The Orchid Garden

Grow Lights

Question:

I am totally not experienced in orchids.

        ‘Sokay. We still respect you. I bought one 2 years ago in bloom and it hasnt bloomed since.

        ‘Sokay. At least it’s alive. It is a moth orchid.

        Generally the genus _Phalaenopsis_. Someone said it wasnt getting enought light so I bought a GE gro and show 65 watt floodlight type bulb and fixture. The instructions say to place the lamp 1-2 feet away. My question is does it matter if I mount the lamp on the wall above  to shine down or will it work just as well on the table next to the orchid?  

        Well, first off- let’s tackle what the plant has done. What would indicate the orchid is not getting enough light? Phals that get enough light will have rich, full leaves; of course, comparison with another phal is generally required.         How about the root tips? Phals should have green or reddish root tips when actively growing; if these tips are over 1 cm long at the peak growth phase, then although there may be room for improvement- you’re doing great.         More importantly, some phals flower seasonally. Tampering with the daylength by putting them under lights can cause them to become confused, keeping them from flowering for a year or more. Phals are fine windowsill plants, and growing them under lights (particularly for just a handful of plants) can be arduous and relatively expensive.         For flowering phals, the daylength is important, but so is temperature. Phals that aren’t exposed to cooler temperatures (down to 50-55F) for a couple of weeks in the winter may not flower the coming spring. To a lesser degree, nutrition is important- magnesium (in the form of epsom salts, 1-2 teaspoons per gallon as a kind of fertilizer) will help some orchids flower.         Your best bet might be to go to an orchid society meeting, and see what the local growers have to say about its appearance; a real pro can look at a phal and tell you if it’s getting too much light, not enough, needs repotting, etc. Things that are not always apparent to us via the Internet (the plant is leggy and "crawling" up and out of the pot with its growth habit being what it is, etc.) may be quite important, and also immediately identifable to a seasoned pro.         -AJHicks         Socorro, NM

Response:

Hi, I am totally not experienced in orchids. I bought one 2 years ago in bloom and it hasnt bloomed since. It is a moth orchid. Someone said it wasnt getting enought light so I bought a GE gro and show 65 watt floodlight type bulb and fixture. The instructions say to place the lamp 1-2 feet away. My question is does it matter if I mount the lamp on the wall above  to shine down or will it work just as well on the table next to the orchid? Any help is appreciated!! Mike

Response:

Filed under: Orchid Flower

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