Another Lost Soul

[Faz]

....I have two sets of shelving measuring 35" wide by 13" deep and I am trying to get sufficient light for Cats and Brassias. My setup is 4 feet tall with 4 shelves. Am I making any sense so far???? I am looking: typing: at a New Wave Lighting System that is a T5 fixture with 2 foot - 4 lamp rated with 2 x 6500K and 2 x 3000K lights. Am I going to have my orchids in bloom or am I wasting my dollars?

The shelves are adjustable so I can get closer or farther away as needed. My concerns are that will this do the job as here in the Pacific Northwest sunshine will be at a premium from now to next June.

As a newbie (but already hooked) orchids need to flower and that is my goal with this possible setup.

Thanks......Faz.

[John]

Hi Faz, I would look at 4' 4 lamp T5's. The ones I have measure about 12" wide so they should fit your shelf. The light at the ends will drop off in intensity so if you have plants at the outer edges of the shelf, they will get the light they need with the 4' fixtures. I have several Catts in bloom or near bloom under these fixtures.
John

[Faz]

- John: Thanks for the advice. Still haven't bought any lights as yet. We have The Fraser Valley Orchid Society here locally and I was going to join this group but unfortunately I was busy that night so I will probably join them in October. I know they have members and books on the subject of indoor lighting. Just wanted to say thanks for your input. I really appreciate it as I am new (but hooked) to this fascinating hobby.

All the best....Faz.