Ted Byers wrote:

"Claude" wrote in message
. ..


Hello Ted!

The name of the shelving unit is GORM.
You can customize the unit the way you want.
The plastic cover is 55 X 165 cm and only : $ 9.99

Basic shelving unit:

77 X 51 X 174 cm = $25.00
77 X 31 X 174 cm = $39.00



Claude, you should have given me these dimensions when you asked me about
light.

Since you won't be able to accomodate four foot tubes, I'd suggest you go
for the high efficency florescent bulbs that are intended to provide an
efficent replacement for incandescent bulbs, along with an incandescent bulb
for eery two or three florescent bulbs. I could be wrong, but I don't think
the two foot florescent bulbs are very helpful because of the attenuation
from each of the ends. If you do opt for florescent only, then you'll need
a mix of half warm white and half cool white bulbs. I wouldn't bother with
the florescent bulbs that claim to be designed for plant growth, unless
there is good evidence that they provide an appropriate spectrum and unless
they are on sale at a price that is competitive with that for the warm white
and cool white bulbs.



In my experience, cool white bulbs are sufficient in themselves,
although they can be a little unpleasant to look at. I never bothered
with warm bulbs. One option might be the 'U' shaped fluorescent tubes,
although I suspect they are more expensive I'm pretty sure they would be
more efficient than twice as many shorter tubes. I find it interesting
that you suggest the compact fluorescents. I use a lot of them for
general purpose lighting, so I don't know why I've never considered it
for orchids...

Has anybody tried compact fluorescents for orchid growth? It is
quite an interesting idea. The cost has come down substantially (over
50%) in the last couple years, so it is starting to be competitive in
terms of price. Still substantially more expensive than the equivalent
area of 4' tubes, I suspect. The cheap compacts are advertised as
having a life of 5 years, whatever that actually means. I can get the
equivalent of a 60W incandescent (I think that is 13W fluorescent?) for
about $3.50 on sale (which is the only way I buy them). Spend a little
more and get 7 years. It could be that these would need replacing less
often than 4' tubes (which I replaced every year or so). The energy
savings over incandescent bulbs would be substantial over the life of
the project. You would also generate less heat, important for confined
spaces.

Fascinating idea...

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
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 purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit

"Rob Halgren" wrote in message
...
Ted Byers wrote:
[snip]
more efficient than twice as many shorter tubes. I find it interesting
that you suggest the compact fluorescents. I use a lot of them for
general purpose lighting, so I don't know why I've never considered it
for orchids...

Has anybody tried compact fluorescents for orchid growth? It is
quite an interesting idea. The cost has come down substantially (over

Yes, I am presently using them for this purpose. That is why I suggested
them. And my phals and a couple of my catts seem to like them well enough
to rebloom under them (even in a room where the only natural light comes in
through a north facing window), although my dends have yet to rebloom at
all. In fact, one of my phals, under this light, is presently in spike (but
the branches on the spike seem to have been about 15 cm for many months
now). There is certainly no indication that the phals aren't getting enough
light. And they're inexpensive enough to operate that I leave them on 12 to
14 hours a day. I have yet to see one burn out (but then I haven't had any
of them more than three years).

Cheers,

Ted