Suggestions for my current lighting setup?

15 years ago

Here is the shelving and lights I set up last week.

The top shelf, which has Standards, is currently about 11 - 11.5 inches from the top of the largest plant (on the top left), and a few inches more from all the rest which are much smaller.

The shelf below is miniatures, and the light is about 9 inches from the tops of the little ones.

There is a large weed growing on the floor in front, but that one is mobile and hard to remove!

(I set up the shelves generally looking for about 12 inches and 8 inches respectively, and the above measurements I just got from measuring actual plants and distances.)

I have the timer on 8am-7pm (I plan to move it to 8pm next week).

The bulbs are 2 T8's per shelf, one warm, one cool.

Any suggestions or problems anyone sees in the setup?

Thanks!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:368369}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

irina_co
15 years ago
Really good! Need more plants though. Cute weed you have - I am envious and in need of a granddaughter - and my son is into computer games...

Irina
sonority
Original Author
15 years ago
Don't worry, I'm into computer games, and she's still mine. :D

I have a shipment enroute from the Violet Barn, which will go upstairs to a very non-optimum setup (one T5 bulb) for a few weeks quarentine. Then they will help to fill out the shelves a little!

I do have a question, currently half of the plants on the second row are standards, they were so small I put them on the shelf with the miniatures. Should they start out with the light that's 12" above them even while so small, or should they mingle with my mini's for a while?

Thanks!
Related Professionals
Spring Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fall River Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Harrisburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Savannah Landscape Contractors · Torrington Landscape Contractors · Dubuque Landscape Contractors · Mankato Landscape Contractors · Rutland Landscape Contractors · Show Low Landscape Contractors · Mission Viejo Landscape Contractors · Salt Lake City Landscape Contractors · Effingham Architects & Building Designers · Lake Charles Architects & Building Designers · Torrington Architects & Building Designers · Leamington Architects & Building Designers
irina_co
15 years ago
I would keep them as is. I think they will be so happy that they will explode in size.

1 T5 is not bad.

"World of Warcraft" is what keeping my son from getting out and meeting girls. He has too much fun as is. GRRRRRR!

irina
GrowHappy
15 years ago
Hi Sonority,

While I don't have any further suggestions on lighting, I would highly suggest that you quarantine for longer than a few weeks. You should quarantine for at least 3 months, considering the life cycle of thrips and some other pests that plague african violets. I would suggest opening the box outside and disbudding any plants that are in bloom before you bring them in the house. An airtight container or individual ziploc bags would be great for putting them in during the quarantine period.

The VB always sends great plants. I ordered from them in January and just took my plants out of quarantine last month. They are all doing very well. Have fun with your new violets!!!!

Shanika
sonority
Original Author
15 years ago
Haha, what server? j/k Take comfort that I know literally 10 couples who have met and married through WoW; all my friends I didn't meet in college, I met through that game. Hopefully you'll get your grandchildren sooner rather than later!
irina_co
15 years ago
Regarding Violet Barn - according to the rumors - they had bugs a time or two in all these years - but they run the most meticulous accurate clean well organized greenhouse shop you can imagine. So with all due precautions just like Shanika suggests- you have much more chances bringing thrips from outside in your hair after walking through the bushes...

This year I have aphids on my Nematanthus I grow on the window which open it every evening - and wind someway brought small pinkish aphids through the screen.

Regarding WoW and the couples - Nick went out several times with this crowd - and my impression is that they are much younger, he is already 34. I am nagging that he needs to grow up and face the real life... and he tells me that I need to cut on my violets...

I.
sonority
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks all for the advice.

OT for Irina,

I'm early 30s, and all my friends from the game run between the ages of 25 and 65. Most are late 30s to early 50s. Of the 100 people in my guild, I would guess that less than 10% are under the age of 30. Many are actually older couples with grown children of their own. I've played with the unemployed, and the wealthy businessmen. So I guess it all depends on who you hang out with!

One day, he'll surprise you with the right woman. :)