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Thread: My greenhouse in winter - a pictorial guide !

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  1. #11
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    such amazing green house Geoff.thank you for sharing/kitty

  2. #12
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    I like your innovative, experimental approach Geoff, as always. I have just added additional 40 Watt Florescent cool and warm T-8 and T-12 overhead lights. I have read a few places were in winter these lights should be on 14 to 16 hours a day. With your experience and expertise I thought you might comment as to what you think of keeping the lights on that long in my NORTHERN EXPOSURE greenhouse. Thanks in advance for your opinion! AL

  3. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by orchidsal View Post
    I like your innovative, experimental approach Geoff, as always. I have just added additional 40 Watt Florescent cool and warm T-8 and T-12 overhead lights. I have read a few places were in winter these lights should be on 14 to 16 hours a day. With your experience and expertise I thought you might comment as to what you think of keeping the lights on that long in my NORTHERN EXPOSURE greenhouse. Thanks in advance for your opinion! AL
    16 hours is too much - the two parts of the photosynthesis process need approximately the same time ( and different temperatures !) - since the whole thing has evolved here on earth where it is usually cooler at night, and on the average day and night are of the same length. I suggest you have them on for about 11 hours max - they come up to full spectrum fairly quickly , so you won't lose out at the beginning or end of theday.
    Daylight is not very useful for growing immediately after sunrise or at dusk - which is why I don't suggest 12 hours . You will save a bit on your electricity cost too !

  4. #14
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    I thought that an update - giving some actual light values would be helpful, and since today2nd January the rain has gone and the sun is out as bright as it ever gets here in January, I took my light meter out; the figures are below :-
    Light values 9.30 am 2/1/12 clear sky sunny.HID lights not yet switched on.
    Top of the greenhouse ( vanda leaves) max 2.5K lux **. Centre bench 1.1 k lux. Paph bench , about 850 lux
    At 12 noon – lights now on -
    Top (Vanda leaves) max -7-8k lux, Centre bench immediately below lamps 10-20klux ( oscillating between these as the lamps move back and forth).
    Edge of centre bench, and the hanging plants in the HID light , similarly varying between 4 and 8 k lux.
    Paphs now about 1800lux.
    Assuming that the bench level in the middle of the greenhouse – getting dappled light due to the shade from the hanging plants above ( which are not a complete cover for the bench, being located within easy reach of the two paths, only) is about half that available at the top of the greenhouse near the glass, then it will be seen that the best midwinter light on the catts without lights would be about 4k lux .In fact due to the lights it is between 10 and 20 k lux.
    As the natural light fades in the afternoon, the light on the centre bench will fall, but it will be seen that even when it gets dark at 4.30pm today, the lights can be calculated to be providing between 6 and 16 k lux – much better than natural daylight even in the middle of the day.
    ** - for those not familiar with the ISO system of scientific notation , 1 k lux ( 1000 lux) is equal to about 90 foot-candles (fc) - because 1 square meter = 11.2 square feet, and the “candle” is the same in both cases.

  5. #15
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    WOW - Hats off again. If I had to go through all of that I know I would be orchidless! I do grow many terrarium Begonia and Gesneriad species under T8's. But that is too easy with a timer and lid for humidity.

  6. #16
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    Great thread! Great grow area!. A maticulous dedicated man Geoff! also pleased to see the sun and blue sky today after the grey and rainy sessions. I too, for 1st time added some lighting to supplement our dull days.

    What would your feedback be on this summary.

    Mixed collection with x2 4ft fl. light tubes. Zoo med flora sun and zoo med ultra sun.
    One is 6500k full spectrum, other is 8700k full spectrum stating its aid in bio processes for plants.
    Scale of mixed distance between plant tip and tube.
    East with a early south sun window.

    Would very much like to reduce time-on to keep bills down if poss but want to supply a beneficial amount.. Minimal time on IYHO!? Any chance of a approx running cost 11-12 hr day. Both 32w

    Thanks

  7. #17
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    [QUOTE=opaline;282991]Would very much like to reduce time-on to keep bills down if poss but want to supply a beneficial amount.. Minimal time on IYHO!? Thanks[/QUOTE

    4 hours plus is the minimum - but don't split your total running time into two separate periods - that doesn't work.


    Any chance of a approx running cost 11-12 hr day....... Both 32w ?
    ;
    the math - 2 x 32 x 11 = 704 watt/hours. Average UK rate , apart from fixed charges or economy7 , say 20p per kw/hr . Therefore 0.704 x 20 pence per day or about £1 sterling per week.

  8. #18
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    Geoff, this is an awesome thread. I do have a question for you though, however, it is related to watering. The plants above the path - how do you water them and remain dry yourself? In my greenhouse, I have hanging plants above the shelved plants and still get soaked when watering. The only remaining space I have is above the walkways on both sides of the center isle. I was thinking of hanging another pipe there (pretty high up since I am 6'3 and don't fancy ducking under the orchid pots when watering, etc.) My biggest concern is how to water them and stay relatively dry. Thoughts?



    cheers,
    BD

  9. #19
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    Fantastic thread, fantastic information, fantastic plants.

    You've really outdone yourself Geoff!

  10. #20
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    Great information Geoff and thanks for taking the time to explain all this so completely! Such attention to detail is all to rare. AL

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