Grow Light v.s fluorescent "Natural" light

[josterha]

Hello all,

I'm posting this in "advanced discussion", because I could not find a better place. I wonder if this means that I'm no longer a newbie?!

I wanted to write for some advice. I am going to be building a new indoor enclosure for my orchids. My collection has gotten too big for the area I currently have. Let me premise this by saying that I only have north-facing windows in my apartment. My plan is to use some ready-made shelving together with some 48 inch-long fluorescent tubes for lighting. This will essentially be the only light source for the orchids, since it will not be near any window.

I was out shopping today and I saw both "aquarium/terrarium grow lights" and "natural" light fluorescent tubes. The grow light had a much lower light temperature (redder) and lower lumen output. The natural light tube was higher temp (blue-er) and higher lumen output.

Since the light fixtures I'm looking at have space for two tubes, I could put one of each in. My chief concern is for the health of the plants, but I also don't want to have "ugly" fluorescent lighting in my apartment, at least I would like to avoid it as much as possible.

I would love some advice from more experienced growers. By the way, my collection is made up completely of phals. and paphs.

Thanks a bunch,

John