Could My Desk Lamps Pose as a Problem?

[Sommeil]

Hello fellow orchid lovers!

This Christmas, my father bought me a book called "The Orchid Expert" by Dr. Hessayon. Although there seems to be some grammatical and spelling errors in the book, it provides some very useful information. Something that concerned me is that the book mentioned desk lamps being turned on too long could inhibit flower production especially for Oncidiums and Dendrobiums.

Although I'm an insomniac who loves to study until 3 a.m., I was never too worried about this. I mean... the desk lamp I use when I study at night is the only thing I have on and is so much dimmer compared to the day light + supplemental lighting I have for my orchids on that same desk during the day.

I want to know what the rest of you growers think. Should I do something about this? That window is the only place I can have my orchids... Perhaps I should utilize a plant cover during my study hours?

[naoki]

In some plants, day/night length is the definite cue for flower initiation (obligately photoperiodic). I think most common orchids aren't obligately photoperiodic. Some (a few) orchids are facultatively photoperiodic, meaning day/night length can "help", but not required for, flower initiation. Majority of common orchids shouldn't be influenced by the day length. So I wouldn't worry about it.

If your plants are short-day plants (plants which flower generally in fall/winter), using infra-red for 10-30 min. at the end of the day can trick the plant to think that it is winter in some cases.

[Sommeil]

Oh wow! Do you have any more info on this infra-red light trick?

[naoki]

Not technical, but how about this?
http://www.inda-gro.com/pdf/420-Pfr-PontoonIntro.pdf

[Dendy83]

I do know that plants require a "rest" in a day cycle, meaning it does need to be perfectly dark for a certain amount of time. If 3am is the latest you're up, then that's probably ok as the plants get about 5-6 hours of darkness. If you're up longer then you might want to use a different room.

[Laserbeak]

Originally Posted by Dendy83

I do know that plants require a "rest" in a day cycle, meaning it does need to be perfectly dark for a certain amount of time. If 3am is the latest you're up, then that's probably ok as the plants get about 5-6 hours of darkness. If you're up longer then you might want to use a different room.

Not all plants require a dark period, only some. It has to do with the stomata or tiny openings on their leaves. Some plants automatically close them during the day to keep water from evaporating, so exposing them to 24 hours of light every day basically suffocates them because there is no gas exchange through the stomata. Other types don't have this problem and can be exposed to 24 hours of light at least during their vegetative growth period.

[Sommeil]

Originally Posted by naoki

Not technical, but how about this?
http://www.inda-gro.com/pdf/420-Pfr-PontoonIntro.pdf

Oh wow! This is amazing! I would definitely invest in this once I'm not a college student

Okay, so I guess there is some disputes as to whether or not some orchids need a dark period. Obviously my phals don't need one really since they began to spike about two weeks ago, but as for the oncidiums and dendrobiums, this may or may not be an issue. Of course I haven't had them long enough to know whether or not this effects their blooming cycle, but maybe I could make a cover for them if it does.