A dumb artificial light question

[Becca]

This may be a silly question, but when using artificial lighting in terrariums and warden cases, is it still possible to burn the leaves of orchids as the sun would do if they were receiving more then the amount of light needed? I think I am going to have a long process ahead of me when I receive my orchidarium (hopefully someday) with were to place the plants.

[aquanut415]

it depends on what kind of light, and how close the plants are to the light.

for NO (normal output)fluorescent tubes, ive been able to actually let the leaves grow into the bulbs without any problems.

for CF (compact fluorescent) tubes and t5 as well as t5h0, burning can occur at distances as far away as a few inches.

[Ross]

Not a dumb question at all! Yes it is, theoretically possible, just not probable. It is possible to stack too many t5 florescents together over shade-loving orchids, but most people only use two-tube t12 florescents.

[Becca]

The bulbs that come with the orchidarium are: six 21", 4800 lumen, high intensity, bi-axial lamps.

[Ross]

Stick with those till you know know you need something else. I'm glad you got the 6-lamp option rather than 4-lamp.