The plants in the middle are receiving most light, ones on right and left hardly any. Plant on the stand (Burro's tail?) in second photo is definitely going to 'suffer', same as opuntia and some other plants beside it. To grow herbs indoors, I believe that you need to get them as much light as for succulents if not more - which herbs are you growing?

Is it possible to get another grow light? (maybe too $$?) or at least another lamp so side plants get more. Is the hydroponic light fixture same as one you have hanging in the center now? Not sure if you have any plants that tolerate less light - if so, I would group them to 'darker' area.

May I ask what is the room they are in?

It is not easy to supply enough light for succulents...

Thanks for your response Rina.

I would love to get another grow light - like the big one in the middle, but it is too much money. I think it is around $60. I might be able to swing it in January. I am a graduate student and can only work 20 hours a week per my program requirements, so my income is currently limited.

The hydroponic light is just the bulb. It is in the work light fixture on the right. It is much brighter than the 100w daylight bulb I have, and it is quite large.

Here is a picture of it from amazon...

And this is the grow light I have... also from amazon...

The big grow light is $58.

Anyone want that opuntia?

I think I will just have to rotate everything so it balances out. And don't really water them so maybe they will just go dormant and not get all leggy. :-( This is such a pain.

Thanks Rina. I have them in my guest room/office. I don't have a basement so that isn't an option. I thought about putting them in my garage but I think it'll get too cold. I'm currently watering once a week. I will see about decreasing it slowly.

I appreciate your input. I really wish my apartment was south facing! I have a few in a window sill that are doing quite well. That window is west facing so they get the evening light... about 5 hours now that its winter. Hopefully it'll be enough...

Looks like the setup modification was worth the effort. It's a much better distribution of light than before. Your tinfoil modification is creative and effective. =)

I think Rina's onto something about letting some of your plants go dormant. After looking at your photo a while, I don't think it's possible to give them all enough light.

Originally I wasn't going to have two light setups, but the light in my loft ended up being much darker than expected as fall came. =(

My biggest succulent, a Euphorbia trigona, has been put on a very minimal watering schedule now with lower natural light... it's losing all it's nice leaves but I can live with it looking the same all winter (maybe that's even a good thing it doesn't grow much taller, ha).

How many 1'x4' shelves would you need for all your plants if you cram them all in together? Maybe you can prioritize half your collection or more (with one layer of light).

Or if you're able to put in a third shelf or skinny table, then you could get a bit better utilization of your lights. The reflectors look to cover have an area that's much wider than 1', although the walls help by giving you a bit of bounce.

Putting your shelves back to back would give better use of space on the top level, but the bottom levels become harder to access and probably would get barely any light at all.

If anything, try to visualize how the light is distributed from each of your lamps.

Two would be very distinct circles and the other a sort of oblong shape. Then place your highest light plants in the brightest spots and ones with lesser needs (or you care less about) around the edges.

I'm still shuffling my pots around every few weeks... I think the more you look at it the easier it gets.

Deva, I think you touched on something worth considering. Culling the herd, so to speak. I have been a little stressed by 'overpopulation', and am in the process of giving away/selling a few plants to reduce the stress level. As I'm sure with many, I got into this for relaxation... Deciding who goes/who stays has been hard, but has helped me define which plants I truly enjoy, and which ones could be better enjoyed elsewhere.

ez

can't offer any advice cause i'm all natural light, but your plants look very fine right now, so good luck with all that.