Enough light for Dieffenbachia?

I have a hard time measuring light if it isn't full sun.

This is the shadow the light cast with my hand 1ft away.

What is the exposure of that window?
Don't know what time of day you took the pic, but it does seem fairly well lit.
Remember to occasionally turn the plant for even growth.

This message was edited Aug 23, 2013 4:27 PM

It's a west exposure. Another option maybe to move the shelf closer and close the blinds around 3 when the direct sun comes in, but it looks like less light comes in that way. Winter may pose a problem when the light is less strong. I could put it in direct sun during the winter, but it only gets direct sun for a few hours. I can't change the room the plant is in due to toxicity reasons. How do I measure light intensity?

This message was edited Aug 23, 2013 5:12 PM

This message was edited Aug 23, 2013 5:40 PM

How long have you had it in that spot? It looks very healthy and Dieffenbachia doesn't need direct sun. Diffused sunlight or partial shade is fine. It can even tolerate shade and low light conditions.

I agree with tim1 about turning it regularly. Other than that I would just keep an eye on it and if it stays looking healthy than I wouldn't worry about it.

Though some might suggest "measuring" the light intensity, you really don't need to get that technical about it. Pay more attention to how the plant looks...and relax. Houseplants should be enjoyable.

I ditto nutsaboutnature! I think the light is fine! In my opinion humidity would be more concern…And I think you have that taken care of, with the pebble tray and misting… Relax!!! I think you are on the right path… :-))

nutsaboutnature, thanks for the advice. It also looks like you live very close as well.

And it's been in that spot for about 2 weeks

CactusBoss ~ You're Welcome! I noticed just after my post last night that where you live, but it was getting late so I figured I'd mention it today. That's cool! There are some other members in and around the NW suburbs, a few I've noticed even out this way.

By-the-way, Welcome to DG!!



This message was edited Aug 24, 2013 9:12 AM

I may actually have a bathroom opening for this plant. However, I heard this plant is very sensitive to electromagnetic radiation and stray voltage, and I have a Tv about 7ft away. Does anybody grow their Dieffenbachia near electrical outlets, Tvs, and things like that? Apparently Dieffenbachia affected by EMR grow small shiny leaves with no variegation on them. This guy on Youtube subjects his plants to EMR to see what happens. He also lives by a cell phone tower and has a huge stray voltage problem.

Sometimes knowing too much can be worse than not knowing enough. Believe me, I understand the desire to, because I'm also like that. I research everything and tend to go overboard sometimes. Lately, I've been trying to come to a happy medium...namely, some research is always good, but not everything has to be an exact science.

In terms of houseplants...I used to have a huge Dieffenbachia about 4-1/2 feet tall that sat on the floor in a room with a TV and electrical outlets everywhere. I kept it by a window that faced a porch with an overhang so it didn't get the brightest light. It thrived, had beautiful variegations, and grew like crazy. Back then, the only thing I knew about it was to give it enough light that it looked healthy and water when it got dry.

Keep your Dieffenbachia where it gives you the most pleasure. If after a while it seems to be suffering, you can move it or change what your doing. Stop worrying about all the studies the "experts" have done. It's not rocket science, it's gardening... and people have been gardening forever without knowing all of that.

nutsaboutnature said it best!!! I ditto all of it!!!! Relax, and enjoy it!

To answer your question about measuring light intensity, and I know I've said this on other forums but it bears repeating, you can form a rough estimate by reading a book. If there's not enough light to read, there's not enough light for even a low light plant to live. If you can read, but not really comfortably, that would be low light. If you have general working light like in an ordinary office, that's medium light. If you have a spot near (oh, say 5' or less) an unobstructed window, call that high light.

Then there's length of time under light conditions. For instance, if the light is nice and bright so you can work easily for 3 or 4 hours a day, but then the rest of the day you can barely read, you're still dealing with low light.

The reason the estimation of light conditions is important is that it refers to the lowest level of light to which a given plant specie can adapt. For instance, the dieffenbachia is considered a low to medium light plant. That means it can adapt to low light conditions, but it will be happy in much higher light also. On the other hand, a high light plant such as a yucca is going to languish in a low light spot.

All that being said, these things are just broad outlines. As everyone else has said, the most important thing you can do is relax and enjoy. The common tropical foliage plants are all extremely adaptable to a wide range of environments. Don't worry about the electro-magnetic vibrations, the type of water (I've read that distilled water is not good for plants) (but you don't want to use softened water ever), even humidity. Just pay attention to the plants, and they will tell you what they need.

Finally, fear thee not the garbage can! No one who has a bunch of plants has done it without losing a bunch also. Plants are not puppies. A lost plant should represent a lesson learned toward success with another plant, which you should acquire as soon as ever you can.

Bona Fortuna
Marlie

Haha well said! :) any further advice is much appreciated