Full Spectrum Floor Lamp - Orchid Board

pale blue · #1 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 10:11 AM

I'm looking for something like a floor lamp like this BlueMaxTM 70w Black Dimmable Floor Lamp to provide my paph insigne some (more) light.

Right now I have it by my window and according to my light meter it gets about 800-1200 fc's of light for about 4 hours or so. I'd put it under my rack of t5's but some of the leaves are so long (think 2 ft.+) that it usually knocks over the other plants and takes up way too much room. It's like a monster

Now this BlueMax floor lamp has a rating of 10k lux which (thanks to google) calculates to 929 fc's at 18". I'm thinking if I put it closer I'd have a much better fc reading? Say closer to my goal of 2000 fc's? I hope I'm calculating this correctly..?

If I had my way I'd put another New Wave ballast and hang it from the ceiling, however my husband doesn't see it my way.

Since I live in a condo, space is of course at a premium.

Does anyone have any experience with these?

SP2340 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 06:08 PM

Sorry I can't help, but I feel your pain about living in a condo and trying to grow orchids. I do have a balcony though that's pretty long and a tree shades part of it for some that like lower light.

pale blue · #3 (**permalink**) 03-25-2009, 06:16 PM

You're lucky you have a balcony, I'm jealous

Just casement windows for me, which are ok for most phals but I need to give this plant way more light.

phearamedusa · #4 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 01:22 AM

I'd say yes you can, and if you have your plant closer to the bulb you will definitely get a higher fc reading. I have a little ott light (13w full spectrum) going over a couple of mine right now while I decide on the final lighting option.

pale blue · #5 (**permalink**) 03-29-2009, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phearamedusa

I'd say yes you can, and if you have your plant closer to the bulb you will definitely get a higher fc reading. I have a little ott light (13w full spectrum) going over a couple of mine right now while I decide on the final lighting option.

I was looking at the Ott lights, but I think I'd need too many of those to get the reading of fc's I want. The floor lamp is nice looking but expensive, and I'm no lighting expert so I wanted to be sure before I ordered it. Decisions decisions..

phearamedusa · #6 (**permalink**) 03-30-2009, 12:03 AM

I'm trying to decide between t5's or a 150 hps for at home. The good thing about my job, I have access to many different wattages of lighting and HID or CFL. I own a Hydroponics store, so a bunch of my plants are there as display.