I use HO T5's and metal halide. They are very strong and have good reflectors, so you can place them a bit further from the plants. Many people get away with standard T8's, but usually have to place plants quite close to the bulbs in order to achieve a good intensity. Whatever you choose, I'd look for a fixture with good reflectors that wrap around the bulbs as much as possible. This directs light downward where it's needed, rather than sideways where it's wasted. Many fixtures are designed to illuminate an entire room, but you want to keep your light concentrated directly under the fixture. As for bulbs, it is a common myth that a mix of warm white and cool white is needed. It won't really hurt anything, but isn't necessary either. I use 6500K bulbs because they have a natural daylight spectrum which is both pleasing to look at, and promotes more compact growth. Cool white (4100K) is the next closest bulb that is widely available, while warm white (3000-3500K) will have a decidedly yellowish tint to it.

I would recommend high output T5 bulbs and fixtures if you want something that is very slim and unobtrusive. I use these for my Hoyas and orchids and they work great. You can even link the fixtures together. Sunblaster makes fixture and bulb combos and they are very bright but so slim that you can put one almost anywhere.
I also use compact fluorescent bulbs either in groups or alone. If you are planning on using several bulbs you can mix warm and cool white together but if you are just using a single bulb look for one that says daylight. 13W and higher are most useful and I would only use 13W if you are grouping them together. As single bulb at 25W and up would be most useful and make sure to keep it close to the plants for maximum light. I have several 55W bulbs but they are very bright so best put on a timer so they are on while I am at work.

Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: Sunblaster

Thanks to both of you for the info....I was planning on using two bulbs hanging in a fixture above the plants...Mike, thanks for the link--of course they don't have a store in my area, but I e-mailed the company to see if they'd sell direct...

Shelley

Mike!... I checked out the sunblaster link... thanks.. but it is so much info of which I know nadda!.. I wonder if anyone who has a simple but successful lighting set up (oh, yes.. and inexpensive) would be able to post pictures... I would love to see how other hoya/plant lovers grow indoors.. Since I'll be moving into my apt in about 2 1/2 weeks (yikes), and since the days are getting very short up north here.. it would be something I'd like to consider.. one of those nice 4 or 5 shelf utility carts they have at HD.. and some inexpensive lighting would be great.. would love to see how others do it. Checked out one older thread where she was using inexpensive "foil-type" emergency blankets from the dollar store to wrap around 3 sides of a shelving unit with lights hanging underneath the shelf!.. looked useful.. would appreciate some advice here.. Simple is the name of the game.. but effective... thank you so much... Eileen

Eileen the Sun Blasters are as easy as it gets because they are a bulb and fixture all in one package. I get mine from the hydroponics store and really all there is to do is attach the fixture where you want it and plug it in.
I grow many of my plants on the racks you mentioned and one thing I can tell you is that the old shop light fixtures I started with only waste space and they give off less light to. The T5 bulbs are far superior and they are less than 2" tall with the fixture so they don't waste space.
I would suggest looking into the cost of shop light fixtures plus bulbs at a place like Home Depot and then compare it to the T5 bulb/fixtures like Sun Blaster. If the difference is not that much then don't even think about the shop lights. If you want to add just a little extra light here and there get the screw in compact fluorescent bulbs and some clamp lamp fixtures.

Mike

Mike... thanks .. once I get settled, I will spend some time looking into the sunblaster lights... I did notice a light set-up in a local garden store... the boxes contained T5 as you mentioned, but were obviously sitting on the shelf for years..sooo faded, and the price was like $97!... holy smoke!.. the clamp on lights with CFL bulbs could work perfectly for a while.. since as of today!!!LOL... I only have 6 hoyas... and only 2 of them are hanging in 8" pots.. I will certainly be paying attention to any lighting ideas here.. would just love to see pics of other's set ups... thank you Mike... Eileen

I've looked into the HO fixtures and bulbs locally and they literally run hundreds of dollars...I think the cheapest I found was around $200....the shop light and two bulbs can be done for around $50....But if the shop light fixture doesn't work, you're right--it's a waste of money...What are you paying for the Sunblasters Mike? There was no price quoted on the website and they haven't answered my email yet...thanks..

Eileen--we must have posted at the same time...it sounds to me like that $97 was a STEAL...you might want to seriously consider it...Gosh things have changed...the last time I looked into light gardening (never mind how long ago) the last word in technology was those weird purply "Gro-lights" and I was HORRIFIED at having to pay $15 to $20 for ONE bulb...

I took a look on Ebay and there are many sellers offering SunBlaster T5 light and fixture combos.
I linked to the best option with the extra reflector because normally this has to be purchased separately from the light and fixture.
At home I pay about $40 for a light and fixture in the four foot length.

Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: SunBlaster on Ebay

Oh and remember you can buy multiple fixtures and link them together using the short electrical cords that are provided.

Mike

Mike you are the MAN!!! Thanks so much...I don't know why I didn't think of ebay myself...I just have one more question and than I'll quit bugging you---do you think a one bulb fixture would work on 12-15 plants, or should I bite the bullet and get the two bulb fixture?...
This would be supplemental light--I'm planning on putting them at a window so there would be some natural daylight, but our winters here are typically cloudy for weeks on end...thanks again...

I purchased shop lights at Walmart 2+ years ago. I couldn't use the 48" ones because my shelf unit is only 36" wide. I went for the 24" ones they had there. They were not expensive. The problem is I can't find the replacement bulbs for them. So be carefull what you choose. Make sure you will be able to find replacement bulbs. And if any one knows where to get the 24" x1" bulbs, please let me know.

thanks for the heads up ima....The fixture I'm looking at takes standard T5 bulbs that are available online....Do you know the number or wattage of the bulbs you need? Were they grow lights or standard flourescents?...I'm sure there's a way to find replacements but someone with more knowledge than I have would have to help you out...

I have to use lights from about oct to april where I live .I use T5s and a few cfls.T5s are cheap to buy and cheap to run.In about a month I will have to bring every thing inside and get the lights up.At this time I will take some photos if you like.
For those of you in the states this company has very reasonable T5 lights.

Cindy

Here is a link that might be useful: T5s

If you have some natural light then one fixture will be enough but keep it close to the plants, say 6" from the top of the plants. Also don't use the little 2' fixtures because they are just not worth it when compared to the 4' fixtures. The light always falls off towards the ends of the tubes so a 2' fixture may as well be a spotlight, useful to supplement light for small areas only.

imadigger try searching for the length of your bulbs plus the class such as T5 or T8. Check out the chart below. Some fixture/bulb combos are just throw away so you have to be careful what you buy. Those grow sticks you see for plants at Home Depot etc are just throw away types.

Mike

Here is a link that might be useful: Flourescent bulbs chart

Okay, I just ordered the sunblast fixture from ebay...fingers crossed for a better winter this year and a big thanks for all the help :)...If anyone would like to post pictures I'd love to see them...

Shelley

@Mike
Thanks for the link. Lots of great information. I'll have to take out the bulbs and check the info on them. It's a shame because I bought three fixtures. I was going to buy a fourth, but didn't need it at the time. I don't really have room to hang a 48" fixture. My shelves are next to my china cabinet in the dining room. Not much side room. Right side is next to wall.

cpawl... thanks for the link to HTG Supply!... OMG... just ordered a 4' single lamp T5 light!... I think that will be perfect for this year.. only have a few hoyas... other plants (of course)... so excited.. it was affordable and I hope to have my very first winter of awareness.. the first hoya carnosa that bloomed was about 2 yrs old... never treated it special... had no expectations.. never expected a bloom!... so I've come a long way... 6 hoyas to date!.. and now a lamp... hope it will all fit into my new apt!... and hope my lamp comes in time for my move!... 9/17!... so excited!... thanks for that link!...Eileen

Your welcome Eileen,I hope you get your light soon.Your hoyas will love you for the extra light this winter.I know mine do.

Cindy