So, I have one of these greenhouse shelving units:
http://smithandhawken.speedera.net/www.smithandhawken.com/images/product/7/757401-1.jpg

The top three shelves are adjustable, or even removeable. I am thinking of only having two in use.
I am toying with the idea of moving my three trays of Phrags out of the main growing area and growing them on these shelves instead. Currently I only have 6 or 7 large one's that will need the height, so they'd go on the top shelf and get the most light from a south facing window.

The rest of the plants are either young, or besseae hybrids that stay smaller and could go on the lower shelf, but this means I would need some sort of supplemental lighting. Still cannot at this time do HID. I do have a few of those compact flourescents around, and extra dayspot reflector/sockets with clamps for them. I think I have three of four of them if you count the ones at work. However I have no idea if that would be enough supplemental lighting.

What would you suggest, what would you do if it were you?

Do you think this will work? Would my Phrags. be happy?

Thanks!
~H

Sure... Sounds good. If you are worried about supplemental light, get a couple 4' shoplights. 10 bucks, tops, at your local megamart. You can use cheap tubes. You are only supplementing, and you don't need much.

The incandescent lights will probably work, but it will be cheaper to run the shoplights, and cooler.

The shelving looks familiar.
http://www.talbot-terry.freeserve.co.uk/Orchids/OH1.jpg
I covered mine in 50% shade cloth & had the mini greenhouse in
full sun.The plants loved it.
As for supplemental lighting i,m not familiar with anything but HPS
but flouros should work .

Two, 4 foot, double lamped fluors with gro-lights should meet your needs inexpensively at about 14-16 hours a day even without supplemental light. An inline timer would save you the effort of turning the lights on and off and could be adjusted if you find it's too much light.

One thing I would suggest though would be to mount them outside of the plastic humidity covering so any misting will not affect them and perhaps one on top and one in the middle.

Basically what you're intending is how I manage my all my orchids over winter but on a bit larger scale.

Thanks guys!
Steve- I remember your set up, I think, though you out grew that rather quickly, I noticed. Your SA wouldn't fit on that now! :lol:

Ernie, do you by any chance have a photo of your set up? I'm such a visual person, I have a hard time picturing stuff in my head.

Thanks guys!
Steve- I remember your set up, I think, though you out grew that rather quickly, I noticed. Your SA wouldn't fit on that now! :lol:

Ernie, do you by any chance have a photo of your set up? I'm such a visual person, I have a hard time picturing stuff in my head.

That can't be true. I'm pretty sure you have vivid images of Phrag kovachii spinning around your head right before you go to sleep every night.

That can't be true. I'm pretty sure you have vivid images of Phrag kovachii spinning around your head right before you go to sleep every night.


Haha! As I wrote that, Rob, I was actually thinking, maybe I should specify "mechanical stuff" since I do tend to visualize plant crosses pretty well.

I do have odd forum related dreams rather frequently. It is nice now having real images in my head of many of you. Pete often shows up as a myriad of different looking characters. :lol:

That can't be true. I'm pretty sure you have vivid images of Phrag kovachii spinning around your head right before you go to sleep every night.


Haha! As I wrote that, Rob, I was actually thinking, maybe I should specify "mechanical stuff" since I do tend to visualize plant crosses pretty well.

I do have odd forum related dreams rather frequently. It is nice now having real images in my head of many of you. Pete often shows up as a myriad of different looking characters. :lol:

Santa Claus most likely... :poke:

Sure, I can take a 35mm pic and post after I've used up the roll if you wish but as I mentioned, my space is a bit different. I've a much wider growing area without the levels of shelving so I use both banks of light above everything.

In any light system, distance from source matters tremendously so when using shelves like you're proposing, you need to supply a closer light source to the ones furthest away from the traditional top location of a light. That's why I advise putting a light bank midway as well as on top. The rule for how you place it above is greatest focus of light on target as close as possible but you must protect the electrical components from moisture via misting or watering. Even the humidity affects the silly lights but it's negligible usually.

Usually at Wally's World you can get the two starter and reflector combo's for about $30 but you have to be careful it's not the "wire-yourself" kind so it's probably better to do Home Depot or similar for them. The tubes themselves usually run about $7 a piece in WW and last about 6-10 months each. It's significantly cheaper to buy by the case.

Thanks Ernie!

Are these shelves going to be outside? Compact flouros shoudl work if you need supplemental light in front of a nice window.

Are these shelves going to be outside? Compact flouros shoudl work if you need supplemental light in front of a nice window.

Nope, inside.

Hrm, okay.
So, do they make like, 2' lights? They must! My space is about 26".
I think (now that I've moved the plants, and have less new paph space than I expected, but can actually touch all the plants w/out a step ladder, LOL) that the top shelf, with something above them (that clamps on, not flouro tubes) in front of the south facing window, will do well.
The lower shelf is definitely going to need some sort of flourescent wired to the top shelf.
I guess I am not sure about a couple things - for example, if I buy the flouro tubes, and reflectors, the latter is just what the tubes "plug" into, correct?

Though I've researched and understnad HID lighting, I know really nothing about flourescents.
So, erm, thanks! I hope!
:?

Just want to be sure I get the right thing.

They fit, but kind of in a not fab way, at least tonight, if you ask me. I need to mess around w/ the large hybrids (which I may also just throw outside for the rest of the summer. However the besseaes and caudatums, and things like ecua, heck - the SPECIES - I sure ain't risking! So, I definitely need lighting for them.

Thanks!!

Heather, here's a photo of one of my light stands.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/paphreek/Lightstand.jpg

Very nice set up Ross :clap:

See, Ross has single bars of fluorescents (not flour) and he's put them on each level for even light distribution. That's a GOOD setup and grats to you Ross. The bad part is each light bar has a ballast and that uses more electricity and money on startup only. It's pennies, but it matters.

You'll find 18 inch easily but not 24 inch light tubes.