Proper Orchid Light
What light through yonder window breaks? For orchid light, let’s hope that it is bright, indirect light for the best growing conditions for most orchids.
To determine the best lighting conditions for orchids, it’s best to remember their origins. Most orchids hail from tropical jungles where they grow in the air, rather than in soil. For that reason, they’re used to getting filtered, indirect light from the overhead tree canopy in warm moist conditions.
For determining exactly what type of orchid lighting is needed for your plant, it’s best to make sure it’s properly identified to give it the proper growing conditions. It is the lighting conditions that are often at the root – no pun intended – of any orchid problem, particularly orchids that won’t bloom. In fact, 90% of the time, the cause of a non-blooming orchid is insufficient light.
Natural Orchid Light
For many common orchids, such as the Phalaenopsis, Moth Orchid, the best lighting condition is a bright window. East windows are perfect, south and west facing windows are acceptable. During the cold Northern winters, southern exposure may be needed.
Other varieties of orchids, such as the Cattleya orchid which is so popular for corsages, hate direct sun in the middle of the day which can cause sunburn. East or west facing windows are best, and with southern windows, a sheer curtain can help filter sunlight.
Artificial Orchid Light
For homes and greenhouses that can’t offer proper lighting conditions for orchids, consider artificial lighting. Fluorescent and incandescent lights placed from six inches to one foot above the leaves is normally sufficient in the home. Keeping the lights on 12-14 hours per day to simulate the normal day/night lighting cycle for orchids will provide optimal growing conditions.
In the greenhouse, some shade should be provided for the orchid to avoid too much sun. If you hold your hand approximately 12 inches above the orchid’s leaves, and don’t see a shadow, that is just the right amount of light for the Moth Orchid.
While you can’t always expect to find the perfect lighting conditions for your orchid right away, your plant will tell you what it needs:
- Deep, dark green leaves are normally a sign that the plant is not getting enough light;
- Grassy green colored leaves mean lighting conditions are optimal;
- Paled leaves with brown or black splotches indicate too much light and patches of ‘sunburn’ are forming.
As is the case with most aspects of orchid care, having an orchid that’s properly identified is the first step to providing the best orchid light and care. Watching your plant and listening when it tells you it’s not happy, is the second step.
