Leave them both in a window. Shop lights, generally speaking, are not strong enough to bloom cattleyas. They are better reserved for plants that require lower light: paphs, phals, oncidiums.

I have the sunlight bulbs and they seem to do very good. When I just had the ones that came with the grow light., I dont think they were strong enough, but these seem to be. I got mine at Lowes (sunlight). I have milts, phals & catts. I dont know about some of yours, just thought I would mention this. Tricia

Here in central NJ I have the Potinara BB and other catts in a south facing window and the Little Stars in a west facing window. They bloomed and did okay during the winter. This is based on them summering outside.

If three have bloomed for you in the window, there's your answer. If there wasn't enough light they would never have bloomed.

Works for me, I'll keep these orchids in the window again and keep the same setup as last year.

I will keep the sunlight bulbs at Lowes in mind in case any of the bulbs blow this winter since I do use them for streps, phals etc :) Thanks for the opinions!

I live in Washington state the rain forest. So not much sunshine. I have a solarium with 9 skylights and 7 5x6 windows. The room is very bright. I still use the coil flourscent lights 55 watt, over each windows growing area.
I keep them on a timer for 14 hours. Like they say if you get new growth you will get flowers. No new growth you are not getting enough light. I like the CFL better that the 4 ft sticks. Your light is more concentrated and you can put it where you want it and need it.

Ron, now that's a great inexpensive option for one window. Last winter there was pretty good light for me, well, more than normal. If this winter is more cloudy/snowy that could come in handy. Appreciated!

You could add a couple of CFLs to the window sill.

What are the sunlight bulbs from Lowes? how many watts? can you be more specific?
thanks
stefano

Would love to know response for stefpix also. I purchased Format floorlamp from Ikea and plan on buying a couple more for the windowsill. I purchased 'ecosmart' daylight cfl 75 watt eq (19 watts energy used) 1100 lumens. I don't know if I'm on the right track with this bulb (HD purchase) and want to push the bulb to 100 watt eq. (lamp is 75 max).

You are on the right track. I have included a link to an old post I did a couple of years ago using the same floor lamp from Ikea.

It gives the light used, how I had to jimmy rig the hood of the lamp to direct the light, the FCs achieved and the distance from the bulb to get the FCs.

Your lamp should be able to take a normal incandescent bulb of 65 watts. The 42 watt equivalent is in the safe range and won't be a fire hazard.

Brooke

Here is a link that might be useful: Ikea floor lamp + appropriate bulb

Brooke, your advice led me to Ikea :) The lamp I purchased is a step up from the suggested lamp (Format $40 vs. Lersta $15) and it supports more wattage (75 vs 42?) The cfl is housed inside the hood horizontally instead of pointing straight out which was another reason why I purchased, figuring that every inch of light matters.

I don't want to deviate from the thread but thought that some of this might be useful. I will definitely experiment with higher wattage for the lamp, but "incandescent"? It's what you mentioned above so I'm just making sure.

I'm glad I'm getting somewhere, thanks a bunch :)

The highest wattage that is safe for your lamp is the best.

Sometimes people get confused on the equivalent vs the actual brightness of the bulb. Your 19 watt equivalent is not enough light to do much.

Yes you are now addicted.

Brooke

No problem here! Thanks for the link :)

25 W CFLs [actual Watts] are enough to make my Pinguiculas bloom. For orchids I think you may need way more or keep the lamp really close to the leaves.

I had to make two corrections. I was indeed confusing the equivalent watts with actual energy used. When I corrected my bulb purchase it wouldn't fit into the lamp I purchased and ended up exchanging it for 2 Lerstas (that was the upside of it).

The bulb I am using is 'ecosmart' 150 watt equivalent (2600 lumens, 42 energy used in watts). Lersta takes up to 60 max energy used safely and the Format lamp I had before 75 max.

It took a while for my elevator to reach the top on that one. The only thing I'm not sure about is that they only had 'soft white' available in that cfl. I'll be happy not to have to step foot in either Ikea or HD for a while :)

shop lights and CFLs will work for orchids with high light requirements if you lower the lights close to the plants. approx 8-12"

you can hook them up to timers and run the lights 14-16 hours per day.

i bought a few cheap clamp on lamps and 40watt (actual energy used) CFL bulbs from HD, and some pvc pipes and built a cheap stand to attach the clamp on lamps to during the winter months. i've also purchased a few large 65 watt (actual energy used) CFL bulbs online.

Just wondering if you ever bloomed this plant: Blc. his light x victor gold.
And do you remember where you purchased it?
Saw one in bloom at the Northwest Orchid Society Show & Sale this weekend. Just opened and nicely scented yellow-green with red in the lip. Want one but theirs was Sample-Only