Question
Hi,

I am experienced in growing moth orchids and am ready to try other kinds however, my home doesn't have sufficient light for some. Can you recommend which kind of grow lights I should get?

Thanks,
Alex

Answer
Hi Alex,

Specially designed plant grow lights are usually quite expensive to purchase and some are also expensive to operate. The best grow light set up is a double fluorescent fixture in which you insert cool white and a warm white fluorescent tubes.

These inexpensive standard fluorescent tubes are sold almost everywhere will cover the spectral range that plants require for healthy growth and flowering. They are much less expensive than specially designed "full spectrum" tubes, yet achieve comparable results. You can purchase them in lengths from 2 feet to 8 feet, depending on your fixture and available space.

Because they do not burn hot, you can place fluorescent tubes within a few inches of the plants without burning them. The closer the tubes, the greater the light intensity, so you can control light intensity by adjusting the height of the fixture, as well as the wattage of the tubes.

Most importantly, fluorescent tubes use very little energy compared to incandescent lights, so you can afford to leave them on for 8-16 hours per day without sending your electricity costs through the roof!

Special full spectrum fluorescent grow lights work just as well, but they are a lot more expensive to buy and come in more limited lengths and wattages. Incandescent grow lights burn very hot and waste tremendous amounts of energy, so I do not recommend them.

I have written an article on light for indoor plants that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com