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#1
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Question about lighting !
Hello everyone!
I`m in a process of changing my lighting system. I have a question: What is the best: 1 48 inches fixture with two tubes - 2 tube 40 watts Sylvania DayLight ( cool white ) OR - 2 tube 40 watts Sylvania warm light ( Grow-Lux ) OR - 1 tube of each Is two tube of 40 watts too much? I also saw some 24 inches fixture with 20 watts tube? What is the best knowing I`m growing mostly Phal, Paph and Onc. Thanks Claude |
#2
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Question about lighting !
Claude -
I grow several Phals and a Paph about 12-18 inches below one cool and one warm 40 watt fluorescent, the least expensive I could find. The combination seems to work just fine. Tom Walnut Creek, CA, USA (To reply by e-mail, remove APPENDIX) From: "Claude" Newsgroups: rec.gardens.orchids Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 13:27:25 -0500 Subject: Question about lighting ! Hello everyone! I`m in a process of changing my lighting system. I have a question: What is the best: 1 48 inches fixture with two tubes - 2 tube 40 watts Sylvania DayLight ( cool white ) OR - 2 tube 40 watts Sylvania warm light ( Grow-Lux ) OR - 1 tube of each Is two tube of 40 watts too much? I also saw some 24 inches fixture with 20 watts tube? What is the best knowing I`m growing mostly Phal, Paph and Onc. Thanks Claude |
#3
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Question about lighting !
Claude,
The larger, higher-output fixture is probably the way to go. Fluorescents are low on the lumens output, so there's no fear of too much light - besides, you can always increase the distance to the plant... As to the bulbs themselves, are you sure about your descriptions? Daylight and cool white are usually not synonymous. I don't have the Sylvania specs handy, but in 40W, 48" T12 GE bulbs: Cool White 2575 mean lumens, 4100°K color temp, color rendition index 60 Daylight 2775, 6500, 75 Chroma 50 1870, 5000, 90 Warm 2910, 3000, 70 Higher lumens = stronger light, can grow higher-light-demanding plants easier Higher color temp = generally closer to natural light Higher CRI = spectrum closer to that of natural sunlight (resulting in more natural-looking colors) -- Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info! .. . . . . . . . . . . "Claude" wrote in message news Hello everyone! I`m in a process of changing my lighting system. I have a question: What is the best: 1 48 inches fixture with two tubes - 2 tube 40 watts Sylvania DayLight ( cool white ) OR - 2 tube 40 watts Sylvania warm light ( Grow-Lux ) OR - 1 tube of each Is two tube of 40 watts too much? I also saw some 24 inches fixture with 20 watts tube? What is the best knowing I`m growing mostly Phal, Paph and Onc. Thanks Claude |
#4
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Question about lighting !
Thanks Ray!
On the Sylvania tube itself, it`s written: Sylvania, Daylight, 40 watts Cool White. On the other one, Sylvania 40 watts, Warm Light I guess if I put one of each on the same fixture, I will have a good light! What do you think? Thanks Claude |
#5
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Question about lighting !
Claude,
40 watts seems a little bit low for even the growing of a phal. I have seen phals grown in the same light as cattleyas; however, I have been told the key to growing phals is temperature and air movement. So, perhaps, with only 40 watts you aren't even growing phals. Curiosity has got me now. What other greenhouse bottom dwellers will grow at minimum light -- 40 watts? .. . . Pam Everything Orchid Management System http://www.pe.net/~profpam/page3.html --------------------------------------------------- Claude wrote: Thanks Ray! On the Sylvania tube itself, it`s written: Sylvania, Daylight, 40 watts Cool White. On the other one, Sylvania 40 watts, Warm Light I guess if I put one of each on the same fixture, I will have a good light! What do you think? Thanks Claude |
#6
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Question about lighting !
profpam wrote:
Claude, 40 watts seems a little bit low for even the growing of a phal. I have seen phals grown in the same light as cattleyas; however, I have been told the key to growing phals is temperature and air movement. So, perhaps, with only 40 watts you aren't even growing phals. Curiosity has got me now. What other greenhouse bottom dwellers will grow at minimum light -- 40 watts? More a question of duration than intensity. I routinely grow paphs and catasetum in some pretty dark corners. Most seedling orchids (of the types I grow) fine in a dim corner, as long as they stay warm (a bit of a challenge). My lights are on for 16-18 hours per day though. For what it is worth, if you (the original questor) haven't bought a fixture already, consider a four tube fixture. You can get them for ceiling light applications ( think they are called 'troffers' for some obscure reason). That is what I used for a long time (still have a couple, but haven't needed to put them up yet). I've also had good luck with putting two shop-light fixtures side by side. My rule was always to try and achieve 1 tube for every 1' of bench width. Seemed to work. Mixing cool and warm bulbs is nice for your viewing of the plants, but I've never been able to convince myself that it matters to the plants. That is after 10+ years of growing under cool white or the cheapest I could find (under a buck each), with varying amounts (down to zero) of external daylight. Your mileage may vary. I wouldn't worry about how close you put them to the plants. The closer the better. But, and it is a big but (...fight it.... ok), your spikes will grow up into the tubes if you aren't careful. Best to watch, and move any spiking plants to a windowsill or some other bright location where they can develop fully. 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 |
#7
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Question about lighting !
profpam wrote:
Claude, 40 watts seems a little bit low for even the growing of a phal. I have seen phals grown in the same light as cattleyas; however, I have been told the key to growing phals is temperature and air movement. So, perhaps, with only 40 watts you aren't even growing phals. Curiosity has got me now. What other greenhouse bottom dwellers will grow at minimum light -- 40 watts? More a question of duration than intensity. I routinely grow paphs and catasetum in some pretty dark corners. Most seedling orchids (of the types I grow) fine in a dim corner, as long as they stay warm (a bit of a challenge). My lights are on for 16-18 hours per day though. For what it is worth, if you (the original questor) haven't bought a fixture already, consider a four tube fixture. You can get them for ceiling light applications ( think they are called 'troffers' for some obscure reason). That is what I used for a long time (still have a couple, but haven't needed to put them up yet). I've also had good luck with putting two shop-light fixtures side by side. My rule was always to try and achieve 1 tube for every 1' of bench width. Seemed to work. Mixing cool and warm bulbs is nice for your viewing of the plants, but I've never been able to convince myself that it matters to the plants. That is after 10+ years of growing under cool white or the cheapest I could find (under a buck each), with varying amounts (down to zero) of external daylight. Your mileage may vary. I wouldn't worry about how close you put them to the plants. The closer the better. But, and it is a big but (...fight it.... ok), your spikes will grow up into the tubes if you aren't careful. Best to watch, and move any spiking plants to a windowsill or some other bright location where they can develop fully. 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 |
#8
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Question about lighting !
profpam wrote:
Claude, 40 watts seems a little bit low for even the growing of a phal. I have seen phals grown in the same light as cattleyas; however, I have been told the key to growing phals is temperature and air movement. So, perhaps, with only 40 watts you aren't even growing phals. Curiosity has got me now. What other greenhouse bottom dwellers will grow at minimum light -- 40 watts? More a question of duration than intensity. I routinely grow paphs and catasetum in some pretty dark corners. Most seedling orchids (of the types I grow) fine in a dim corner, as long as they stay warm (a bit of a challenge). My lights are on for 16-18 hours per day though. For what it is worth, if you (the original questor) haven't bought a fixture already, consider a four tube fixture. You can get them for ceiling light applications ( think they are called 'troffers' for some obscure reason). That is what I used for a long time (still have a couple, but haven't needed to put them up yet). I've also had good luck with putting two shop-light fixtures side by side. My rule was always to try and achieve 1 tube for every 1' of bench width. Seemed to work. Mixing cool and warm bulbs is nice for your viewing of the plants, but I've never been able to convince myself that it matters to the plants. That is after 10+ years of growing under cool white or the cheapest I could find (under a buck each), with varying amounts (down to zero) of external daylight. Your mileage may vary. I wouldn't worry about how close you put them to the plants. The closer the better. But, and it is a big but (...fight it.... ok), your spikes will grow up into the tubes if you aren't careful. Best to watch, and move any spiking plants to a windowsill or some other bright location where they can develop fully. 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 |
#9
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Question about lighting !
profpam wrote:
Claude, 40 watts seems a little bit low for even the growing of a phal. I have seen phals grown in the same light as cattleyas; however, I have been told the key to growing phals is temperature and air movement. So, perhaps, with only 40 watts you aren't even growing phals. Curiosity has got me now. What other greenhouse bottom dwellers will grow at minimum light -- 40 watts? More a question of duration than intensity. I routinely grow paphs and catasetum in some pretty dark corners. Most seedling orchids (of the types I grow) fine in a dim corner, as long as they stay warm (a bit of a challenge). My lights are on for 16-18 hours per day though. For what it is worth, if you (the original questor) haven't bought a fixture already, consider a four tube fixture. You can get them for ceiling light applications ( think they are called 'troffers' for some obscure reason). That is what I used for a long time (still have a couple, but haven't needed to put them up yet). I've also had good luck with putting two shop-light fixtures side by side. My rule was always to try and achieve 1 tube for every 1' of bench width. Seemed to work. Mixing cool and warm bulbs is nice for your viewing of the plants, but I've never been able to convince myself that it matters to the plants. That is after 10+ years of growing under cool white or the cheapest I could find (under a buck each), with varying amounts (down to zero) of external daylight. Your mileage may vary. I wouldn't worry about how close you put them to the plants. The closer the better. But, and it is a big but (...fight it.... ok), your spikes will grow up into the tubes if you aren't careful. Best to watch, and move any spiking plants to a windowsill or some other bright location where they can develop fully. 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 |
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