getting most light. I am going to grow phals next.

[starwhiz]

Good info! Thanks.

[ladyslipper]

Originally Posted by BIGALORCHIDMAN

Hi christina, I have the same setup as you do. I buy my bulbs at walmart or home depot. As long as they are wide spectrum or full spectrum light bulbs. I have a timer on mine. From november-jan. 16 hours/day (spring), feb.-june 18 hours/day (summer), july-august 16 hours/day (fall), sept.-oct. 12 hours/day (winter). I grow basically cattleyas and dendrobiums. The cattleyas are at the center of the lights getting most light. I am going to grow phals next.

Right now I grow predominately phals both hybrids & species. I set things up initially so that the lights would supplement the east/north east window they are near but now that I have my light meter (unless I am reading it all wrong) & it looks light I am virtually in the dark. I think the last measurements showed about 600+ ftcandles at leaf height. I have moved the venosa to the window which has the brightest light because it seems to have slowed the growth of the spike it initiated weeks ago almost a standstill. I am looking around for a decent price for T5's because my 48 inch T8's are way too low for the plants. I will have my lights fixed the way they should be by sometime in Sept. when the light levels really start to go down.
regards - mary