How to use artificial lighting tubes in orchid cultivation

Depending on the differences in the growing location, lighting tubes come in several different length specifications to choose from: 20W - 0.6m long, 30W - 0.9m long, 40W - 1.2m long At the same time, the number of tubes and the irradiation intensity should be determined according to the choice of lighting fixtures, the surrounding reflective conditions (such as walls, frames, etc.), the number of plants and the coverage range. Generally, once the tube length is determined, within a range of 1.5-2 m in the intensity direction, using one TLD/89 tube and one 03 (or 77) tube together is sufficient; for slightly wider locations, one more TLD/89 tube can be added, and if the intensity is doubled, the number of tubes is also doubled. If the location is indoors, or the surrounding light is dim, ordinary tri-phosphor tubes can be used to increase the lighting intensity, which not only meets the need but also keeps the cost relatively acceptable. According to experiments, the irradiation height of the tubes is generally 25-50 cm from the leaf surface, and for some varieties it can even be 10-15 cm. Moreover, adjusting the irradiation height can also adjust the light intensity: the higher the irradiation height, the lower the intensity, and vice versa. By no means should the illuminance be too high, the light saturate, or the ultraviolet be too strong and scorch the orchid leaves! The irradiation intensity can be measured with a light meter; other aspects are generally determined based on experience. The lighting fixtures can be ordinary fluorescent lamp fixtures, equipped with an ordinary fluorescent lamp ballast (starter). Since the light source is of high value, it is recommended to choose an electronic ballast of the same brand as the tube, so that the tube's service life can be maximized and the tube's effectiveness brought into full play. There are very many choices of fixture styles; it is recommended to purchase according to the characteristics of the location, the installation position and the affordable budget.