Tea,

I don't know anything about where you live, but I know I couldn't walk into a store and ask for the proper lights for African violets. I live in a small Midwestern city and my shopping opportunities are limited to Walmart and hardware stores.

I purchased a heavy duty wire storage rack from the hardware section in Walmart. The shelves are adjustable and cost me about $35. While I have not seen that exact product there since, I have seen them at the local Ace hardware also (though a little more expensive). Below is a link to Walmart's site, to a picture of something very similar.

For lights--I have not yet solved my own lighting problem. I am tiding myself over with what little I had and a single tube fixture I also purchased at Walmart. It cost me about $10 and was just found in the lightbulb area labeled aquarium/plant light. For better I will have to make an expedition to a larger place!

~Brambles

Here is a link that might be useful: Storage Rack Example

When I was looking for shelving and lights I got on the Lowe's website and found a 48" wide 4 shelf adjustable hard plastic shelving for about $78.00 and I bought it! I put it together all by myself. I then bought 4 cool bulbs and 4 plant bulbs and it has all worked out great. I would suggest searching the internet to find something that looks similar to what you want.

Tea,

I'm providing you a link to Indoor Garden Supplies which offers all kinds of stands, table top lights, and related items. Even if you aren't able to order from them, maybe it will help with some ideas.

Elaine

Here is a link that might be useful: Indoor Garden Supplies

Wow thanks so much.. now I need to put on my walking shoes and get out there and find some more shelving.. I will also check out the sites yall have provided me too.. This forum has been so helpful.. I have read every entry to try and learn all that is possible.. some very good different opinions.. but all worth trying.. so far I have over 164 varieties down with each leaf cut into 3 sections.. I keep my fingers crossed each day that one will not die on me... so far I have lost just 1 leaf and 2 sections.. thank goodness not from the same variety.

Yall are absolutely wonderful.. Thanks so much for each of your input..

Tea

Tea, check out Costco; they have a lovely wire shelving unit with five (?) adjustable shelves, perfect for one or two 4' shop lights per shelf (el cheapo lights!), all for around $73. You can even make two shorter units with it. I use cool white for all my guys (mostly minis) and they seem happy.

Korina

Thanks Korina.. not sure we have a Costco in the Philly area.. but worth looking up. Found a wired 4 ft wide, 5 shelf one at BJ's today.. all ajustable.. wonder if that is the same type. Can be made into 2 shorter ones with one having casters on it. I agree the 4 ft lights are so much cheaper than the 3 ft.. even the bulbs.

Well it time to pull out the phonebook and make some calls. I need another shelf now!! I have over 70 more leaves of different varieties coming in the next two weeks and need some space for them. Boy is it going to be a busy winter potting up all these babies!! But all worth it when they start blooming :))

Let's see.. a new shelf for my birthday and another one for Christmas.. that should do it for awhile!! LOL

Thanks again yall.. appreciate all the support and help!!

Tea