Opinion on this lighted plant stand?

[ShadyStump]

I like it. Looks much better than my winter setup this year, which looks much better than last year.

 

[CapeCodBonsai]

I'm finding it difficult to get a good picture, but here is the final result

I was going to make a suggestion but, I see that you’ve already lined your wire shelving. I have found in my (too often) rushed watering routine that those winter boot trays work as excellent overflow catch basins. The raised sides offer you a little more security. Although I wouldn’t make a practice of it, I have even “over watered” purposefully when I knew I would be away for a day or two so that the excess water could be wicked up during my absence. If you look long and hard enough on Amazon, you can find a decently sized match to fit your shelves.

 

[luvinthemountains]

I was going to make a suggestion but, I see that you’ve already lined your wire shelving. I have found in my (too often) rushed watering routine that those winter boot trays work as excellent overflow catch basins. The raised sides offer you a little more security. Although I wouldn’t make a practice of it, I have even “over watered” purposefully when I knew I would be away for a day or two so that the excess water could be wicked up during my absence. If you look long and hard enough on Amazon, you can find a decently sized match to fit your shelves.

To offer another idea, Greenhouse Megastore has their "Mega Heavy Duty" propagation trays [LINK]. I bought a bunch last year to take advantage of a discount. The linked version is black, but I got white which cost twice as much for some reason and are out of stock.

What I like about these trays is that they have ribbed bases that hold a lot of water. Caveat, I have not used the black and the "ribs" might not be as deep. Also, they are so rigid that I can move trees around in them without worrying about the tray giving way.

 

[Paradox]

I use this tray from Greenhouse Megastore for my tropicals.

It's a bit cheaper than the one posted by Luv I've had them for a few years and they have held up well.

Garland Standard Garden Tray Black

The Garland Standard Garden Tray in Blackis a robust and versatile gardening accessory designed to cater to various planting needs. Its sturdy construction from recycled polypropylene ensures durability, while its spacious design makes it an ideal choice for cultivating wheatgrass, fodder...

www.greenhousemegastore.com

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I like it. Looks much better than my winter setup this year, which looks much better than last year.

I did make one modification, I put a Spider Farm on the ceiling for the trees on the top shelf. Wasn't super expensive, but I'm in for $307 on this setup (shelving unit plus the extra light). It takes away my worry for enough light, in the winter and hopefully I get some decent growth, instead of "just alive" like last winter.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I was going to make a suggestion but, I see that you’ve already lined your wire shelving. I have found in my (too often) rushed watering routine that those winter boot trays work as excellent overflow catch basins. The raised sides offer you a little more security. Although I wouldn’t make a practice of it, I have even “over watered” purposefully when I knew I would be away for a day or two so that the excess water could be wicked up during my absence. If you look long and hard enough on Amazon, you can find a decently sized match to fit your shelves.

Good idea I've soaked two towels already. I don't want them to sit in water either, but I do need a good solution. Currently I use these, they can fit both width & lengthwise on the shelf. Thanks.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

To offer another idea, Greenhouse Megastore has their "Mega Heavy Duty" propagation trays [LINK]. I bought a bunch last year to take advantage of a discount. The linked version is black, but I got white which cost twice as much for some reason and are out of stock.

What I like about these trays is that they have ribbed bases that hold a lot of water. Caveat, I have not used the black and the "ribs" might not be as deep. Also, they are so rigid that I can move trees around in them without worrying about the tray giving way.

That's a nice option. Need to find the right size, also "Mega Heavy Duty" was my nickname at fat camp in the 80's.

I use this tray from Greenhouse Megastore for my tropicals.

It's a bit cheaper than the one posted by Luv I've had them for a few years and they have held up well.

Garland Standard Garden Tray Black

The Garland Standard Garden Tray in Blackis a robust and versatile gardening accessory designed to cater to various planting needs. Its sturdy construction from recycled polypropylene ensures durability, while its spacious design makes it an ideal choice for cultivating wheatgrass, fodder...

www.greenhousemegastore.com

This size may work, need to grab my tape measure. Thanks!

 

[Carol 83]

I use the Bootstrap farmer trays. They are really sturdy, so I use them to carry my trees in and out. They are also ridged on the bottom but I still elevate the trees to make sure they don't sit in water.

 

[ShadyStump]

My plan is to just get some full sheet pans, like the big ones they use in institutional kitchens, and use those under my pots. Not sure they're the perfect fit for the shelves, but the disposable foil ones are cheap as dirt and will help reflect light to different parts of the foliage.

Just a thought.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

My plan is to just get some full sheet pans, like the big ones they use in institutional kitchens, and use those under my pots. Not sure they're the perfect fit for the shelves, but the disposable foil ones are cheap as dirt and will help reflect light to different parts of the foliage.

Just a thought.

Good idea. I have a bunch of the disposable ones for my smoker. I like the way you think! I also have some huge sheet pans, (bakery ones not the prison size), but I like those too much to use them.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I use the Bootstrap farmer trays. They are really sturdy, so I use them to carry my trees in and out. They are also ridged on the bottom but I still elevate the trees to make sure they don't sit in water.

I like the look of those too. I've been trying to get some cuttings to grow from my trops, but I've yet to get the Barbados cherry to live (which I read was easy) not for me so far. I may have to get some hormone stuff, but I need to read up on it some more. I recently tried to transplant a BRT cutting but it's not looking so good five days in. Only one I had (I think) success with is my chinese elm. I stuck it in the soil of my Dawn Redwood earlier this summer, and it's still alive, but not much growth & I haven't checked the roots yet.

 

[Carol 83]

I like the look of those too. I've been trying to get some cuttings to grow from my trops, but I've yet to get the Barbados cherry to live (which I read was easy) not for me so far. I may have to get some hormone stuff, but I need to read up on it some more. I recently tried to transplant a BRT cutting but it's not looking so good five days in. Only one I had (I think) success with is my chinese elm. I stuck it in the soil of my Dawn Redwood earlier this summer, and it's still alive, but not much growth & I haven't checked the roots yet.

I use the Clonex gel. I have had success with the Barbados Cherry's, the cuttings grow super fast.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I use the Clonex gel. I have had success with the Barbados Cherry's, the cuttings grow super fast.

How long would this last for a beginner? What would you recommend?

 

[Carol 83]

How long would this last for a beginner? What would you recommend?

You only need a tiny bit of the Clonex, which works really well. You need to put the gel in a different container, you can't dip the plant into the actual container. I've made tons of cuttings in the past two years and still have a lot left. Keep it in the refrigerator.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

Quick follow up, the lights on this plant stand are great grow lights, in case anyone was looking to purchase. In just one month I'm getting great growth, fruits, and flowering.

 

[ShadyStump]

Quick follow up, the lights on this plant stand are great grow lights, in case anyone was looking to purchase. In just one month I'm getting great growth, fruits, and flowering.

Nice!
As far as wintering over goes, I've done well with the basic midgrade stuff from the hardware store. If I was really pushing winter growth I might want better, but I can't afford it anyway.

 

[jradics]

That's another thing that's confusing to me in the winter. Most, if not all of my windows are near heating vents, so I try to stay as far away from those that I can with the forced hot/dry air blowing on the plants. So how far away from a window is "near a window" with the furnace on? Maybe my house is weird for more than the I live here reason.

I close the one vent that is under my window where i overwinter my tropicals. the heat and low humidity is terrible for the plants.

 

[Michigan Tree Murderer]

I saw the price went down on this lighted plant stand, (same one in the subject), and I bought another one since I have more tropicals than last year. Got it for $139 this time with a $60 dollar off coupon. it was $229 last October. Highly recommend this one if anyone is looking for winter growth for tropicals for cold climates.

 

[pandacular]

It looks like all the lighting that was discussed in this thread has dropped in price substantially. Perhaps due to the last few years supply chain problem? Or maybe increased production due to increased indoor growing.

 

[ShadyStump]

My bet is on on the former. It took a good year for everything to recover after 2020 turned the world upside down for a year and a half.