Lights for growing cattleyas

[DeaC]

Check out Hydrofarm and Hydrobuilder. I've bought from both.

[Dollythehun]

All three are good. Be careful what you ask for: this light conversation can quickly turn very technical and you will become needlessly confused.

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by stompy

Seems like theirs a lot of love for the sunblasters. Any other brands? or should I just get the sunblasters? I measured my setup and I think a 2ft strip light or a couple of bulbs in fixtures would be perfect

I am just starting to make the switch from fluorescent to LED lighting. The sunblaster was the first LED lamp I really like.

[dshallpost]

I bought ActiveGrow LED fixtures, from Harris. I think they are similar to the Sunblaster. There were some videos on the ActiveGrowLED website that persuaded me. They showed the spectrum of the lights and the CRI as 91. So I went with those and so far I am happy. I have only had them running for about 6 weeks. I am seeing lots of new root growth.

[Dollythehun]

Great! Glad you made a decision. For us, Harris has been good to do business with.

[dshallpost]

So, Dollythehun, I was so happy to read that you wrote that your cattleyas are blooming under your Sunblasters. After I put up the LED's I bought "a few" little Catts and have been anxious about -- is this really going to work? So I was really happy to read that it does work! Would you mind elaborating on your experience -- how close to the lamps are the plants? hours per day? I have mine quite close and 16 hours a day at present. I am getting about 1800FC +/- a couple of inches below the lamps at the center of the fixture. It seems like that should be enough but I'm a worrier and it was great to hear that you have had success! Tell me more!

[Dollythehun]

My orchids are in our sunroom. It has east/south window combos. However, in Indiana, we have little sun during winter, and there are large trees for summer shade. The room was bright but generally not sunny enough. I could bloom oncidiums.

I first put in t5s overhead. Then a strip per shelf and then two strips on the bottom. The highest light plants the on the bottom. The distance a vsrues according to the plants. If they need less light, they go toward the back, front, or sides. The Catts are directly under and maybe 6" away.

Many go out for the summer, which helps. My current problem is space and light for the taller cymbs and Epis. I'll be reworking the room this fall but plan to keep using the same lights.

That's all I can tell you. It's not a precise science here. I have good instincts and read the OB a lot. Good luck.

[dshallpost]

Thanks Dolly. Similar conditions here -- sunroom faces south and east but doesn't get direct sun. Enough to bloom oncidium, miltoniopsis, barely. My light set up is in the basement. Was interested to read that you keep your cattleyas 6" away from the lights. I have mine closer. Maybe they don't need to be that close. As you say, observe and adjust.

[Dollythehun]

You'll notice a change in leaf color. They should be light grass green. Too dark, not enough, too purple, too much. A tinge of purple seems to be my sweet spot. But this is only my personal experience.

[stompy]

Just to update everyone on my situation. I tried the sunblasters and they do not put out enough output for my use. I realize now, going through the thread that most people use sunblasters to supplement sunlight. In my case my windowsills are in heavy shade for most of the day. I did some research and figured that I needed at least 4 sunblaster lights running to get the kind of output to grow Catts. I ended up buying a COB LED light from Timber. The cost was cheaper than what I would have payed for 4 sunblasters. Still substantial (for me at least) but I figured might as well do it right. I'll update the thread with some pics once I have the entire thing setup