this was how I grew my Av's..
Had 3 of these custom made Stands lined with heavy plastic and one Plant stand.Everything under lights. Matted with white blankets on top of egg crate. (light crates)
Winning show plants "Pushover" "Happy Cricket" and "Red Ferrari" in front of a 20" Fan.to show the size of the plants.
Very beautiful.
That's quite a setup. More importantly, those are marvelous AVs and obvious show stoppers. My stands are more modest (2x4s and shop lights) and my plants are even more modest, the best with just a few blooms and not the perfect rosette form of yours. I do have a large number of Sinns and Streps in bloom, but none as ideal as your AVs. Is this hard to do in southern Florida?
wonderful set up. beautiful plants.
mrsbonnie
it's so funny but that was the exact question I was going to ask! I started so many cuttings and seeds and just have to do something about their winter care which means 5 months or more of less than perfect conditions. Helen, your system is great! Looks expensive too. I do have 4-shelf stand but is it possible to attach lights? I saw some very nice systems for $700-800 but any ideas about affordable suppliers or DIY ways to put it together? Will really appreciate any info, thanks.
Thank you for your comments - It was so fun. Older now - having trouble here in FL with heat. Inside we have 76-78 perfect - but not enough humidity.
For show plants like that, look for perfect centers on plants starting with three leaves in the center then interlocking with another three etc. I have some AV's right now that would never make a perfect plant."GRow to show" is a good guide.OOP I think.
Those poor things were not allowed to bloom until close to show time - hence the thick and shiny leaves. 8 weeks before show, light gets increased gradually, fertilizing habits change, it's all in the timing. I grew a few then who ever was ready went off to show.
The plan stand were wood except the grow light. The grow light had holes drilled in, then, with chain and hook the lights were attached so as to lower and raise.People use shop lights with grow light bulbs in them (grow light bulbs is emportant). They'll do but not wide enough range of light because they hold only 2 bulbs.
The plants are gorgeous!
This is not a beautiful set up,but I just want to let Carpathian Girl you can start with something like this,about $100 including lights,and have room for many plants until you can afford to upgrade.Also,somewhere in these threads is a picture of a homemade stand made out of PVC pipe.
This picture was probably taken about a year and a half ago when I first returned to growing Gessies,after a hiatus of 20 some years.
Lynn, that's could be just what I need! what did you use to attach the lights? Also I see fans -- are they necessary?
Maria
Darn Sista Lynn, Ya got a good buy on that stand. My stands were a little over $100.00 each. You go, Girl!!
Connie
I would love to be able to have a set up like yours Lynn, but I will be in make do mode for some time to come. I have raised some pretty plants in "make do mode" in the past, I hope I can still do so.
That plant stand is excellent - Fan is necessary for ventilation - prevents bugs. I also used a small humidifier in winter as the central heat make the rooms dry. But then I grew in one room which was just for plants.....
Now : Do you use grow lights or regular flourescents?
Also a 4 bulb grow light gives you a bigger growing spectrum.
The stand was $50 at Target.I later purchased a second one for $45.The fixtures were $9 each.Plain warm white bulbs $.88 each.The fixtures come with the chains and hooks resembling S hooks.They are just hung from the bottom of the shelf above.I took all the cords and attached them to the side with one of those plastic tabs that hook.
I later purchased annother fixture and hung it from the ceiling for hanging baskets and extra tall plants.A little later I bought a powerstrip and a timer,under $10 for the two.Since then,I have replaced some bulbs with cool whites and some with grow lights,but 2 plain old warms will still work.
Yes, a 4 light set up is ideal if you have double wide shelves.My shelves are 48" long,18" deep and the stand is 72" tall.4 bulbs is too much light.
All of the shelves and fixtures are adjustable.I have my top shelf lower,because 6 feet is too tall for me.You can buy closed shelves,but I like the open wire shelves,because light drifts down from the shelves above.
Standard trays are 22",but it doesn't hurt a thing for them to hang 2" over in each side.I have grown (and bloomed) AVs,Streps.,Sinningias,Kohleria,Episcia,Chirita,Columnea,Nemanathus and other odds and ends using this set up.
I know many members here have beautiful stands and great lights.I know others have bookshelves and baker's racks with lights attached with bungee cords from the dollar store.
My point is,you can start anywhere,for as little or as much as you can afford.^_^
Lynn
Here is one of the old threads that will give you lots of input.There are others too.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1040829/
Thanks for the great info, now I have an idea what I'm gonna look for at local stores. I prefer wire shelves too -- less dirt, more light, easier to move. Wall shelves could be an option too (well, I forgot about drilling the basement blocks!) But ceiling mounted hooks would be helpful.
Here is another great thread with lots of ideas.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/946599/
