I have an Araucaria heterophylla as houseplant and I was thinking installing some sort of plant light since winter is long and dark here. I have understood this particular plant does not require huge amount of light and main focus is just help it do better in winter.

I have to options.

1 - Osram floraset and 80w hql-r. I have only two used lamps, other one little dimmed out and otherone has problem of strong mains frequency flashing. I have one new but it's for collection. Has these lamps been banned or are these exception?

2 - MH spotligh with 70w cdm-t 830. Plus side is that lamps are available and easy to find. Colour is much nicer and uses less energy than hql-r.

Which one would be spectral wise better for the plant? Floraset would be easier to mount but MH spot would have better colour.

I would use the MH, because MV is famously bad at letting plants glow.

Norfolk Island pine is a light loving tree, place it in full sunlight as much as possible, and use the metal halide during darker periods, Mercury isn't the best lighting for it.. 

Use the MH lamp-they are closer to sunlight than other light sources.Pro growers use them for growth-then use HPS for budding and flowers.Some growers use BOTH!

I have an Araucaria heterophylla as houseplant and I was thinking installing some sort of plant light since winter is long and dark here. I have understood this particular plant does not require huge amount of light and main focus is just help it do better in winter.

I have to options.

1 - Osram floraset and 80w hql-r. I have only two used lamps, other one little dimmed out and otherone has problem of strong mains frequency flashing. I have one new but it's for collection. Has these lamps been banned or are these exception?

2 - MH spotligh with 70w cdm-t 830. Plus side is that lamps are available and easy to find. Colour is much nicer and uses less energy than hql-r.

Which one would be spectral wise better for the plant? Floraset would be easier to mount but MH spot would have better colour.

The Osram Floraset fixture with the Osram HQL-R Deluxe 80W, was very popular for plant growing in public spaces here. Of course, the Philips CDM-T 70W/830 lamp would do a better job than the HQL-R Deluxe 80W, as it richer in red and produces stronger light.

Alright, thanks for the advices. Here is the end result. This particular plant locates here in the winter time. Fixture is Lival MH spotlight with 70w Philips CDM-T 830 lamp and magnetic ballast. Now I just need a neater extension cord and a timer. This particular spotlight is very good since it has narrow beamwide so it lights only what is needed.

Looks good, the tree will be happy in no time..

The spotlight looks nice-yes-the plant will love it!-along with the humans.I use ceramic metal halide plant lights for reg lighting-love the warm white color-3100K.

100% MH