Pete wrote:
I have looked at several posts regarding lighting, and I still
haven't been able to come up with a satisfactory answer to my
problem.

I have one phalaenopsis and the best window I have is north-facing. The
window receives a little light but not nearly enough, so I need to
provide supplemental lighting. I have read varying opinions about
florescent and "plant lights" that Phillips, and the like, makes
and cannot decide what I need to get for my situation. I have limited
space. I was thinking about buying a compact florescent desk lamp. Will
this do the job? Or, will the bulb-style plant light be better. I would
assume that the plant light would get fairly warm since it is a bulb.
Any help is appreciated.

--Pete

If you are planning to leave the Phal at the north window, the answer is
easy. The north window light is good light, there's just not enough of
it. All you need to do is add some more. I think the fluorescent desk
lamp would be enough as long as you can have it quite close to your plant.
The thing I really don't understand is planning on just one orchid. Are
you sure you shouldn't just go ahead and plan light for as many as the
window will hold. ... and then one more... ?

Steve