Looking for Light Recommendations
Login
User Name
Password   


Registration is FREE. Click to become a member of OrchidBoard community
(You're NOT logged in)

menu menu

Sponsor
Donate Now
and become
Forum Supporter.

Looking for Light Recommendations
Many perks!
<...more...>


Sponsor
 

Google


Fauna Top Sites
LOG IN/REGISTER TO CLOSE THIS ADVERTISEMENT
  #1  
Old 11-10-2018, 12:31 PM
Pinkeed Pinkeed is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2016
Zone: 5a
Location: USA
Posts: 43
Looking for Light Recommendations Female
Default Looking for Light Recommendations

So long story short, we moved 3 times in the last couple of months and I lost a lot of orchids and African Violets in the process. I'm now looking at lighting up 2 shelves that are in front of a tall and skinny window in a room that's on the dark side with possibility adding more lights later. The shelves are standard 48 in x 18 in wire shelves. I have some moth orchids, several African violets (about a shelf full), dove orchid, 2 catasetums, sedirea japonica, 3 paphs, 1 phrag, 1 vanda, and a zygolum that I don't think will make it after the moves.

I saw a lot of people like the sunblasters, but I'm not sure if they will give off enough light for my situation. And I think I would need 2 per shelf or more. I saw the led feit electric plant lights at Home Depot, only 2 ft though so I would have to connect them together and they give off a pinkish hue (which I haven't decided if I am ok with or not). Plus, connecting them together leaves a gap in the middle. So looking for some suggestions, preferably light fixtures that don't take up a lot of space because I would like to fit more shelves in the future. Lights would be in close proximity to the plants. Do most people go with white leds now?

Other information: There's a pine tree maybe 10 ft from the window to the left that blocks some of the light. We will be getting it cut down sometime this year bc it is leaning towards my neighbor's house. Other house also blocks the light because it is much taller than ours. Eventually, we are hoping to convert our attached shed into a greenhouse (very little blocking the light there!).
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-10-2018, 01:17 PM
Dollythehun Dollythehun is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2016
Zone: 6a
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 5,540
Looking for Light Recommendations Female
Default

I use Sunblasters. The eye doctor recommend recommends I wear sunglasses when working with my orchids. Either lights will work. I bloom Dialalias and Catts with them and my tree situation is similar. Please don't overthink this.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-10-2018, 01:34 PM
Pinkeed Pinkeed is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2016
Zone: 5a
Location: USA
Posts: 43
Looking for Light Recommendations Female
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dollythehun View Post
I use Sunblasters. The eye doctor recommend recommends I wear sunglasses when working with my orchids. Either lights will work. I bloom Dialalias and Catts with them and my tree situation is similar. Please don't overthink this.
I really try not too, but I can't help it. I do this with everything. I'll admit the whole footcandles to lumens thing confuses me. As much as I try to understand it, I just don't. Are the Sunblasters white leds or more of a pink? I'm guessing I would need at least 2 per shelf due to width, not sure if I could get away with one.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-10-2018, 01:57 PM
Dollythehun Dollythehun is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2016
Zone: 6a
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 5,540
Looking for Light Recommendations Female
Default

They are white. Some of my shelves have two, some only one. Plants are arranged as to light needs. Every one of us has an area of expertise. Lots of engineers and scientific kinds here. Your mind will quickly be spinning with suggestions and you'll have even more trouble making a decision. Keep it as simple as possible while meeting the basic needs.
Reply With Quote
Post Thanks / Like - 1 Likes
Likes WaterWitchin liked this post
  #5  
Old 11-11-2018, 11:20 AM
Pinkeed Pinkeed is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2016
Zone: 5a
Location: USA
Posts: 43
Looking for Light Recommendations Female
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dollythehun View Post
They are white. Some of my shelves have two, some only one. Plants are arranged as to light needs. Every one of us has an area of expertise. Lots of engineers and scientific kinds here. Your mind will quickly be spinning with suggestions and you'll have even more trouble making a decision. Keep it as simple as possible while meeting the basic needs.
Thanks! I think I'll give the ones from Sunblaster or Hydrofarm a go (didn't realize they were making leds, just knew them from T5s) and see what happens.

Edit: Hydrofarm lists the Sunblasters under their led strips. Other places are calling it Jump Start. So these lights might actually be made by the same company (just thought people should know).

Last edited by Pinkeed; 11-11-2018 at 11:53 AM..
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-20-2018, 08:00 PM
Pinkeed Pinkeed is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2016
Zone: 5a
Location: USA
Posts: 43
Looking for Light Recommendations Female
Default

I don't know if this is the right spot for this but....I want to save others the trouble.

Update and a Warning:
I ordered 2 of the 4 foot sunblasters from Amazon Prime. They came used and missing parts. So do not order your Sunblasters from there. Really not a great experience, waiting on refund.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-20-2018, 09:51 PM
Dollythehun Dollythehun is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2016
Zone: 6a
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 5,540
Looking for Light Recommendations Female
Default

I've order from them. Mine were perfect. Try Harris Seeds.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-20-2018, 10:21 PM
Pinkeed Pinkeed is offline
Member
 

Join Date: Jun 2016
Zone: 5a
Location: USA
Posts: 43
Looking for Light Recommendations Female
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dollythehun View Post
I've order from them. Mine were perfect. Try Harris Seeds.
Thanks! I'm not sure why mine arrived that way, but they did. Not sure if Amazon Prime always uses the same seller for those or whoever is closest.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-20-2018, 10:22 PM
Dollythehun Dollythehun is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: Aug 2016
Zone: 6a
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 5,540
Looking for Light Recommendations Female
Default

Try again, you'll be happy with them.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-21-2018, 07:23 AM
Ray's Avatar
Ray Ray is offline
Senior Member
 

Join Date: May 2005
Member of:AOS
Location: Oak Island NC
Posts: 14,790
Looking for Light Recommendations Male
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pinkeed View Post
Thanks! I'm not sure why mine arrived that way, but they did. Not sure if Amazon Prime always uses the same seller for those or whoever is closest.
Go back to Amazon, and check "Your Orders". Look at the listing. It'll tell you who sold it.
__________________
Ray Barkalow, Orchid Iconoclast
FIRSTRAYS.COM
Try Kelpak - you won't be sorry!
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
house, light, lights, lot, shelves


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Growing System Recommendations orchidsaroundus Advanced Discussion 3 11-19-2014 10:09 PM
Dendrobium media recommendations calvin_orchidL Propagation 2 03-11-2010 08:54 PM
Frequent Flowering Catt Recommendations OrchidSue Cattleya Alliance 5 09-20-2009 12:32 PM
Orchidarium fan recommendations? Becca Parts & Equipment 7 08-14-2009 12:20 AM
Book recommendations? DelawareJim Vanda Alliance - Neofinetia 10 06-04-2009 12:03 AM

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:44 AM.

© 2007 OrchidBoard.com
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.37 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Feedback Buttons provided by Advanced Post Thanks / Like (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.

Clubs vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.