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metal halide/sodium lights

Momentarily unlurking here to post a question or two.  I'm looking at 
light systems - one for supplemental light in my mother's greenhouse where 
she raises orchids, one for my basement where I also raise orchids, but so 
far only have luck with paphiopedilums under the fluorescents.

1.  We saw halogen lights being used in a Wardian case but not in larger 
figures.  Halogen lights seem to be cheaper - do they not lend themselves 
to large-scale light setups?

2.  For my operations where the fixtures will be the sole source of light, 
I see I must use a combination of metal halide and sodium for growth and 
blooming so instead of using one 1000 watt fixture, I'm considering two 400 
watt fixtures, one of each type.  I'm uneasy about light movers but I move 
the plants around regularly anyway.  Would it be better to have one 1000 
watt fixture with metal halide and a second with a 400 watt sodium?

3.  Mom's lights in the greenhouse would be used sporadically - probably 
during those protracted cloudy spells that come at just the wrong time and 
possibly to fill in during the winter (we're in Minnesota where the days 
are often bright in the winter but always short).  Any pitfalls here?  I'm 
thinking something on the order of condensation building up on the bulb and 
blowing it out when she turns the light on after several weeks.

4.  These puppies are not cheap.  Any chance that a) the price may 
eventually come down; b) the technology may be abandoned due either to 
alternate systems, e.g. Sony Betamax, or lack of interest, or something 
"light years" better?
Anita Dille

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