J Fortuna wrote:
We recently moved to a new 2-bedroom+den condo (yay). This means that I have
more space to expand my orchid collection :-). However, I still need to
figure out the new conditions.


That is the fun part.

One of the windows is an unobstructed northern window -- we plan to add
florescent lights in the window niche -- do I understand correctly that 4
regular florescent tubes next to each other is the way to go?

My rule (of thumb) is one 4' tube for every 6" of width. 4 over a 2'
wide windowsill. But, in northern window you will get some indirect
light. Can probably get away with 1 tube for every foot. Depends on
what you are trying to grow.

I am wondering whether the air movement is sufficient or not. The orchids
are currently at windows in a fairly big living and dining room area.
However, a large number of the orchids are now on the window sill of the
afore-mentioned window niche -- it is an area about 6 feet long, 1 foot
deep, and about 2.5 feet high; it is not a bay window, since it has the
window on only one side, and walls on the other sides. Would such an area be
likely to have insufficient air movement, even if this window is in a large
room? Should I try to install a fan nearby -- how could I tell whether a fan
is necessary or overkill?

A fan is never overkill... You are probably getting good air movement.
A small clip on fan will not hurt one bit, however.

I still have not put any orchids in the master bedroom of the new place,
which also has a heavily shaded eastern window, and the living room window
space is not exhausted yet. So I truly have some space to expand my
addiction (yay). However, I will try to resist the temptation of placing any
orchids in the room that is to become the child's room -- I will need to
figure out how to keep the young rascal out of my orchids once he becomes a
toddler, but since he won't be born until early January or late December,
and at the beginning he won't be mobile, I figure I still have time enough
till I have to worry about child-proofing the orchids' areas.


That is dangerous. And congratulations! From my experience, toddlers
start getting into orchids when they are about a year old. *grin* Keep
them on a high shelf. Better still to keep all orchids out of the
child's room, until she is old enough to collect them for herself.

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a) See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to obtain more
orchids, obtain more credit