Artificial lighting, what set up to use?

[bryce.martin23]

Im fairly new to this hobby and want to know what the most practical source of lighting would be for my phalaenopsis and oncidiums. I recently bought an all glass diplay case measuring 21" W X 21" L X 72" T. The case is in front of a window that is just as large but only gets morning sun for about 4-5 hours tops. I was wondering if metal halides are too much for my orchids. I was also wondering how many watts i should pump into my case and what color temp to use, I was thinking about 6500 spectrum. Any advice will help.

[chromebright]

I have been sitting here for quite awhile thinking about your questions. And I find I have more questions of my own than answers. I grow in a grow tent with 100% artificial lighting so I don't consider myself qualified to answer when you are trying to mix natural and artificial light.

Questions for you are: 1) is the glass case completely enclosed? 2) do you provide air movement inside the case? 3) how warm does the case get when the sun is shining on it? 4) how cool does it get inside when the sun isn't shining and at night? 5) what is the humidity inside the case?

In general, though, I would guess that the phalanopsis are going to do just fine without any supplemental lighting. The oncidiums may do OK, also, but it would depend on the species or hybrid.

My own philosophy is that orchids can take alot more light in cultivation than they might be observed doing in nature and I give mine as much as they can handle without actually burning the leaves.

[purpleplantman]

I used 5000K ct Nelson fluoros as side lighting in an indoor system with desk lamps as mounts.With HPS or MH think heat buildup in a case; try bulb type fluoros.

[theanalyst]

I have an indoor greenhouse that is about 7 feet tall and 3 feet wide. There is glass on 3 sides and the back was originally open, though I covered it with drop ceiling light covers. It stands in front of a window, which receives light (filtered from the ceiling cover) for much of the day. I have paper over the ceiling cover on the top shelf to diffuse the light even more, for a small phal and dendrobium. The middle shelf has a cattleya and zygo, which have a T5 over them, that is lit for about 5 hours a day (late afternoon into evening). The other lighting I use is for my mounted gastrochilus, which has a lamp with a 60 watt equivalent CFL about a foot above it. Other orchids live near windows in my house.

[RJSquirrel]

you put metal halides on a little glass case like that with orchids and you can also pick up a salad fork to go with em when there done frying..only gets morning sun is all you need