Light and phals in winter

[verian]

Hi!
Now we are into short days what are the light requirements for Orchids, is it ok for the ones in flower living in the artificial light that we use in the home?
Also the orchids that are not in bloom I have moved to a cooler room do they need more than what the daylight hours give.
Ian

[Ray]

Like everything "orchids", it depends....

Some plants are not day-length sensitive. The blooming in phals, for example, is more temperature related.

Then, you have to consider the light requirements of the differeint genera. Some will do fine indoors, others will suffer unless you control the light, humidity and temperature well.

And...do not count on your household artificial lighting to be sufficient. The human eye is extremely adaptable to light level, while a plant is not. For example, plants a meter under overhead 100W incandescent spotlights spaced 50cm apart in my kitchen are essentially in the dark, even though it looks bright to me.