Hi Debbie,

I used to do something similar in my basement for just a few plants. I get floor lamps with flexible necks from IKEA and use compact fluorescents (aka the twisty, energy saving bulbs). The advantage with the CFLs is that they use almost all the energy they take into putting out light rather than some light and lots of heat. For example, a CFL bulb using 20-26W (depends on the brand) puts out as much ligth as a 100W regular bulb.

Julie

i found some but im not sure about the provider, i have never ordered from them.

Here is a link that might be useful: spot grow light bulbs

Um, I wouldn't waste my money on the above. My local hydroponics store carries them. You can buy a clamp lamp fixture from your local hardware store for about $10 and a CFL for $5 which uses less energy and puts out more light.

Julie

How do I figure out what watt bulb to get for such a lamp? What do phals need? do CFL's come in only 1 kind of watt? or are there different kinds? what should I get? (no clue!)

TIA!

Debbie

Try the link below to see if you can find something suitable.

Brooke

Here is a link that might be useful: Ikea

thanks brooke. yes, some seem fine at ikea... what what watt cfl bulbs do I buy?

You need to keep the CFL's to no higher than a 60 watt equivilent. I think that bulb gives you the same light as a 100 watt bulb. These lamps come with a warning about using no higher than a 60 watt bulb. It could create a fire hazard if you go higher.

Be sure to measure the length of the CFL to keep it inside the reflector because if you don't, the CFL will stick out and you will lose the light sideways and make it very ineffective.

Brooke

Hi Brooke,

The higher wattage, the more light. For my Phals, I use the 26W, which are equivalent to 100W light and causes no problems with the lamps used. Different makers often have different wattages they say are equivalent to 100W, so you'll sometimes see 20W and 23W. It's up to you which you take. For higher light orchids or in cases where there is no other source of light, I buy the 42W, which are equivalent to 150W and are still not a problem with those lamps. These are more expensive, though, usually around $10-12 per lightbulb, vs. a couple of bucks for the 100W equivalent.

Julie

I didn't have enough coffee to properly explain what I meant :>)

Yes Julie, you are using 42 watt bulbs with the higher light output. The 42 watt is under the "normal" light bulb 60 watt rating. With some of the bigger and badder CFL's the wattage is higher than the "normal" 60 watt.

I may still need more coffee :>)

Brooke

I think I do as well. I meant to address the OP...

I looked again and those floor lamps that Brooke pointed out to me from Ikea and they are perfect for my space. I'll get two- one for each side of my desk.

I never really considered this.... Right now I only have phals (because I could only provide low lighting in my apt)...... but if I get the bulbs, I could possibly start to get orchids that require higher light requirements???

Like Catts or Oncidium? awesome!

sorry, i'm a bit confused what wattage CFL should I get? it sounds like i want a CFL around 20-23 watts? is this the bulb with the spiral?

sorry, I need to follow-up again...

i just re-read some posts above..

Brooke said that these kinds of lamps allow for bulbs of 60 watts or less (that is correct i just looked) so i'd get the equivalent of that in cfl's... my question is will 2 of these be enough for me? will the orchids get sufficient light?

the orchids are on my desk that is around 4 feet long. the lamps would go on each side.

Hi Debbie,

You could get some higher light orchids, but the more orchids you have, the more extra light you'll need. And you'll have to carefully select your new plants for size and light requirements. The regular, standard Cattleyas would need more light than what you can provide. The mini Cattleyas, however, just need a bit more light than Phals. With Oncidiums, you might want to stick with smaller ones like Onc. ornythorhynchum and its hybrids, because some can get quite large and eat up what space you have.

As for the bulbs themselves - spiral bulbs are CFL. If you want to branch out, you may want to bite the bullet now and look for 42W (150W equivalenet) bulbs (Home Depot or the like should carry them). The 20-26W are fine if all you have are Phals and other orchids that don't need quite as much light. For example, jewel orchids like Ludisia discolor really don't need a lot of light and they always look great, with or without flowers. I've also always found them very easy.

Julie, aka evil orchid enabler

In answer to your 12:40 post - no, you wouldn't get the 60W equivalent (which is like 10-15W). What the lamp makers are saying is don't use a bulb which draws more than 60W of power. Since the bulbs we're recommending only draw 20-26W or 42W, you're fine. And I've been using those exact same lamps with 42W bulbs for a few years now with no issues whatsoever.

As for whether this will be enough, that depends on the number of plants you have. Each lamp can probably cover 6 Phal or Phal-size plants very well, maybe 10 max, and you should probably rotate them, since the ones on the outside will not get as much light. You would also want to cluster them near the lamps. A third one to put in the middle might be advisable.

Julie

Debbie,

I just remembered I have a photo of my growing space (I was working on a beginner's presentation and wanted to show the extent of my addiction). I'll post it on the Gallery side (I don't use web photo servers and don't feel like bothering). The window faces south by southeast, by the way, so I have excellent natural light and only use the CFL (all 42W there) for supplemental light.

Julie

Super, super, super.

I'm going to get at least 2 of the ikea floor lamps and buy cfl's to go inside.

as far as plant selection, for the most part i'm going to stick with phals. I really do like them a lot. plus, i've had them now for 6 months and haven't killed one, so that's a good sign! LOL (and many are growing new leaves, so i'm doing something right!) I may however get one or two mini-catts (since you recommended them) and see how they go.

i have 2 yrs til I buy a house, so I need to buy SLOWLY so i still have a place on my desk to keep my laptop! LOL.

Well DUH - put your laptop ON your lap, hide the printer where your knees are supposed to go and buy another orchid or four.

Brooke

hahaha.... (thinking...)

I use floor lamps, desk lamps and clamps all over my house. You can grow almost anything if you have a surface and some CFL's.
Brooke's advice is good - put the laptop on your lap.

Some K-Mart floor lamps with a spiking den and phals,
{{gwi:182487}}

This is under a desk lamp with one 24W CFL

{{gwi:98741}}

Jane

Thanks so much for the pics. I"m going to buy some lamps!

Sorry to butt in, but loved reading this information as I needed all of it. Which floor lamp from Ikea did you guys purchase? There's one that is Basisk.....about $25, I think.