I'm wondering if my av's aren't blooming because of the lighting?
I have them on a plant stand, with the Sylvania grow lux bulbs (broad spectrum). The lights are on for about 10 hours a day. The bulbs are about 6-8 inches from the tops of the plants. The bulbs are about 10 months old (should they be replaced?) and is there another type of bulb that would work better?
The foilage looks lovely on the plants, just sure would be nice to see more flowers.
I don't think it's due to fertilizer - though I will say I've started using a bloom booster.
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interesting that my 4 out of 5 av's at my office in a west window bloom non-stop.
sure wish they would do this at home under my lights.
flowering and light bulbs
funny mine are the same way. the ones on the window sill are really going to town & the ones on the shelfs with lights on 15 hrs. a day only have a few blooms. i use cool white & warm white bulbs. maybe someone else can help us.
mrsbonnie
Maureen............i leave my lights on at least 11 hours a day and sometimes 12 hours a day..........they will bloom if you will leave your lights on longer...........i wouldn't replace mine...........I just realize that the older the bulbs get the longer I leave them on...............
Maureen.........i feel like you got shorted on your gessie swap present.............i was frantically packing a lot that day...............when you get a camera......let me see what you got.......i have plenty of mini avs I can send.............
HI Mrs. Bonnie, thank you for input. I'm getting frustrated, I give these av's so much tlc and I want flowers in return!!! ;-)
Gail - I'm definitely going to leave the lights on longer starting today. Gail, I am very very pleased with my box. I got lots of healthy pretty plants and leaves, please don't feel you have to send anything more. I wouldn't have room for anymore and I'm really very happy with what you sent me. I'll take a pic in a little bit.
It's quite possibly a combination of various factors. For one, the sun is moving south (lower in the sky) and so at this time of year, light levels in windows change noticeably, especially in the north. Old fluor tubes give less light.
Then some other possible factors. Lower temperatures in the windows could be altering how those plants use the fert and water. The air is generally drier, but the relative humidity at night in the cooler windowsills will be higher and that would be another factor in their favor. It's also possible to put in fluor tubes that have more of the blooming spectrum, but those shouldn't be left in too long because the leaves need their light spectrum too. You can read more about the different light spectrums at most hydroponic store websites. Also there's the general comment that most plants do prefer a temp drop at night. Just a few thoughts.
just wanted to update you all. it's been around 1 week with the longer time under the lights and I can see a difference in the plants already. They look healthier and I see more growth. Now for the blooms....
I bet it won't be long before you have Beautiful Bloomin AV's .... especially if you are using a bloom booster!
Can't wait to see your pic's!
HI Plantladylin - I'll be sure to post a pic when I get blooms. I'm trying so hard to not inspect them every day looking for a sign of a bloom. (you know the watched pot never boils -- or whatever that saying is lol).
LOL. I know that saying well ... "A watch pot never boils" ... my Mom used to say it all the time! It's so hard not to watch those babies though, when you are waiting for those blooms to show their faces!