Lighting

I just got another light for the plant stand. The second one. : ) Critterologist, it looks like yours in the Basement Babies thread. Do you just put the light as high as it will go above the shelf? Or do you adjust how the light hangs according to what is on the shelf? Since I have only had one light, I have never had an option of separating my minis from standards. No one on the web sites seems to agree on the number of inches above the plant (I mean by an inch or two). Plus do they mean from the top of the plant or from the bottom? Jump on in, whoever knows the answers....................you guys are such a help. : ) Here is a new picture of one of my minis.

I've got my lights about 5 or 6 inches above the tops of my plants, with minis on more closely spaced shelves, so at present, yes, the lights are as high as they'll go above each shelf. But Allison has mentioned that she puts lights sometimes just an inch or two away from the foliage (esp with leaf pots), and I've used similarly close spacing with seedlings. I always measure distance between the top of the foliage & the light bulb so that I don't have to account for differences in plant size or pot height.

Lovely vareigation on that mini! Those nearly white outer leaves are fabulous!

My plants are blooming more and showing better variegation also under the lights... although the better variegation may be due to cooler temperatures where they are now rather than to increased light.

Thanks. I am going to move my leaf pots up - maybe that will spur them on. It's amazing how much you can get on one of these shelving units.... : )

I get those lights as close as I can without making it impossible to see/mess with the violets. As a comparison to full outdoor sun, I sprouted some runner-beans, who acted like it was barely light enough at all, growing right between the light bulbs.

Ed. to ask:
Had, what is the name of that creature?
Kenton


This message was edited Jan 16, 2006 7:13 PM

Yes mine are like Kentons as close as I can without damage. And I have never had a light problem. I was talking with my husband how much better the plants and babies growing this winter! Last ear leaves seemed never to root this year everyone's growing and blooming. Wether they are on windowsills or on the plant stands . My leaves and babies are as close to the lights as possible and they love it.
Your plant is beautiful HP.

I'm pretty sure there are some links in our sticky on light too !

I usually forget the stickys. : ( The mini is Rob's Squeeze Toy. I have had it about two months. It has grown quite a bit. Flowers just starting to form under the leaves.

Allison, I am moving my leaf pots right up under my new light. : ) My husband has been a pretty good sport. Went out and bought it for me today.

Have a good week!