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Best indoor light

Discussion in 'Orchid Culture' started by armandoarturo, Dec 16, 2020.

  1. Dec 16, 2020 #1
    armandoarturo

    armandoarturo Member

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    Hi everyone, I used to be much time around here about a couple years ago...
    Unfortunally The last couple of years I had a depression that took away much of my lifeStyle and also my orchids.
    Now that Im good, Im trying to get my life and hobbys back.
    I used to have my orchids on a south facing window, but since I live in the sonoran desert, sun and heat is way too much for them. And I was always struggling around trying to get the best for them.
    Now that Im back, Im thinking about growing with artificial light to skip all the hard task of dealing with hard weather conditons.
    I usually like to keep vandas, phals, catleyas and oncidiums.
    I know They all require different lighting conditions, but which light should I go for to suite most of them?
    Led?
    T5? (Which fixture and bulb?)
    Thanks a lot for all of your help!
     
  2. Dec 17, 2020 #2
    armandoarturo

    armandoarturo Member

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    Bump
     
  3. Dec 17, 2020 #3
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Glad you’re back!

    Take a look at the LEDs sold by theorchidhobbyist.com. Jeff Young invested in a high-quality PAR meter and spectrophotometer so he could design them properly, and they are the best “bang for the buck” out there.

    I used to have LEDs custom-made for resale, but I’d take these (and have) over mine anyway.
     
  4. Dec 18, 2020 #4
    KellyW

    KellyW Orchid wonk Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Welcome back to the forum. Glad you are feeling better.
     
    armandoarturo likes this.
  5. Dec 19, 2020 #5
    DarleneJay

    DarleneJay Well-Known Member

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    Glad to hear you are getting back to your hobbies!

    I am not an expert of lighting but do grow under light pretty extensively. All I can share is what works for me. The technical specifications as to why one light is better than another is too deep for me.

    Given your heat concerns I would recommend going with LEDs. They give off less heat than T5s. Of the LED fixtures i have tried, MARS Hydo products and HLG Quantum boards are my favorites.
     
  6. Dec 19, 2020 #6
    Matt

    Matt Member

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    4303E02C-B8C1-45C7-9CE4-13ACB31CCB6E.jpeg
    I use this one:
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WSHCRGK/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_TxQ3Fb3830S62?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

    [​IMG]
    I learned of Active Grow from reading Orchids magazine. There were at least 2 articles I believe. Here’s another link:
    Active Grow Featured in ORCHIDS Magazine: T5 HO LED Replacements for Fluorescent Grow Lights | Active Grow
     
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  7. Dec 20, 2020 #7
    DarleneJay

    DarleneJay Well-Known Member

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    I also have picture by Active Grow. These are well built and appear to work well.

    Great looking set-up @Matt!
     
    Matt likes this.