I've got a few phalaenopsis orchids on a shelf in my apartment that don't get much natural light, and I'm thinking about setting up some LED grow lights to help them along. Would cheap Amazon LED panels work, or do I need something specific for orchids? Also, how many hours a day should they be on?
LED grow lights work fine for phalaenopsis orchids and you don't need anything fancy - basic Amazon panels will do the job as long as they output somewhere in the 400-700nm spectrum (which most do). The real thing to watch is intensity and distance; orchids aren't super demanding but they want moderate light rather than blasting them, so aim for maybe 12-16 hours a day at a distance where the light feels warm to your hand but not hot. Are your orchids currently in bloom or just vegetating, and how close can you get the lights to the shelf? That'll help dial in whether a cheap panel is strong enough or if you need something with a bit more punch.
Don't stick them right under the lights with no air circulation - phals hate heat buildup and can get leaf burn. The main thing people miss is that cheap panels often run way too hot if you don't keep some distance, so mount them at least 12-18 inches above the plants and make sure there's a bit of airflow, then run them 12-14 hours a day.
The 12-14 hour daily window that works for most phals is solid, but the real make-or-break detail is distance - cheap panels especially need to be 12-18 inches away (depends on wattage, so what's your setup like?) to avoid that heat stress people mention. Your Amazon panel will genuinely work, just don't skimp on a basic timer and maybe a small clip fan nearby to keep air moving around the leaves.
Log into answer.
