Enough Light for What?

14 years ago

I am considering buying a house, the back of which faces west-northwest. If I get the house, I'll build a second story deck for orchids. I've been there in the afternoon. It's a lovely afternoon light for people, but would it good enough "cattleya light" along the outer edge? I don't think there will be a southwest facing edge because that will hook up to an existing screened in porch. On the other hand, orchid people would probably scoff at insisting on keeping such a porch that couldn't be shared with orchids !

Winter plans would be to set up large artificial light growing areas in the built-in garage. Heaven forfend I should use it for a car!

The only other option for this house for orchids would be to clear some heavy woods (and boulders) in back and build a greenhouse. I know zip about setting up a greenhouse but I'm excited by the prospect. Once the structure is built, I suppose keeping it heated in the winter wouldn't be so much more expensive than running several HID lights in the garage(?)

Thanks for comments.

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Comments (4)

jane__ny
14 years ago
Hi John, good to see you again. Where is this house? In the City??

Jane
aerides
Original Author
14 years ago
Hi Jane! That was a gorgeous Oncidium Twinkles of yours I saw in another post. The house is in Sussex County, NJ. It's not mine yet, but it's under contract, hopefully closing in June. I'm so impatient to get back to orchids again. What's new and exciting in the orchid world?
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jane__ny
14 years ago
"What's new and exciting in the orchid world?"

Who knows! We've been down in Florida for 5 months trying to find a house, still looking. Took a few plants along for the ride and its a whole new growing experience for us all.

Essex is great. You have to have more light than before. How exciting for you, I'm sure you'll have tons of space to enlarge your collection. I like your idea of a greenhouse. Maybe you can connect it to the house and it would make life easier in the winter.

I flowered Catts in West, S/W light. They spent the summer outside. I supplemented with CFL's when they came in. The flowering was iffy but with HID's you shouldn't have a problem.

Thanks for the compliment on that Twinkle. Most of my orchids took off in Florida even with neglect. Lost all my Masdes from the heat as well as the Phals. They melted. But everything else is having a ball. I'm at a total loss with the cultural difference here...watering, potting mix, heat. But it is fun.

Wish I could be more help. Good luck with the closing, I'm so happy for you!
Jane
aerides
Original Author
14 years ago
My luck with having cattleya light is nonexistent. I'll figure something out. Maybe I'll have the growing tables in the garage on castors, and just wheel them out onto the driveway on sunny days, or something. I'll figure it out.

Wow, sounds like you're having an exciting time! I'm happy for you too and I'll keep an eye out for more posts. Thanks for responding and good luck with the house.