Can a Paph. get "too much" light?
 

Hello, thanks for reading.

I have recently purchased a 400watt metal halide lamp. I have the lamp positioned on my northwest window sill so as to supplement the available sunlight. I run it about 10-12 hours a day, right now. It is about 3 feet from my high light plants (Cattleya intergenics, Sophronitis, Aliceara, etc.). My paphs are generally about 4-5 feet from the lamp (give or take a bit). None of my plants have shown any sign of burning, though a couple of my Brassolaelia are showing hints of purple to the leaves.

So, my question is: Can a Paph get too much light? If they aren't burning and aren't warm to the touch, is it safe to assume they're doing alright?

If it matters, I am growing a bit of everything: parvisepalum x cochlopetalum, parvisepalum x polyantha, brachypetalum x polyantha, brachypetalum x cochlopetalum, polyantha x cochlopetalum, cochlopetalum x cochlopetalum and some random maudiae type hybrids

Yes, Paphs definitely can get too much light. If the leaves are a good medium green color (except Parvis and Brachys, which always have a dark green base color), aren't hot, and aren't burning, you're fine. 4-5 feet should be a good distance from the lamp, though I encourage experienced metal halide users to chime in on this.

I supplement my south window light with t5 fluorescents so I understand your concern. As Joe suggests, it is entirely possible to overdo the light. Why not get a good light meter and measure your light? Paphs will take light intensities as high as 2000 foot-candles with no harm. Here's my setup: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ghting2978.jpg

well I have a 250 watt hps and keep mine about 24 inches from the bulb...

I just put a 400 watt mh over another paph last week will let you know tonight or tomorrw how she looks since that is at a friends house where I keep my phals in winter.

It has been a week so I think I will know today how it is working for the paph as to burning or not and that one is about three feet away I believe.....I will measure to be sure today as it is my regular day to go there and water and do maint on them.

Very nice arrangement! What is the name of the plant very well full of flowers to the left on the upper photograph?

Beallara Peggy Ruth Carpenter.

Damn!!!

400 W halides are powerful!

I may not use halides for growing orchids, but I definitely used them for growing staghorn and tabletop corals when I was into saltwater reef tanks.

Staghorn and tabletop corals are very shallow water corals, and are often exposed to full sun during low tide.

That kind of lighting is very, very intense.

I'd put that at least 3 ft above your Paphs.

Thanks for the replies, Joe, Ross, John and Philip. I guess I might have phrased a little oddly. In the end, I probably gathered the information I wanted from the responses, though. I think what I'm wondering, more appropriately phrased, is whether Paphiopedilum can receive too much light without the tell tale signs of burning. Also, whether growing under high light conditions has any effect (positive, or negative) on Paph growth.

Thanks, again
Anthony

well I went and checked on the St Tigris that I am keeping under a 400 watt mh going on one week and it has no signs of burning or yellowing at all and hst new leaves just emerging and they ar fine also.

The 400 watt mh is 23 inches above the plant just off center from the light bulb under the reflector.

I have three of the same paph under a 250 watt hps and it is about the same distance from the hps bulg.They are growing new leaves also they have been under this 250 watt hps for three months now.