very poor light? - Orchid Board

bogdan · #1 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 06:50 PM

Today I asembled the first part of my lighting fixture.
I have 2 energy saving bulbs (I don't know how you call them) of 26W each, giving the light of 130W normal bulb each. The give 1560 Lumens (each).
I want to grow only Phalaenopsis hybrids and Paphiopedilum hybrids. And Doritis seedlings.
As you can see, the leaves are very close to the bulbs. I'm planning on getting a small fan for them.

Should I put more bulbs?

Sorry, I didn't get to clean the area...
I will put some aluminium foil over the surface for more reflection.
The right part (where are the dafodils) receives low light during the day and some sun only during the summer.

Will this work?

Regards

smartie2000 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-08-2007, 08:08 PM

They look fine, except for the plants on the far right. They won't be getting enough light there, what is it? It looks like a phrag

bogdan · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2007, 05:54 AM

The plants from the far right are receiving natural light (now they will go in dormant phase, they won't need light - they are some sort of dafodills (they are not dafodills, but I don't know how to call them, I will atach a picture with their flowers)).

Should I put more light bulbs?

I don't have Phragmipediums.

Thank you

ScottMcC · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2007, 06:04 AM

looks like a hyacinth. great smell to them, right?

bogdan · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2007, 06:28 AM

Yes, yes

They smell great!
Thank you

Ross · #6 (**permalink**) 02-09-2007, 09:15 AM

I don't think you have anywhere near enough light. Phals need about 5000 lumens at the leaves. Those bulbs are putting out about 3120 lumens but that is at the bulbs surface. You would get less then half that down by the leaf (light falls off at a dramatic rate as you move away from the surface of the bulbs. As a comparrison, I use 4ea T5 flourescent bulbs that put out 20,000 lumens total (at the bulbs). My light meter registers less than 1000 at 24" away.

Gin · #7 (**permalink**) 02-09-2007, 12:14 PM

I have something similiar in the green house in an area that gets very little light , awhile back I put a few Phals. on the shelf and put up one of the lights. The only diffrence is the bulb is in a reflector. The ones I have there are in spike . Gin

bogdan · #8 (**permalink**) 02-09-2007, 12:39 PM

Thank you!!

I will put some reflection material.

Oscarman · #9 (**permalink**) 02-10-2007, 04:27 PM

I think that a gloss white paint would reflect more light than aluminum foil.