Orchid Lights For Different Plant Types

Using orchid lights is an orchid grower's way of controlling the plant environment where an orchid plant lives. With correct use, these lights can create healthier plant growth and encourage your precious orchid plants to bloom splendidly. In their original habitat, orchids get their light from the sun. Even under thick forest cover, or on a field or between crevices of rocks, the orchid plant adapts to the amount of sunlight it receives. For orchid farms, installing orchid lights is just one way to maintain the health of their plants.

Different orchid types have different needs so orchid growers need to consider this when choosing or caring for their plants. There are three types of orchids according to their need for lights. There are low, medium and high light orchids. The kind of orchid will determine what lighting arrangement you need for your plants.

Low light orchids like Lady Slipper and Phalaenopsis enjoy the north or east facing window. However this doesn't mean that all orchids like being in this position all the time. Experts always insist that although there is a basic set of parameters for a particular type of orchid, it is still pretty much your call when you begin caring for them.

Every orchid reacts differently to its environment but orchid lights can definitely help make the adaptation quicker. Both the Lady Slipper and the Phalaenopsis are good to start with because they aren't very hard to grow under natural or artificial lighting. If you have been growing orchids for some time then you would have enough confidence to bloom this orchid type.

<a></a>Medium light orchids can stand a little more sun exposure than low light orchids and can require a little more care. If you plan to keep this type of orchid in the house then acquiring artificial lighting for your plants will help unless you can move them every so often to places where they can get more exposure.High light orchids bask in the sun but that doesn't mean they can be left there indefinitely. Depending on your location and the type of high light orchid you get, these plants can take bright light but never direct sunlight which will burn the leaves. Early morning sunlight is good but the noon sun can be pretty harsh. These plants can be placed on eastern facing windows with a curtain or shade.

If your area lacks the natural source they need then artificial lights will do as well. Remember that these plants are accustomed to getting light and shade at regular times. Also the surrounding temperature is an important factor as well. Orchid lights can be connected to a timer so that it can mimic the natural preference of these plants. This also makes it more convenient for the home grower who is not always present.

Artificial lights can be a simple fluorescent lamp set at the correct distance away from the plant. You may also purchase special grow lights from garden supply shops. Using artificial orchid lights, you can mimic the natural cycle that the orchid receives in its natural setting. In addition to fluorescents and incandescents, metal halides and high pressure sodium lights are available in the market. Plants benefit from these orchid lights by the blue or red colors they emit. Blue makes your orchids grow while red encourage them to bloom. It is a good idea to mix up the colors so that the orchid can benefit from the light variation.

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