Plant light stand

My neighbor who is retired and restless, but very handy has agreed to make me a plant light stand. I sent this picture to see if he thought he would be able to make it, and at a much cheaper price:-). Anywho, he can and is going to build one for me!!! Another plus is that his wife is really happy, because he'll be out of her hair for a day or two:).

http://www.growstuffplus.com/IBS/SimpleCat/Product/asp/hierarchy/0401/product-id/323717.html

Blessings,
Awanda

Awanda, that is a great setup. Bet you can't wait to have it in hand and start loading it up with all those beauties you have. Good deal! I know you will enjoy having it.

Barb

I have a plant stand very close to this one, but only two shelves. Seems to be a little deeper and wider than the one in the picture. works out very well because I can keep water in the trays, and put the plants up on canning jar rings. Then every 4 or 5 days just add some more water. I have been wanting to get it out from storage to start daylily seeds. That is why I asked if cuttings would do better under lights.

What a wondeful neighbor you have! Light stands are great in the winter. Also, you get all kinds of neat pink markings on the leaves and they are perfect for winter rooting. The shop light fixtures are the most economical and you can use one cool bulb and one warm bulb, which are cheeper than the plant light bulbs. It will save you a bunch of money if he can build it for the 4' fixtures.
I wrap the bottom shelf of mine in bubble wrap with a heat mat on the bottom shelf and it makes a nice, warm, and humid spot for rooting.
Can't wait to see your new light garden you lucky girl !!!

Mel could you please elaborate on the bubble wrap, I'm trying to get a visual of this. Are you talking about wrapping all around the sides, like to enclose it? And then heat mat lays on the bottom shelf? Sounds like it would be nice and toasty.

hope you'll upload photos when the neighbor is finished.

Tami, I guess I was not very clear. I will post a picutre once I get is set up for the winter. My light cart has 3 4 X 2 shleves and is 6' foot tall. (It is a monster!) On the bottom shelf, the bubble wrap is wrapped around 3 sides and the front is open. I have a 5' heat mat that sits on the the bottom shelf and a shop light hangs over it. Plus, I bought an underbed plastic storage unit that sits on top of the heat mat so that shelf stays warm, toasty and humid. I root hoyas on the top 2 shelves and use this area for rooting Brugmansia, hibiscus and an assortmet of other tropical treasures. It has worked really well!

Mel - I, too, would like to see your set-up, so please do post pictures when you get it set up - thanks! Karen

Gee Awanda...looks like you could drive that puppy around!!! :>)

Cool Idea!

Carol

Gee, Awanda - what a great neighbor you have. And how NICE of you to keep him out of his wife's hair! hee hee
I have a similar light stand that I "engineered" myself using those a 5-shelf wire shelving unit from Menards and shop-lites. WAY cheaper than what you see in the picture. YOU WILL LOVE IT!
Hope you post pictures when it's done..
Betsy

Mel, I understand a little better now, but please do post photo. I'm going to go drag mine out from under the house. Maybe I can get these darn hoya babies to root. Oh I wonder if this would be good for my seed pod experiment?

O.K. I have dug the stand our of storage. Something I could never figure out with these stands.
1. How close is the light suppose to be to your plants?
2. How long do you leave the lights on?
3. Will this be to much light for my little hoya's trying to root?
4. Many more questions to follow


Mel, how did you get the bubble wrap to adhere to the cart? Can I use just regular ole plastic. I've been thinking about how to get the plastic to stick to the cart... I came up with maybe velcro glued to the sides and on the plastic. Is there an easier way. Thank you all in advance for your suggestions/comments

Tami...on getting the plastic or bubble wrap to stay put, just poke a couple little holes where you need and tie it on with some good heavy string. I did that outside where I needed to protect some things from rain using plastic sheets.
Marcy

Tami, being from East Tennessee, I only have 2 words for you! DUCT TAPE! (Actually I used packing tape because it was clear) Also, I did wrap the bubble wrap around the bottom legs of the cart before I taped them. Marcy's idea would also work and may look neater.

On the lights, I hang mine 12-18" from the plants. I have hung them closer and never had a Hoya burn from them. The lights are on a timer that stays on 18hours. Lastly, I have had great luck rooting under lights and a heat mat! The additional light pushes them to grow!

Thanks Marcy & Mel,

I'm going to go hunt for plastic this weekend. I have looked for a heat mat around here, looks like I will have to go on line to find one. The humidity on the rooting hoya's is already 82, I think I may have to poke some more holes in the plastic i have over them. Is there such a thing as too much humidity? There is air movement from the ceiling fan, so I think I am safe there. Looks like I may have to get a timer as well, sounds like that may be cutting into my sleep.

LOL Mel on the duct tape, Kinda sounds like the making of a red neck joke!! ;)