Advice Needed for Lighting

Hi all. I finished my new AV shelf a couple of weeks ago and need some guidance on the lighting. I have put a one bulb flourescent light under the top and middle shelves. I am now finding out that the light is amere inches away from the plants. it's ok for the leaves and plantlets that are small but I was concerned about my larger plants. None are touching the bulbs and the bulbs are not hot to the touch (I laid my hand on it after it had been on all day). Will the lights being so close to the plants hurt them?

Thanks!!

Hey the stand looks wonderful. And look at all the window light you are getting. The baby plants look wonderful. I love the set up.

Can't really say about the lights unless you know the lumines that are produced. Watch everything very closely. If leaves drop down or the centers start looking small it's too much light. You might notice a lightening in the color of the leaves as well. The recommended distance is 9 to 12 inched seperating the light from the tops of the plants; but, it also depends on the strength of the light output.

Every set up is different and you may have to just wait and see. You could leave the full grown plant on top just as you have them now and save the middle shelf for setting leaves and baby plants.

Oh I really Love that stand : ) Everyone looks really happy.Nice Plants!! : ) Nancy

Love you stand , bight colorful room !
th lights are not hot and you hve miniatures even semi/minatures leaf pots, babies and they are closenot burning or shw tight centers, or ill light affects theyare find.
They will grow good too ! When I had my light stands my miniatures even semi/minatures leaf pots, babies wee always close almost touching an I never had a problem. I ran my large plants fairly clos too.
Plants with girl foliage, light color foliage and blooms do well at the end
of the tubes where plants get less light. Watch your plants get to know them they will let you know if they are happy !

That is a beautiful plant stand! Love it! I need some shelves like you have too.

Don Ü

Thank you everyone for the great advice and shelf compliments. Here's another shot with both lights installed. So far, everyone looks happy - no wilty leaves, etc. I now need to set up a light area for all of my cacti. I ahd to bring them in today because we had a hard frost last night. Thank goodness they were on my screened porch!

Thanks again everyone - I'll keep you posted!!

Wonderful looks super great pretty room too !

Thank you Allison!!

Lovely! Should brighten up any winter's day and be so enjoyable. Now, where will you put all your new plantlets from the leaves put down to root? LOL! See what happens? ;0)

I absolutely love it. Very cheery~!

I guess I'll have to build another shelf - wait a minute, a new house!!! LOL

Been there! Done that! There is a great section in "Growing for Show" about that.