subject: Orchid Lights: Is HID the Growers Answer? [print this page] As a home horticulturist orchid grower you may have more orchids than the window sill space can handle. The answer is to expand to the use of orchid lights. While diffused sunlight is still the optimal source we must at times explore other options for our plants. These options can be incandescent light or fluorescent tube light. However, to go the HID or High-Intensity-Discharge type of lights will produce premium results. This lighting can be put to use in an extra room, down in the basement or a large closet. You might think right away, am I going to invite my friends to look at my orchids in my bedroom closet, no. You can use these alternative sites to bring the beautiful orchids to bloom then rotate them in your home for display.
When investigating the development of a lighting system, consider room or space available, electrical needs, and temperature and air flow, all critical components to the growing of your orchids. When taking into account the orchids' lighting needs, remember this is a tropical plant. Metal-halide lamps match the color spectrum more closely than any other HID lamp. Understand that fluorescent lights do provide a lighting spectrum comparable to natural sunlight, but lack the output that is needed to bring a Vanda or Dendrobium to full bloom.
When proceeding to implement an orchid grow lights program for your orchids there are different kinds of HIDs to give thought to. Metal-halide do match up with the sun's rays the best and this will result in great vegetative growth. While other types of HID'S are better to develop the plant into blooming. This would be a high-pressure-sodium type lamp. The light spectrum of this lamp is limited and is best used in conjunction with the Metal-halide for maximum results. As a side note, high-pressure-sodium lamps will work great as a supplement to natural sunlight in a greenhouse. Low-pressure-sodium lights are of little value to the orchid grower for the light given off is in a narrow yellow band.
To reach peak optimal lighting the mixing or combining of Metal-halide and high-pressure-sodium lights will achieve this. The fact is that HIDs deliver more light than a fluorescent tube can hope to produce per watt of output. The systems can be found in 150,175,250,400, and 1000 watt configurations. Purchasing a system like this on-line is your best approach. If you live in a large metro area with an electrical supply source you may be in luck.
The best efficiency for the use of this type of lighting is to install and use light movers. A light mover is a rail that allows for the movement of the light fixture to different positions in the room or space needing the light provided. This lets the light or lights to be moved along a rail to cover more growing area. The rail can be in lengths of four, six or eight foot long. This means a sixteen foot circle could be covered with HID light. The light mover permits the maximum use of the grow lights for orchids you will install.
While cost is a necessary factor in the return on investment the related enjoyment from increased amount and quality of blooms is also to be considered. Happy Orchid Growing!
