Hi,
I recently took up growing orchids in my apartment window and was thrilled when I found this forum. I have added a couple of lights to supplement my windowsill orchids during the winter, and I was wondering what type of bulbs would be best. I have two standard clamp shop lights, one on either side of my plants, each rated for 75 watts. Currently I am using a 75 watt indoor plant light in one fixture, and a 100 watt equivalent (uses 23 Watts) bright white spiral fluorescent bulb in the other. The "grow-light" bulb generates quite a bit of heat, so I can't keep it as close to the plants as I can the spiral fluorescent. Any ideas on which bulbs are best are and how close the bulbs should be to the orchids?

Thanks a lot everyone, this forum has helped a lot!

Jack

Hi Jack, and welcome to the forum!

We've had a lot of postings about this subject. There is a search button at the top of the page. Try typing in "lighting" or "fluorescent" and see if any of those threads are of help.

Hi Jack,:hi: :welcome:

Welcome to the Slipper Orchid Forum!

What direction is your window facing? If its south, or maybe even east or west the light level is probably okay with what you have. The only suggestion I would have is to use the 150 watt equivelent compact fluorescents (the spiral ones) instead of the 100s--the brighter you can get with these the better.

As for distance to the bulbs, put the plants as close to them as possible as long as they are not generating too much heat. I grow under fluorescents in shop light fixtures and have many of my plants within 2-4 inches.