Incandescent grow lights?

[jenn]

Hey there,

I had used a popular brand of incandescent grow lights to supplement my northern facing bay window growing area (about 40 orchids there). The brand I had used for about 6 years now has changed where they are manufactured and now the bulbs do not even last one month. Disgusted, I would like to know if anyone has had success with any other "regular" incandescent grow light. I just need supplemental lighting. Will any "grow light" do?

Thanks,
Jenn

[smwboxer]

If I were you, I'd switch to CFL's or even a T5 fixture. They run much cooler and will really cut your electricity bill

[pavel]

I'd agree. In an open area such as yours, the heat factor may not be an issue for the plants but the fact remains that much of the energy going through an incandescent is "lost" as heat. I use cfl's (coiled fluorescent lights) in my terrs and t12's on my plantstand -- daylight variety in both cases.

[jenn]

The problem is, I need to mount the lights a least 4 to 5 feet above the plants. I have tried compact fluorescent lights and my light meter picks up no change in foot-candles unless I put the light meter about three to five inches from the light source.

[orchidlady]

If you need lights that far away, then a high intensity light such as HID or HPS is your best bet. I am surprised that an incandescent bulb would even have any effect at that distance. Be aware, though, the HID/HPS lights and fixtures are expensive to buy and run. They also put out a lot of heat. Flourescent lights of any kind do need to be quite close in order to be effective.

Susan

[jenn]

The bulbs (two 150w mounted above) I had used for so many years added about 500 foot-candles (according to my light meter) to the growing area. Which was just enough with the natural light coming in to bloom everyone there.

I am afraid I will have to start looking at other options like Metal Halide, which I had been happy to avoid for so long. I am hoping someone here had a good experience with a different brand of an incandescent grow light I could try.

[John D.]

Try a CFL spot or flood light. The reflector will put the light where you want it vs a regular coiled flourescent.