Wintering plants under CFL lights...

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podster Deep East Texas, TX(Zone 8a) Feb 06, 2008

We have changed lights over to CFLs (compact flourescents). I bring many plants in to overwinter on an enclosed porch. I leave the porch lights on for about 7 hours each day. I never did get around to installing my plant lights this fall. Somehow, I never had the time.

This winter the plants appear to be a healthier color and are not turning to the outside windows for light. I also haven't taken time to rotate the plants.

I can't help but wonder if the CFLs have a better light spectrum for plants? Does anyone else have any experience with these lights or any knowledge of their use for plants?

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Feb 06, 2008

I would think the effect wouldn't be huge unless the plants were really close to the light...just like if you're starting seedlings, they'll get leggy if the light is more than a few inches above them. And since the lights that most people use for seed starting are regular fluorescents, I wouldn't think the CFL's would work from that much farther away. Are you sure you don't have the plants closer to the window than you did in previous years? Or have you had a sunnier winter? Or maybe the plants aren't growing much (can't stretch toward the light if they've taken a break from actively growing)

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