I'm really glad to have found this forum because my girlfriend and I have really gotten into growing orchids! I just put together a grow setup for us, which looks a lot like some of the other ones on here which is really cool!
How's it look? We have north facing windows so we don't get much sunlight, and I was wondering if one T5 grow light per shelf would be enough. If I pick us up a light meter, how much do we want to be shooting for? Maybe we want to split them up because the phalaenopsis like less light?
I don't think its enough. You need 2 per fixture/ballast. I only grow orchid seedlings with a single T5.
BTW - make sure you buy the "Daylight" T5 fixtures, shouldn't be more than $8 for 2 at Home Depot.
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fine print - anything I say cannot be used against me and ymmv on any growing advice