Do I need supplemental light for winter?

[PastryBaker]

Since the sun has decided to change it path for the season (how dare it), I only get about 4 1/2 hours of direct sun in the day. From 11am-3:30pm.
I bring my trees in at night because the temps are dropping into the 40sF. Should I get supplemental light for when I bring them in? I would run it after I bring them in at 4pm.
Then put them back outside in the mornings and they then get their afternoon sun.
I have grown orchids under lights for a while, the high light loving species, and they do well and bloom. So if I should get supplemental lighting, I would probably use the same.

Or since it is winter, it is ok with fewer hours of light.

Thanks

 

[IzzyG]

What species are you asking about? Dormancy is triggered by both a reduction of temperature, as well as a reduction in daylight(reduced sun exposure) so you shouldn’t need supplemental light(unless you’re talking about tropicals).

 

[badatusernames]

Yeah wondering if you mean indoor or outdoor trees

If outdoor, no, you mostly want to block the light so they don’t pop too early. I built a greenhouse and regret it - I should have built a shed. Most of my time with the greenhouse is spent trying to reduce both light and temperature.

If indoor, also not really if you have a window they can be in. I do have a rudimentary light setup beneath a bookshelf that overhangs indoor plants I like to look at during winter, and I keep some on a heat mat, but mostly I think it’s psychosomatic. I think I’m accomplishing something so therefore I am.

 

[PastryBaker]

What species are you asking about? Dormancy is triggered by both a reduction of temperature, as well as a reduction in daylight(reduced sun exposure) so you shouldn’t need supplemental light(unless you’re talking about tropicals).

I have a mixture.

 

[PastryBaker]

Yeah wondering if you mean indoor or outdoor trees

If outdoor, no, you mostly want to block the light so they don’t pop too early. I built a greenhouse and regret it - I should have built a shed. Most of my time with the greenhouse is spent trying to reduce both light and temperature.

If indoor, also not really if you have a window they can be in. I do have a rudimentary light setup beneath a bookshelf that overhangs indoor plants I like to look at during winter, and I keep some on a heat mat, but mostly I think it’s psychosomatic. I think I’m accomplishing something so therefore I am.

I will try. I have mix. Will reply to thread.

 

[PastryBaker]

Thanks for the replies.
I have a mix. None of them are deciduous.
Ficus, jade, cape honeysuckle, Texas ebony, lantana and bougainvillea, which come in at night. The juniper and European olive stay out all night.
The room they are brought into is not heated. And runs about 15-20F warmer than outside. So usually 50-55F.

Thanks

 

[Michael P]

Are you sure you need to bring them in at night? All the species you list are OK down to 40F and maybe even lower. In your climate you might only need to bring them in a few nights a year, in which case you don't need lights.

 

[PastryBaker]

Are you sure you need to bring them in at night? All the species you list are OK down to 40F and maybe even lower. In your climate you might only need to bring them in a few nights a year, in which case you don't need lights.

Thanks. I just don't want to take a chance. Last winter the forecast would say 42F, but then drop much lower. It takes only a few minutes to bring them in. I bring them in as the sun is almost set.

 

[nuttiest]

Seems like every year there is a freeze here, but not a killing one, only lasts a few hours in the night and that doesn't hurt ficus or bougainvillea. One year it was a long enough cold front to put really tender ones under an outdoor table with shower curtains taped around the edge a few days. I think it is just as effective to group together to protect from cold. You can put the smaller ones which are least resilient in a group and encase with larger / older ones.
Otherwise, cardboard box upside down over them is good.