Can someone suggest a budget friendly light system

[Karmage]

I currently have some small grow lights and I was wondering if you guys could recommend a budget friendly lighting system for some indoor bonsai?

 

[BrianBay9]

High output t5's. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KMACSE...t=&hvlocphy=9031977&hvtargid=pla-318198564386

You can often find good lights cheap from people selling their old aquarium systems.

 

[twisted trees]

I currently have some small grow lights and I was wondering if you guys could recommend a budget friendly lighting system for some indoor bonsai?

A cheap, regular 4' florescent light from the big box store, a couple of concrete blocks. Change the bulbs every year and put the plants as close to the light as possible. It's the Jack Wikle way.

 

[JudyB]

A cheap, regular 4' florescent light from the big box store, a couple of concrete blocks. Change the bulbs every year and put the plants as close to the light as possible. It's the Jack Wikle way.

I also just use regular florescent lights. And heat mats. I think seedling heat mats are the reason my trees continue to grow like it's summer all winter. Olive and BRT anyway, the boxwood only grows 1/8" per year anyway lol...

 

[bougie]

I use T-5's H.O. fluorescent tubes in 4ft length, 6500k. My indoor bonsai's aka ficus along with cacti and succulents do great under them At work but will post a pic later tonight of the set up.

 

[Wilson]

Cheap compact fluorescent bulbs(6500K), and cheap aluminum reflectors.

 

[milehigh_7]

Here is what I have and I have grown pomegranate, elm, parrots beak, natal plum, texas ranger, texas ebony, escallonia and loads of other things. I don't think you can beat it lumens per $:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VG-48-Grow-Light-Hydroponics-8-Lamps-6500K-3000K-Bulbs-4-ft-T5-HO-Bloom-Veg/251627100147?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

The 8 bulb is right at 2' wide so it is just a tad too big for my metro shelves. If I get more it will need to be the 6 bulb.

 

[Karmage]

Here is what I have and I have grown pomegranate, elm, parrots beak, natal plum, texas ranger, texas ebony, escallonia and loads of other things. I don't think you can beat it lumens per $:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VG-48-Grow-Light-Hydroponics-8-Lamps-6500K-3000K-Bulbs-4-ft-T5-HO-Bloom-Veg/251627100147?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

The 8 bulb is right at 2' wide so it is just a tad too big for my metro shelves. If I get more it will need to be the 6 bulb.

Thanks, I think I’ll try looking around for some t5 light...I did find a 2ft double bulb LED grow light for really cheap...does anyone use LED grow lights for bonsai?

 

[GrimLore]

I have a decent LED I am experimenting with. So far I find the color a bit quirky and the power consumption high. The unit also runs very hot... I will continue to use it in one spot until it burns up but most likely will not replace it.

Myself and many here use simple florescent fixtures and bulbs. Some prefer HO T5, some use T5, many including myself use T8 with good results. I am almost out of replacement Full Spectrum bulbs and will go to standard T8 in those fixtures, another lower cost solution... Coupled with inexpensive timers is all that is really needed.

Here is a good example and I am certain with a little shopping you can get a far better price - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithoni...ip-Fluorescent-Shop-Light-1242ZG-RE/202052422

Grimmy

 

[bougie]

Here's my set up. Not the best pics but gives you an idea.

 

[Karmage]

Here's my set up. Not the best pics but gives you an idea.View attachment 180321View attachment 180322

That looks really good

 

[parhamr]

I have used T5 HO lights for four years and they’re working great. All around, they’re a great balance of purchase price, operating cost, reliability, and environmental concerns (heat, safety, etc).

Only once have I had a ballast fail, and that was on a Sun Blaze brand for which a five-year warranty is included. The warranty replacement was quick and convenient.

 

[erb.75]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005H1C74O/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this and my plants love it

 

[Ingvill]

I also just use regular florescent lights. And heat mats. I think seedling heat mats are the reason my trees continue to grow like it's summer all winter. Olive and BRT anyway, the boxwood only grows 1/8" per year anyway lol...

@JudyB ; May I ask if you keep these trees in a "special place/enclosure/etc" to keep humidity up? Or do you simply keep them on heat mats with florescent lights over them? And that's it?
If you have any pics to post of your heat mats, or maybe a link to the shop where you buy them, I'd be very interested in seeing it

 

[JudyB]

@JudyB ; May I ask if you keep these trees in a "special place/enclosure/etc" to keep humidity up? Or do you simply keep them on heat mats with florescent lights over them? And that's it?
If you have any pics to post of your heat mats, or maybe a link to the shop where you buy them, I'd be very interested in seeing it

I do not use anything special. They are on a shelf next to a window, and the shop lights above them. No humidifiers. I use seedling heat mats, just the cheapo seedling ones you can get for $20 or less. Out in my cold greenhouse I use what they call propagation mats with thermostats. The seedling ones I use inside just keep the mat a few degrees above ambient temps with an internal thermostat.
seedling heat mat
https://www.amazon.com/iPower-Seedl...sr=1-1-spons&keywords=seedling+heat+mat&psc=1
propagation
https://www.amazon.com/Phytotronics...0256457&sr=8-58&keywords=propagation+heat+mat

 

[Ingvill]

@JudyB ; thank you so much, this was very helpful!
A nice & easy set up that I'm gonna try for myself.

 

[ohiogrown]

I also got T5 lights recently and it was worth the money for sure. I got the 6 bulb for like 165$. I forget if they said it was the 6 or the 8 bulb that puts out as much as a 400 watt hps light. I noticed a huge difference in growth after I got it. I would recommend one to anyone that needs a indoor light.

 

[Potawatomi13]

Sunny Bay window.

 

[Beanwagon]

I have a 900w led grow light and grow tent to grow... medicine. I grew a load of my bonsai in there a few seasons ago with crazy growth. It jacks my electricity bill up too much to use year round like i would like to do.

Picture below of the crazy colour


T5 or t8's have been on my to do list for a few years as i plan to grow an indoor vege garden in winter

 

[JudyB]

I have a light that I use in my greenhouse that is better than the shop lights I use inside, they are more expensive though. Here's a link to them. Since they are still fluorescents they don't suck the $$ out of your pocket to use. I have the 125watt ones, they make 200's too. They stay cool as well, which is good as you don't need a vent system. I would use these inside if I were growing more than I do with my bonsai.
https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-FL...20345632&sr=8-8&keywords=hydrofarm+grow+light