Watering regimen with Artificial Lighting

9 years ago

Im a little puzzled in how to deal with my watering with my CFL and T5 setup. They dont give much heat at all, but its enough to dry the top of the media quite quickly yet down below is still moist. Is this a problem? Currently my humidity is jumping around between 40 and 50%. I thought maybe to spray them each morning because they heat would just dry up any water then end up in the crown. But would like someones more experienced opinion.

Heres my setup on the video. Its regarding light intensity, but at least you can see it setup. Its a little different now, still ugly, but it works. I think. As per previous videos, these are the orchids i inherited that were very sick with a lot of rotten roots and burned leaves. Im attempting to save them despite being a noob.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sick orchid project.#3

Comments (4)

Darlene (GreenCurls)
9 years ago
What type of medium are you using? It looks like sphag moss.
High_Tower
Original Author
9 years ago
Im using a mostly coconut husk mix. Probably 70% husk, 20 % NZ moss, 10% perlite/charcoal
After them being rotten in compressed soaked spagnum moss I decided since I was a beginner the moss would be used quite sparingly.
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westoh Z6
9 years ago
No issues, water when just about dry all the way through. The plant will send roots to the middle/bottom if it wants more moisture.

I also strongly suggest not to mist the phals, 40-50% humidity is enough and I think the misting has a chance of causing more issues than the dryness on top.

One more thing, the lights seem awfully close to the tops of the phals to me. With the spiral CFL's, I'd say 6"-12" from the tops.

Good luck,

Bob
High_Tower
Original Author
9 years ago
Actually I do have them repositioned now. Its one CFL42W per glass bowl right now and 6-8" above. I had them closer in order to get the right intensity but the narrow field that it emits didnt cover enough, so i get less intensity now but more coverage.

Thanks for the info. I wont mist, and ill just water once a week. It has good drainage anyhow, and sending roots to bottom for more moisture makes sense. Just the tops drying out looked a little worrying for a noob orchid grower