Supplementing Light With Ray's LED

[OrquideAlex]

I discovered recently that north facing windows haven't been providing adequate light, and all I have are north facing windows. I'm looking to supplement it. From my research, I could light a 24" x 15" area right next to a window with a Ray's 13W LED, about 2 feet up. Does that sound right?

I'm aiming for low to medium light, mostly for paphs (including a more demanding multifloral) and a zygo. A large bulk of the light will still come from the window, so can a single Ray's LED do the rest? How many hours a day should I run it? Thanks!

[Ray]

From two feet up, the amount of supplementation will be minimal.

Don't worry about the area - the lamps can cover your 24" x 15" area from 12" overhead, and I'd consider 12"-15" a more appropriate height for a single lamp.

I also think that 12-14 hours is fine. You won't be overdoing it, as even on a sunny day, the amount of light in a north-facing window is minimal.

(For future reference, do not ever hesitate to email directly with questions.)

[OrquideAlex]

Hmm, I might have to look for something else with a more narrow beam. Fifteen inches is too low, it gets in the way of viewing and some of the taller growth, especially from the zygo.

Despite the minimal light, north facing windows has allowed me to grow phals and an Oncidium for over a year, with limited flowering. I just need a boost to do more. Thanks.

[Ray]

If you doubled the number of lamps, 2' would be pretty good.

[OrquideAlex]

Thanks, I'll keep that in consideration. It seems though that with two lights that high, they will shine a lot of area that I might not be using, and I prefer to cut out that waste. With each hobby I pick up I have to learn about LEDs all over again.

[Ray]

I have toyed with the idea of custom-made reflectors to narrow the beam, but it adds significantly to the cost, and considering the several hundred of those already out there without them, I suppose it's not a huge demand.

[jkt97401]

Ray,

I used a light meter app on my phone to test the light intensity for my orchids. I only have a southern facing window and it usually measures between 800 and 900 foot candles. In your expert opinion, would you think that I need supplemental lighting? I was thinking about a lower energy LED bulb like your LED light. What do you think?

[Ray]

That depends a lot on the types of plants.

[jkt97401]

Oops! My mistake, I am currently growing phals!

[Ray]

Originally Posted by jkt97401

...would you think that I need supplemental lighting?

No.

Some of the best-grown phals I've ever seen were in a greenhouse so algae-covered that hardly any light got in at all!