How to Make a Light Table to Grow Orchids

Building a light table to grow orchids can be complex or easy, depending on how handy you are with tools and how much time and money you want to invest in your orchid-growing hobby. Orchids provide gorgeous blooms, and the stunning panorama of flowers often creates a collecting mania. This rapidly uses up windowsill space as the collector acquires more plants, creating the need for light tables. Orchids are easily grown under lights. Here's a Saturday afternoon project that even a beginner can tackle to make a light table to grow orchids.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shelving unit
• Light fixtures
• Light bulbs
• Chains to hang the light fixture
• Screwdriver
• Power strip and surge protector
• Extension cord
• Heavy plastic or old cookie sheets

1. Visit your local home remodeling store and purchase a shelving unit. These units come in metal and plastic and are often sold as pantry, storage or garage shelves. Choose either for your project. Most assemble easily and provide adjustable shelves. Be sure there is at least two feet from the shelf to the next shelf to accommodate your light fixture. Shelving units with perforated or lattice-work shelves are ideal because they allow air to circulate and provide ready-made access to hang light fixtures. Use the screwdriver, follow package directions and assemble the shelf. They make great plant light tables for under $50.

2. Purchase flourescent light fixtures in the size needed to fit neatly under each shelf. Hang each fixture from the shelf above, using chains purchased or included with the fixture. Hang the fixtures securely and flush with the shelf above.

3. Place bulbs into each fixture. You can use typical flourescent bulbs or the special "Grow Bulbs" that provide the full light spectrum to plants. One way to accomplish this inexpensively is to try one cool light bulb and one warm-toned flourescent bulb in each two-light flourescent fixture. Each bulb emits a portion of the spectrum, but together, they provide the complete spectrum for maximum growth.

4. Plug each light fixture into the extension cord, and plug the extension cord into a surge protector. You may wish to purchase and add a timer so that you do not need to remember to turn the lights on and off every day.

5. Place heavy plastic or old cookie sheets on each shelf to protect the light fixture below the shelf from the daily water drips, moisture and humidity typical of orchid growing. Place orchid plants on the shelf, and enjoy your new orchid light table.

6. Another way to build a light table that requires more skill is to use an old dining room table, a flourescent light fixture, an old piece of plywood about as long as the light fixture and twice as wide, and pieces of 2 x 4. Build a frame for the light fixture by using evenly cut pieces of the 2 x 4, screwed into the light fixture and then screwed into the piece of wood. This method creates a simple wooden frame for the light fixture. Be sure that the fixture is high enough to accommodate your plants. Place the entire setup on an old table, use the extension cord to plug in the lights, and you have a very simple homemade light table for growing orchids.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wear safety goggles when sawing wood, drilling or using power tools.
• Be careful not to get water onto the light fixtures. Using purchased shelving units is easier than assembling your own light table, but you need to take more care and caution around the light fixtures. Remember that water and electricity never mix, so don't get the fixtures wet.