Artificial Light For Orchids

Orchids usually need from 12 -14 hours of light in the winter and about 16 hours of light in the summer

. If you are growing entirely, or almost entirely, under artificial light, you will want to emulate this pattern of lighting the best way you can. That can be as easy as a couple of four foot fluorescent bulbs hanging within six to eight inches of your orchid. Some varieties seem to prefer cool white bulbs, some prefer warm white bulbs and some like grow lights. Some growers claim that the new full spectrum bulbs are best. There are even some varieties that need high intensity discharge lighting. That kind of bulb needs a special fixture that will most probably cost more than the fixtures needed for incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. And, some of those bulbs are so bright that growers need to wear special goggles to work in the grow room while the lights are on!

Some growers use special fluorescent plant lights that give off a broad spectrum of light. An inexpensive way to emulate these lights is to use one cool white fluorescent bulb and one warm light fluorescent bulb. The cool white bulb will give off more of the blue wavelengths of the visible light spectrum and the warm white light will give your orchid more of the red end of the spectrum. A broad spectrum of light like this helps to not only grow better but to bloom better. Sometimes growers add an incandescent bulb to enhance the red end of the spectrum but you have to be very careful that you are not burning the leaves with this combination of lighting. Leaves should be bright green rather than dark green. Dark green indicates too little light and reddish green indicates too much lights. Dark splotches on the leaves are sunburn, either from being too close to or getting too much natural or artificial light.

The most inexpensive source of artificial light is fluorescent lights. There are some things you should remember about this kind of lighting, should you decide to use it.

First of all, remember to change the bulbs about once a year, which is about 70% of the life of the bulbs. The light is most intense towards the center of a fluorescent bulb. Place your orchids as close as you can to the bulbs without touching the bulb. Follow the natural seasons. As I said above, in winter orchids need about 12 - 14 hours of light and in summer 16 hours is better. Don't just leave the lights on 24 hours a day thinking "the more the better." Plants need some time off from light just like people. You should watch to make sure that it's being kept moist enough. A humidifier is recommended if you're using artificial lighting. And of course, you need to maintain a watering schedule that will keep your orchids not too dry and not too wet.

by: David E. Carlson

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