Welcome! I am happy to see a new member join the Orchid Forums. Please, please, please look through the various orchid threads covering a wide range of topics. I myself started a thread called "Growing Orchids Under Lights". You might find it helpful.
Look through our monthly, "What is in bloom thread". Those are where members post pictures of their orchids in bloom. The new thread for October was just started by Ursula!
I myself have about 150 plants or so under lights at this moment. I have been a greenhouse grower, an outside grower for 9 years in Florida, and now since June of 2018, I am under lights.
I grow on plant carts that I purchased from Gardener's Supply. Here are images!!
I use nothing but T-5 tubes in these carts. Two carts have three 54" x 16" shelves with two tubes each so that makes 6 shelves and 12 tubes. The third cart I have is the high intensity cart as I call it because there are only two shelves BUT 3 tubes per shelf. So I have a GRAND TOTAL of 8 shelves and 18 tubes.
Now I grow mostly Bulbophyllums, Phalaenopsis and Phragmipediums under those lights but I dabble in a few Cattleyas, Dendrobiums etc.
The lights are on 10 hours per day during the winter, 11 hours spring and fall and 12 hours in the summer. All are on timers.
If I can answer any thing else for you just let me know or any of the other great people here can help you. Again welcome!!!
Edited to add: many manufacturers call their T-5 tubes different things like Agra Grow and such. The 54 might refer to wattage. I am getting old and pardon me, a little forgetful, ha ha ha!! I forget how many watts each tube is but they are at 6,500 kelvin in terms of intensity.
