Hey, watergal. I'll echo that Hooray!

Nothing like the surge of hope and optimism you get when you take a big step forward to take better care of your 'chids. (To say nothing of dealing with the pesky life problems that keep coming atcha).

When I'm not doing right by the orchids, they just whisper and nag reproaches at the back of my mind all day. So getting something right for them is a big stepforward.

Here's to lots and lots of spikes! !!! (And actually, I wouldn't be surprised. *They* know when the light increases, all right)

Congrats on getting the new light going. Maybe take some before/after shots?

Life happens. Last fall, I was gonna switch from T8s to Wonderlites (sp?), and the bulbs were even *given* to me by a buddy. Yeah, well. I also had a mother-in-law-to-assisted-living process, for starters.

Thanks for the reminder. I can ease up on myself a bit for the orchids getting bugs and spots. Added to the rest of life happening, those plants are lucky to be alive.

My empathy with your happenings in life. Glad to hear you're at a spot to change the bulb.

Whitecat8

Congrats on joining your local OS! I too did that this week and I am so excited! So far, it is the only thing that gets me a ticket out of the house. I am a stay-at-home mom and that is where my heart is, but even leaving the boys with their DAD whom they treasure and love is a hassle. They cry when I get back home as if I'd abandoned them - with their dad.... I need to leave more often, I think, but I am so tired by the time my hubby gets home I don't want to go anywhere.

Thanks, all. It feels good to at least think I'm back in control again, LOL.

mehitabel, most of the phals that were big enough did spike. I underwatered a bit and lost some flowers prematurely (WAAAH!) and lost a couple of my big box phals, which were hanging on by their fingernails anyway. No more big box phals from now on, phooey. The minicatts just will not bloom though. I'm going to move them under my T5's, hopefully that should do the trick.

whitecat8, oh the joys of moving a MIL into assisted living - you have my heartfelt sympathy!! Let me know how you like the wonderlites. I had one or two a while back, not on the orchids though. They worked well but ran HOT and burned out sooner than I would have liked. I plan to stick with the HID and T5's from now on, at least until a better technology shows up.

hort lvr, I don't know how old your kids or, or how good of a caretaker their dad is, but it is really essential to your mental health to get out on your own occasionally. I used to be a daycare teacher, then a SAHM, so I know what you're dealing with. If you can convince your boys that they'll be fine, it's no big deal, and you're not feeling guilty about it, it will be easier on all of you. If you feel conflicted and take forever to leave and say goodbye, they will pick up on that, and fuss and carry on a whole lot more. Just my .02. Let me know how you like your OS!