What is a safe distance from light (t4 16w) for paphiopedilum?

[weta]

Hi all,

This is my first post.

I have just set up some lights to supplement a northerly facing window (southern hemisphere). However, sun doesnt reach the orchids (even in winter) because of a balcony.

I have quite a few paphiopedilums and was wondering as a generalisation what would be a safe distance to set them from an overhead light where they would benefit, but not be burned?

The light in question is small and is a 16W linkable T4 with a 6400K TriPhosphor tube. I dont have a light meter at the moment, so it would be great if someone could give me an estimate of the distance from the light til I get one.

Thanks
Mike

[slipperfreak]

Welcome to the Board!

I have never used (or for that matter even heard of) a T4 bulb so I can't definitively tell you what distance you should use. Judging by the wattage, I'm guessing this doesn't output a lot of light. When it comes to 40W T8 bulbs (in which I bank 2-4 bulbs), I hang them 6-8" above the foliage. Some people probably hang them even lower, but I find this works for most Paphs, when they are near a window (so the art lights are not the only light source).

So with T4 bulbs, you will probably have to bank at least 2 bulbs, maybe 4 or even more, and hang 4-6" above the leaves. But this is just speculation. What's everyone else thinking?

[billc]

Like Joe, I've never heard of T4 either. I have a bank of T12 lights that I have mottled leaf paphs and phals about 3 to 6 inches above the plants. That's about 800 foot candles on my POS light meter. I also have some paphs and phals on another shelf with T5(not high output). They are about 8 inches from the bulbs. 800-900 foot candles. I leave the lights on 12 hours in winter and then slowly increase to 15 hours for summer.

Bill

[weta]

Thanks heaps for the answers - I will try at 6" and see how they go.

Cheers