FC strength question

[cattlover]

Is it a fact that the FC requirements under greenhouse conditions is much more than home conditions? I read this somewhere and forgot the link and I just want to confirm this.

[OrchidTraci]

I have read the exact opposite, that plants in a greenhouse require less FC than in homes. Maybe because of the all day brighness of a greenhouse.

[ncclimber]

My thoughts on this are that in a home, under lights, orchids recieve very consistent light as well as longer hours of light than they would if growing in a green house. Due to the cosistency of light and ammount of time lighted, the cids would need fewer FC to grow and bloom. Just my 2 cents.

[OrchidTraci]

My thoughts on this are that in a home, under lights, orchids recieve very consistent light as well as longer hours of light than they would if growing in a green house. Due to the cosistency of light and ammount of time lighted, the cids would need fewer FC to grow and bloom. Just my 2 cents.

I didn't even think if she was taking about under light, I assumed she meant in a window. I guess with your theory, less would be correct.

[cattlover]

well, it's kinda both, actually...if the window thing is the case, then i'm kinda @#$ewed...even at a southeastern exposed window, I get like 1000-2000 FC.

[momokev]

Can you put some shelves with florescences next to the window to give the window light a boost?

Lisa

[Jmoney]

fc measurements are notoriously unreliable and very variable depending on what meter you use. in my opinion it's much better to get a qualitative sense of light intensity and not to trust what a meter says. a true southeastern exposure that is not shaded will provide *very* bright light during the peak. certainly enough to bloom most orchids, including most standard catts. it depends on how far away from the window the plants are. right up against the window will give you scorching light more suited for terete vandas. remember that light falls off as a square of the distance. the difference in light between 1 foot away from the glass and 2 feet away will be a factor of 4.

plants will tell you how much light they're getting relative to their needs through leaf color. a quicker way to tell is to put your hand above the plants during the day and see how sharp of a shadow it casts. for low light plants, a sharp shadow is a no-no.

[LJA]

That was a great way to explain it Jason. Good post.

[cattlover]

Thanks Jason. That was very helpful.