I have created a follow up post to Whitecat8's: "Hey, Clara - What lights did you get?"
We are the pioneers of larger CFL growing. If you are looking for "all the answers", many don't exist yet, with the exception of Howard_A's Posts. He's been writing about cfl's in detail for a long time. Search Howard_A on GW search. He usually has the answer I need about cfl's.
He suggested I start with 42's. I outgrew the 42's in a month and skipped on to the "Big Bertha" 85w 5000k, cfl. 42's are a discontinued item in my grow areas. When they burn out they will be replaced and the lamps will go to storage. Bertha doesn't fit. I am also getting the itch to try LED's. Anyone tried it yet?
I've been growing with the "Big Bertha" model cfl for a little while now, thanks to H's posts. Couldn't be happier. I decided since there were so many questions on the other post, as people started receiving them; that a new post may be in order as a follow up. These are my observations to date. It is not inclusive by any means. But I do spend the time to investigate, experiment and record data. Willing to share and compare. I am particulary interested in indoor growing and how others are setting up lights and their "Bertha's". I'd like to know what people think after 30 days of use. I haven't had any orchid buddies to compare notes with on this subject, except H. I think I wore him out. Sorry Howard!
I started seeing questions appear on the end of the big WC post. Some concerning distance. Unfortunately. "Big Bertha" is not too easy to photograph. There is a lot of distortion due to my placement. I am posting what I hope to be better pics, below. When I am shooting over my head, distortion happens.
For those who have bought the Behemoth 85w cfls, aka, "Big Bertha"! Congrats! Happy Growing! I was rather shocked when I took the 1st Big Bertha bulb out of the box! Positively Frightening! "What was I going to do with that giant bulb?" No one warned me about the size. Contacted Howard until it drove him insane! 1 sat on my desk for a while before I got up the nerve to de-box it again.
I finally put 1 in the housing & started playing with it. Measuring the output in fc's, just like you all are doing, deciding how to mount it, where to mount it, how much it would shine into the street, piss off the neighbours. Suddenly it wasn't so scary & the possibilites seemed endless! Shoot the light down, up, in the sides, from the front, around the corner, on an angle, hang them from the ceiling, the rack, the walls, WOW! I was possessed by The "Light Devil" and the spirit of Howard_A, aka "The Light Guru".
A dozen "Big Bertha's" later, I am wondering if its a possibility that no one will ever diagnose my future growing problem as, "Not Enough Light!" ?
Does enough light exist indoors ever? (Howard??)
WC's Light post made me examine what I instinctively settled on as the best configuration for my grow areas. Since there is no fixture that will cover the cfl and they stick out 5", I have been angling the cfl's, not hanging them directly down. Part of the reason is that vertical space of my windows + clamp + bulb isn't giving me much room. I have non-standard windows
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Same pic with the light off.
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In doing this, I have found I can light a larger volume of less light demanding plants by utililising the space "under" the side of the bulb protrusion and a little window light when available. Everyone's set up is different, this works for me. I get 2000 fc's at 10" sitting the plant under the side of the protruding bulb. This window has 2, 42's on the other side and is 35" wide. Growing 17 pleuros, couple intergen rehabs, a milt, a sundew and vanilla
Doing the same thing with little Asco's. I use a vanda basket, hop 2 of them on for the "light ride"and hang them just under the tip of light. Other plants are under the side of the light. The ultimate "Light High-Rise". They are light on the other side too. The angling works out well. I am at about 10-12" spacing, even though the pics don't seem like it. Distortion, sorry.
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My Beloved Ang Crestwood, aka "Fat Boy" spiked for the 1st time under 1 85wcfl and a west window. He is in double sided spike so Mum rewarded him with a riser and another "Bertha" for his flip side. He is inches from the lights. He is in a 12" pot and it has been a problem drying out. The Berthas took care of that so his bottom roots aren't soggy.
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Other Misc. Items that warrent mentioning:
Make sure the bulb housing is installed & securely in place before screwing the bulb in
I made the mistake of assembling my 1st bulb on the floor and then trying to install the entire thing. Not the smartest idea when dangling from a ladder with Bertha & a jungle of cords. 25$ + Shipping was in shards on the floor. A carpet or blanket would have been the way to go but no guarentee.
Brooder lamps
I screwed the bulb in and it didn't work. The bulbs are big and squash the little "pin" at the bottom of the fixture. It needs to be gently pulled back out to make contact.
The Brooder lamps sold at HD need help to remain oriented. I called the company that makes the Brooder lamps. When the woman asked me what the problem was, she almost fainted when I told her! They asked for pics, no joke. Hopefully they will come out with a bigger model. I looked them up on the internet. Maybe if enough of us do it, they will see their future???
The hoods have little holes. I use them for other reasons. I use a thin metal wire and secure the hoods where I want them. The clamps are ridiculous and slip. Trust me on this. You'll be sitting back relaxing & Crash! (25$ + shipping and handling) That little wire has saved bulbs a couple of times. I had to get a little "creative" to secure the brooders.
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Fire & overloaded circuits
I have antique wiring in my winter grow areas. Last winter I stared several small fires. Ceramic heaters are the biggest lone load I run. I had to stop. The Chicago FD was getting pissed. So far so good. 1 fire but that was my fault. I use heavy duty extension cords with a built in breaker. Safer. I chose not to enclose the bulb and possibly over-heat/damage the bulbs but rather, use the "light spill" to light more plants!
I keep a fire extinguisher in the hallway and change my smoke detector batteries. After 4 house fires I need to fall over the extinguisher daily. I wouldn't think of shooting at Bertha. I would shoot the wiring. I also labeled my circuit breaker box. I don't want to guess in crisis and blow up my office equiptment.
Air Flow
The bulbs produce a lot more heat; something a ballast tubes does not do. Since we have had very hot weather here, I have kept the top of the windows open to vent the heat out. I have found that I have had to increase my airflow dramatically. I have also shut down the heat vents in my grow areas for now.
The drop off is quick the farther you grow from the bulb
This is relatively new for everyone. There has been no established space-cfl ratios firmly established. The Brassololva hanging 2" from the cfl pictured; had been out all summer. The 85w cfl has finally pinked it up. My meter reads ~ 8000-1000 fc's 2" away from the top of the bulb, however I have Twin Bertha's in a 35" area and many Bertha's and 42w's in a very small area. My Masde's and Dracs receive ~2000-2500 fc's at a distance of 8". At 16" my pathetic Helcia is receiving 500-1000fc's. It is parked on the side of the bulb. Not its normal spot but I just received another Bertha shipment. Helcia can "deal with it" for a day. It hates Bertha! Some plants will. I burn the protestors without a thought now. They thank me later with sturdy new growth and flowers that don't stall.
I'd like to know what others are getting for readings?
Run time can be shortened
As long as they receive enough fc's on a daily basis, no need to run 16 hour days. I have settled for 14- 12 hours to compensate for day length. Uncharted territory so time will tell about this subject. Any thoughts?
- You will be able to consider orchids that were once restricted due to your light supply
My favourite point of getting them! I can grow anything I choose. The plant no longer chooses me. Thus the reason I will have many well-light orchids up for sale very shortly.
- Windows and CFL's work superbly together
Don't expect your neighbours to be cordial ;-)
- A Headache or after-image is normal if you Look at Bertha
It's like very bad horror movie; "Jimmy don't look at the light!"
You are as unaclimated as your plant. Avoid looking into the light. I hang them out of eye-line. If you can't, you will get used to it. It's a rare day that Big Bertha's gaze meets mine. She will zap me once a month when I least expect it. Ibuprophen gel-caps work in 15 minutes when I get "Bertha-ed". If you are very nervous, about getting "Bertha-ed", tanning salons sell goggles for 2$. That's what the 1st TV buyers said in the 50's about the Television tube. "It will put your eyesight out!" :-)
You are looking into a 5000K bulb, not a dinky HD 28w 1750K bulb; big difference. I can look a little now but for a nano-second. Your eyes get used to averting it. Afterall, we are attempting to replicate the sun.
- You have more light and more heat, more airflow, you will water more
Well, the bright side? Rot won't be your problem! Over-watering, see Howard_A's post "How to drown proof your 'chids" .
- You may have less humidity.
Nothing to stress about. Given the option of less light or less humidity, Light always wins the argument. Humidity is not mandatory to grow and bloom orchids. Why does this seem to be the last Victorian grow method hold out?
Orchids are outside all summer at Mother Nature's mercy in the humidity department. They grow, bloom and no one complains about it not being humid enough outdoors. We are not G/H growers. Let's put the Victorian Legend to rest. Please? We are growing under 85W CFL's! Modern Technology. We don't have lanterns and buggies. It's a sore spot with me for many reasons. I will probably "pull a Howard" with respect to this subject.
- Your need for supplimental winter heat will decrease or be illiminated
:-))) No more heater fires for Clara! I will miss the visits by the Chicago FD. Summer is a little challenging. I crack the windows at the top and run the ac. I have only 1 indoor grow area in summer as opposed to 4-5
- Be prepared for people to ask you how big your electric bill is
Nosey Parker's have 0 comprehension of a "clean light" cfl's. I have a ceiling fan that takes 4, 100w incandescents. My blinding front window burns less electricity than the 4 incandescent fan lights. Cfl's burn less cash than the tr inferior ballast tubes. My landlord will never believe that and thinks I am a crazy, wealthy, wasteful woman. Whatever... He also won't take an orchid to his wife because he doesn't want to buy a humidyer or have the plant in the "bathroom" ;-)
- Your orchid arrangement may change.
If you currently grow by any other method than light organisation, say height, Big Bertha will change that. If you have to build risers for the short guys, go for it! Suspend them, turn your area wild! A rack or a window with 85w cfl's does not have to be "ducks in a row". It can be a work of art, a piece of the cloudforest, the jungle indoors when it's snowing. I adore my little grow room. It's grown even since I took this pic:
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CFL Source
Howard actually passed this to me. They are the nicest, fairest people. I have been having problems with the 42w's becoming unglued from the base. I received an entire new set of 42w cfl's from the lightbulbs direct today :-)) I never asked. They didn't want the old ones back. Fed ex shipped, well packed, competitively priced, stellar customer service. Can't say enough good about them! They have my eternal business.
- Those house plants that have taken a back seat to the orchids.... Light overflow keeps them going through the winter. Better than nada (500fc's)
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Let your mind go crazy, have fun, just don't look at "Bertha". She is so beautiful she is blinding.
Oh The last point, Dracula will turn to dust if he decides to pay you a visit! Garlic is no longer necessary, you have Big Bertha for Vampire Protection now. Over-waterers can kiss the mushrooms goodbye. You'll truely see how dirty your floors are.
Happy Halloween All!
Clara & The Berthas
Here is a link that might be useful: CFL Source Lightbulbs Direct
mrbreeze
paul_
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