daily light quantity - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 09-02-2008, 05:10 PM

Hi,
My "orchid grow-room" is not finished yet (need more supplemental lighting sometime), but I need your advice as to what the best route for me to take until then would be.

At this time, I can provide no more than 1500 fc max in the room......some areas less. I can provide good air circulation with fans.....85-90 temp and a good humidifier. My question is: All (generally speaking) of my orchids get full sun early morn. until mid morn.-early afternoon, sitting on shelves on the east end of our covered back porch. Beginning approx. 2:00, they get only 300-500 fc the rest of the day. Would it be best for me to keep them outside with these varied light conditions (ranging from very high to very low during the day, as I said) or inside the room which would give them constant max footcandles for my Phals and approx.mid-range fc for my other orchids (Catts, Dens, etc.).....all daytime only, of course ?

Thanks in advance,
Vicki

Ross · #2 09-02-2008, 05:28 PM

OK, just my 2 cents. I have a similar situation. I run several t5 CF tubes as supplement to the "full sun" (in quotes because it it behind screens and lots of days the sun doesn't shine). So I wouls set the lights for the max day length you are after and let the supplemental sunlight just add to that. In June (northern latitude) you would set the timer for 16 hours "on cycle". In December you would set it for 11-12 hours "on cycle". Any sunlight would just be a 'boost' for the plants. Just my opinion. Gotta go change the timers!

VickiC · #3 09-03-2008, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the info, Ross. Still got my thinking cap on.....decisions, decisions, decisions lol
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross

OK, just my 2 cents. I have a similar situation. I run several t5 CF tubes as supplement to the "full sun" (in quotes because it it behind screens and lots of days the sun doesn't shine). So I wouls set the lights for the max day length you are after and let the supplemental sunlight just add to that. In June (northern latitude) you would set the timer for 16 hours "on cycle". In December you would set it for 11-12 hours "on cycle". Any sunlight would just be a 'boost' for the plants. Just my opinion. Gotta go change the timers!