How to Grow Orchids Under High Pressure Sodium Light

Orchids come in large and small sizes with a range of different growing habits. They always grow unique, elegant blooms. Orchids are relatively difficult plants requiring specific growing conditions for blooming, including careful temperature, potting media, water, nutrition and lighting control. Growing orchids indoors under standard bulbs satisfies light and temperatures requirements for most of the year, and then switch to high-pressure sodium lights at the new growth and blooming stage.

High-pressure sodium lighting
Watering can
Humidity tray
Gravel/pebbles
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Maintain orchids in their ideal lighting and temperature conditions through the year, depending on variety. Keep the orchids in bright, indirect sun or artificial fluorescent lighting during their dormant periods.
- 2
  Move the orchids to high-pressure sodium lighting when new growth appears. This lighting emits warm red light that encourages flowering in orchids. Set the orchids on counters or tables 5 to 6 feet from the hot lights to avoid burning or drying.
- 3
  Put humidity trays on the counters, fill them with gravel and add water. Set the orchid pots on the gravel in these trays keeping them out of the water. The water evaporates maintaining humidity and moisture in the brighter light and heat from the new lamps. Replenish the water as necessary.
- 4
  Water the orchids with 1 inch of water every other day keeping the potting soil moist but not waterlogged. The potting medium may dry more quickly under these lights.
- 5
  Switching to high-phosphorous, water-soluble fertilizer, such as 10-30-10 or 10-50-10, at this time further encourages new growth and blooming. Feed the plants once a week with this fertilizer solution.

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