lighting help please - Orchid Board

plantaholic · #1 (**permalink**) 03-24-2009, 10:43 AM

Hi,

Well, my collection has definitely grown but rarely bloomed. I've learned a lot however. And, what my 'chids really need is more humidity. The only way to get that in my house in the desert is to move them into a smaller room where I can control the humidity better. This will mean moving them into the hall bathroom. The only thing is no window. This room has a typical strip of four round lightbulbs and a wall of mirror under it. Are there bulbs that would fit those light sockets that would work for growing orchids? I'll probably also have a shelf in there with a fluorescent hanging over it. Please help. We can't get the humidity over 32 during the day even with a humidifier right next to the orchids and a filled water tray below them. And moving to the coast isn't an option. So, please help!!

plantaholic · #2 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 10:59 AM

Could somebody please answer me? I really don't know the answer to this and I need to do something right away.

mayres · #3 (**permalink**) 03-27-2009, 11:22 AM

Bathroom strip lights would not be good for orchids because of two reasons. If they are tungsten type bulbs they are energy wasters and do not put out enough light - most bathroom lights in this configuration are of the 20-40 watt variety. An inexpensive fluorescent with T12 or T8 bulbs over a shelf would definately work for low light orchids such as phals, paphs, bulbos, etc. The plants are going to want to be very close to the tubes. If you can swing for a more expensive T5 fixture then you can go for higher light plants and they can be a little further away from the fixture as well. Another option would be to mount the coiled fluorescent type tubes somehow in a fixture - if you have just a few plants. Ideally with those you may need to go to a lighting business to get high enough wattage. Most standard CFL's are made to be equivalent of standard light bulbs and don't put out as much light as you might need - even the 100 watt equivalent type. Ideally I'd go for a 200 watt equivalent at least. As you get up in the larger CFL tubes the base eventually changes to a non-standard one - so that is something to keep in mind as well. Good luck!

John · #4 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 12:16 AM

Hello, are you saying that your plants are growing but the problem is that they are not blooming, or are you having problems getting them to grow? If they are growing and just not blooming, I would try increasing the light levels first and leave the humidity at 32% and see what happens. What kind of orchids do you have?
John

cbloveday · #5 (**permalink**) 03-28-2009, 12:39 AM

I bought this stand and put it in my basement bar room, which has a door so I can close off the room. Bought a plant heater and a humidifier that is capable of handeling 3,000 sq feet. It was only $150. The light stand cost alot but my plants thrive. I also bought a fan so there is wind.

Not sure if this would work if you are using the bathroom.

PLANT LIGHT STAND II: Orchids By Hausermann