Natural Or Artificial Light - Which is Best For Your Orchids?
Orchids, like many other kinds of house plants, have very specific needs including light, water and nutrition.
One of the most important elements to the health of your orchid plant is the kind of light that it receives.
Because orchids are typically found in tropical and rainforest regions of the world, they need ample amounts of diffused light, which is a combination of sun and shade.
There are so many different species of orchids and they all require this combination of sun and shade, but the amount can vary from species to species.
Here are few general rules about orchids.
Natural Light First, since orchids come from these tropical regions that normally get distinct patterns of sun and shade.
In order to provide this in your home, try sitting your orchids facing the eastern window.
Doing so will give expose them to the cooler morning sun and prevent them from burning in the strong afternoon sun.
Secondly, if natural light is not adequate or not available, then an artificial source is a great alternative.
You can grow orchids under artificial light easily.
Orchids grown under artificial light can grow just as healthy as orchids under the sun.
One advantage with artificial light is that there are never any cloudy days, so caring for the orchids can be constant and consistent.
Artificial Light What kind should you use? Manufacturers are introducing new types it seems every month.
The two most widely used are incandescent and fluorescent.
Incandescent are the most typical and the least expensive.
However incandescent generate tremendous amounts of heat.
So be careful when using incandescent, not to place your orchids too close.
Try to keep them at least 2 feet away.
Doing so will keep the leaves from burning.
Fluorescent offer great results.
Fluorescents are engineered to provide a full spectrum of light, and they are more efficient at turning energy into light.
Many people have been successful with growing orchids using fluorescent; however some growers will also tell you that a mixture of both fluorescent and incandescent seems to work better than fluorescent lights alone.
Natural or Artificial Whether using natural or artificial, you want to make sure your orchids are getting the proper amount of light.
Lack of proper light is a major reason orchids do not bloom.
Orchids need a certain amount of light duration.
Orchids generally require 12-14 hours of light during winter and about 16 hours of light in the summer.
To help make up for what artificial lights lack in sun power, keep them on for 14 to 16 hours per day.
Provide just as much artificial as you would provide daylight, or about equal hours.
Do not extend day length.
This could prevent the orchid from blooming.
Darkness is as important to the orchid as the light.
Also keep in mind that too much sun could cause the orchid to sunburn.
One of the most important elements to the health of your orchid plant is the kind of light that it receives.
Because orchids are typically found in tropical and rainforest regions of the world, they need ample amounts of diffused light, which is a combination of sun and shade.
There are so many different species of orchids and they all require this combination of sun and shade, but the amount can vary from species to species.
Here are few general rules about orchids.
Natural Light First, since orchids come from these tropical regions that normally get distinct patterns of sun and shade.
In order to provide this in your home, try sitting your orchids facing the eastern window.
Doing so will give expose them to the cooler morning sun and prevent them from burning in the strong afternoon sun.
Secondly, if natural light is not adequate or not available, then an artificial source is a great alternative.
You can grow orchids under artificial light easily.
Orchids grown under artificial light can grow just as healthy as orchids under the sun.
One advantage with artificial light is that there are never any cloudy days, so caring for the orchids can be constant and consistent.
Artificial Light What kind should you use? Manufacturers are introducing new types it seems every month.
The two most widely used are incandescent and fluorescent.
Incandescent are the most typical and the least expensive.
However incandescent generate tremendous amounts of heat.
So be careful when using incandescent, not to place your orchids too close.
Try to keep them at least 2 feet away.
Doing so will keep the leaves from burning.
Fluorescent offer great results.
Fluorescents are engineered to provide a full spectrum of light, and they are more efficient at turning energy into light.
Many people have been successful with growing orchids using fluorescent; however some growers will also tell you that a mixture of both fluorescent and incandescent seems to work better than fluorescent lights alone.
Natural or Artificial Whether using natural or artificial, you want to make sure your orchids are getting the proper amount of light.
Lack of proper light is a major reason orchids do not bloom.
Orchids need a certain amount of light duration.
Orchids generally require 12-14 hours of light during winter and about 16 hours of light in the summer.
To help make up for what artificial lights lack in sun power, keep them on for 14 to 16 hours per day.
Provide just as much artificial as you would provide daylight, or about equal hours.
Do not extend day length.
This could prevent the orchid from blooming.
Darkness is as important to the orchid as the light.
Also keep in mind that too much sun could cause the orchid to sunburn.
