Additional Lighting- help
 

Hello,
Im turning a little room I have with a moderately sized east window into a little green-white house with a nice humidifier/fan ect.... I was wondering since I'll probably need additional lighting for the vandas, I'd love any recommendations but nothing overwhelmingly HUGE or expensive as neither are something I can deal with at this point, I keep seeing fluorescent and metal halide, Im so confused,
Any directions would be appreciated
thanks :):biggrin:

Since Vandas are high light requirement plants you will need something with some power - This will not be cheap. Typical T8-T12 Fluorescents will not do (shop lights). Incandescent bulbs or fluorescent replacements will not do. Possibly your cheapest route would be a higher power compact fluorescent - you could put one in a clamp fixture - bulb + holder might run into the $40 range or so. One negative of this route is that you would not get enough light for a lot of plants - somewhat of a spot effect - maybe 18 inches square or so - would need to be close to your plants. Metal halides or sodium vapor would be some of the better choices for coverage and power - but you have excess heat to deal with if you get significant wattage and they are expensive as well. T5 flourescents (4 foot tubes) might be marginally effective (?) for vandas - but a good fixture of them will also be several hundred dollars. Good luck! mike

A couple thoughts -

How many hours of direct sunlight will you get through your east facing window?

How bright is the area when the sun is not shining directly into the window? Your area is typically pretty bright, I would imagine - not very much cloud cover.

I have ascda. that bloom regularly without the benefit of direct sunlight - they are growing with my cats. I believe they typically require less light levels then my true vandas which do better with that direct light.

If you were able to get a plant that you knew had bloomed before, you might try it for a season with your existing conditions to see what happens. That might save you the expense of buying lights.

Arizona is known for its sun!

thanks guys for responding to my question


mayres thanks for your advice, Im just browsing online, I dont need something VERY strong as the arizona sun is pretty powerful, I was just worried that my east window isnt going to provide ALL the sunlight vandas needs for a 101-2 hour period....

D&S Mabel,
from the crack of dawn till about 10:30 am direct strong sunlight through my east window then it just fades throughout the day, but during the late afternoon the light from the west reflects so there is quite a bit of light, but surely not enough, I wish I knew how bright it was when the sun isnt shining straight through, but I get the feeling- its simply not enough...
Im just wanting to get an extra light place it next to the window just to make sure that I'm doing everything I can , you know? ....
Im somewhat new to orchids, but I've literally lost my mind and I want to grow everything haha, I know thats bad but I'm trying to take all the right steps,
Fluorescent Grow Lights
looks interesting also there are so many categories any recs?

Grow Lights | Hydroponic Lighting Supplies
is everything ... :) thanks everyone