Plant lighting for beginners

[JoeR]

They work for a variety of reasons -
The room is temperature controlled.
The entire room has air circulation, a 52 inch ceiling fan running in reverse 24 hours a day and the air filter.
The room is humidity controlled with a programmable humidifier and each space/shelf has a constant but different level of humidity.
I maintain the lights and timers replacing bulbs and such as they reach their end of useful life.

By setting it up this way I can monitor and keep plants where they do best. For example the plants on the lowest level are cuttings and get the most humidity. The cacti on the North wall are placed much higher and get far less. The same placement applies for all in there. Doing this has resulted this year in 6 micro climates to work with, last year I had 5.

The lights provide enough light at 16 hours a day to keep them otherwise healthy. Using heavier HO T5 type lights does produce more growth BUT it is leggy and requires a lot of trimming. My goal is health not growing although they do anyways but it is not leggy growth with long internodes. When we have Bonsai again next year I will document each plant and share if requested.

It is a balancing act but once all setup and monitored for a week or so at different heights and positions does not need to be further adjusted.

I was going to add another 48 foot of similar shelving around the parameter of the room but it is not necessary this year. When I do the room won't need adjustments just monitoring of each level to determine best plants and placement, again for about a week. I figure over the next couple of years I can develop a stable up to perhaps 8 microclimate grow room.

Grimmy

Wow, you have put a lot more thought into your setup than I have, with all the micro climates and such. 16 hours is longer than I leave mine on for, so maybe thats why I didnt have such great results with them.

 

[GrimLore]

Wow

And I did not mention the paint in that room including the ceiling is mold and mildew resistant and washable My friends all say I have way to much time on my hands...

Grimmy

 

[JoeR]

My friends all say I have way to much time on my hands...

Grimmy

Same here...

They're just jealous!

 

[parhamr]

I'd like to add a recommendation for LED flood lights for illumination of workspaces. I bought one each of these and I'm pleased by their performance:

• ZHMA 100W LED Flood Lights (warm white) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DDKLGJ2/
• Warmoon Outdoor LED Flood Light, 50W Warm White 3200K https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GYF73I6/

They're easy to install, great for an outdoor potting bench, and the spectrum is pleasing to work under in the evenings.

 

[parhamr]

I can also speak well of T5 HO bulbs for rooting cuttings. Here's a shot of 10 shimpaku and one procumbens cuttings.


This is a 4-light, 24" unit. I have two each of the warmer and cooler spectrum, plant-specific bulbs. The bulbs are 24 watts each. I have a timer run the lights from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm.

I see excellent longevity from the T5 HO systems. I've been using them for 5 growing seasons and no units have failed. Bulb death has seemed to proceed at a reasonable rate.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Bulb death has seemed to proceed at a reasonable rate.

I haven't added to this thread in a while, but let me add a couple of comments. First, I am glad you mention T5HO, because a lot of people simply say "T5" bulbs. T5 is a generic industry term that refers to the diameter of the fluorescent bulb. It is really important to use "HO" bulbs (HO which stands for "high output") as well as bulbs with a specific spectral intensity suited for growing plants.

Also - as I mentioned earlier - distance to fixture and light coverage is really important. I don't know how many times I have heard of people buying really bright light fixtures, and then locating the fixtures 4' from their trees and wondering why their trees aren't doing well. Light diminishes based on the square of the distance. A tree 1' from a light fixture will get 4x as much light as a tree 2' from the same fixture. This also includes trees that are moved forward or backwards from being directly beneath the fixture.

 

[parhamr]

"Just far enough away that the bulbs don't burn the leaves" is the distance guidance I work with

 

[milehigh_7]

If you have an Android phone, a handy app is the "Physics Toolbox" I have not tested it with a real instrument mind you but you can get a reading in lux or foot-candles. Many other things depending on the sensors that your phone has.

 

[Bonsai Nut]

Light diminishes based on the square of the distance.

For what it's worth, we are located approx 93 million miles from the sun. The difference in light intensity between 93 million miles and 93 million miles + 4' is negligible because we are located so far from the light source, and the change in distance is so small as a fraction of the total distance.

But it gives you an idea of the amount of radiation you receive as you start to move closer to the sun. Mercury is about 1/3 the distance, so it gets about 9x the light intensity. Don't forget your sunscreen! (For sake of fun, I am ignoring the impact of our atmosphere, without which we would burn up, regardless)

 

[GrimLore]

@Zoomie Quick bump and an update of the "plant" room. Spring will bring another 40 foot of shelf and lights to the left side -









Grimmy

 

[LanceMac10]

THOMAS!!!!!!!

 

[Zoomie]

Awesome Grimmy! Thanks for showing me the room!

I may have to take a drive up your way this spring.

 

[GrimLore]

THOMAS!!!!!!!

Long time, he is getting large, 30 plus pounds and showing signs of a lot more growth - he loves the plant room

Grimmy

 

[GrimLore]

I may have to take a drive up your way this spring.

Doors always open, bring plants to work on too! Some bring as many as 30 - no BS. We make a weekend of it, good food, beer, or whatever Casual too! The "almost" done guest room sleeps 2 - 4 atm. If bringing young ones, tell them to pack a game system and we have LED displays.

Grimmy

 

[Zoomie]

Doors always open, bring plants to work on too! Some bring as many as 30 - no BS. We make a weekend of it, good food, beer, or whatever Casual too!

Grimmy

Sounds like a great weekend in the making!

 

[ABCarve]

Long time, he is getting large, 30 plus pounds and showing signs of a lot more growth - he loves the plant room

Grimmy

Fall hatch. They're just as ugly when they're babies.

 

[GrimLore]

Fall hatch. They're just as ugly when they're babies.

I would not keep ours if it was not a Desert Tortoise - Far cleaner, no water required in the pen. Snappers are filthy little Mud lovers Thomas was far smaller 12 years ago, shell no wider or longer then a Silver Dollar. He will also grow to well over 100 pounds up to 150 easy.
Here the Snappers are out and about too - must be a statewide thing

Grimmy

 

[Zoomie]

I just spoke with that turtle’s mom. She said that you’re ugly.

 

[GrimLore]

@Zoomie - Don't you have lights to setup and post here in the light thread ?

Grimmy

 

[Zoomie]

@Zoomie - Don't you have lights to setup and post here in the light thread ?

Grimmy

Yes. Yes I do.

Exhibits A and B.