Great Tips For Your Orchid Lights
Most orchids are used to growing in sunny parts of the world, so many do best in well lit areas. However, there are varieties that have slightly different needs. Most like 4 to 6 hours of natural light daily. Harsh, hot direct light is never good. Many of these plants grow in nature with lots of humidity and filtered light. Since light is vital for thriving and healthy orchids, some owners opt for orchid lights.
This way they have direct control over the amount of light their plant is getting. Many lights have clamp on fixtures, and can rotate 360 degrees and angle at 90 degrees. Florescent lights are good to encourage blooming, as they give light with no heat. A dark or shady apartment may need florescent orchid lights for 12 hours.
A combination of sunlight and fluorescent light makes a great combination for many orchid blossoms. If leaves are dark green and soft, or bluish, this probably means they are not getting enough light. Yellow, bleached out leaves indicate too much light. Your own experience will become the best way to tell when or how to adjust the orchid lights. Bright, light green and glossy leaves are good indictors of health. Blossoming of your orchid means it is very healthy.
If your plant is placed by a window, make sure it is draft-free. A south window is good for morning and afternoon sun. Indoor orchids need more light, as they are tropical in nature and used to getting more light outdoors. They are not used to winter at all. Remember, they don’t always need direct sunlight, but a light source.
Each kind of orchid has a slightly different light requirement. Some do ok out in the shade, or in trees. For house orchids, artificial lights will give you the most control. You may want to purchase orchid lights for these types of orchids. Bright light and indirect sun is required by Cymbidiums, Vandas, Cattleyas, and Dendrobiums. Those requiring medium light, but no direct sun, are Oncidinae, Intergenerics, Oncidiums, Miniature Cattleyas, Philanaenopsis, and Phramepediyms.
Orchids requiring low light levels, in the source of bright, indirect light, are the Jewel orchids. These are Paphiopidilems, and some Angraecoids. LED orchid lights are available and provide high spectrum light for your indoor plants. Remember, if your orchid is Epiphytic, it has a root system that needs sunlight for photosynthesis.
Indoor grow lights for your orchid come in the very simple to the very complex. Budget indoor grow lights provide a range of popular reflectors. Digital indoor grow lights give you a little more control. Air-cooled indoor orchid lights make sure light temperatures don’t get too hot for your plant. Whatever light you choose, make sure what individual light requirements your orchid has first. Generally, when orchids are in a resting phase, they won’t require as much light. In growing or flowering seasons, they will need more light. Never put an orchid in the dark when it is not flowering. It still needs sunlight, as all plants do, for life and photosynthesis.
