Growing under LEDS on bookshelf (help needed?)

9 years ago

I posted in the African Violet forums looking for advice on a good strip light for under a bookshelf. I didn't get any replies so I thought I'd try under the dedicated lighting forum.

I just moved to a new house and don't have a lot of space for my plants to all sit out on one flat surface. I currently have an Erligpowht 45W LED board that, used to hang above my dresser (and all my plants sat on top of that dresser). We had mounted the light to the bottom of a shelf that was above my dresser.

Well now that I don't have the dresser and my apartment is quite small, I need a new setup. I got a small ladder-style bookshelf at target and put it in my kitchen. It has 3 shelves and the top. What I'd like to do is to hang a strip light or strip leds along the underside of the shelves, so the shelf below gets light, and then hang the Erligpowht from the ceiling above it.

What I'm running into is the fear that I might not have enough light. Just for something temporary, I bought some cheap rolls of tape LED lights and stuck them along the underside of the shelves. I have one strip of red and one strip of white on the underside of each shelf, and then fed them down the backs of the vertical parts of the shelf. It doesn't look good, but it's at least light.

But is it enough? I feel like I should have a different light. Or a better one? Or more LEDs?

I have various cacti, an aloe, and multiple african violets that need enough light. Any thoughts on a) if these lights are suitable, b) advice on a better setup/better light fixture?

The exact LED strips I got are these: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HSF65MC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also got a roll of red and a power adaptor.

I'd appreciate any feedback on this so I can get my lights situated ASAP! Thanks! :)

TLDR; I bought LED tape lights to put on the underside of shelves on a book shelf. Are they good enough for my plants or do I need something different?

Featured Answer

Nancy

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Would something like this work for you? It comes in all sizes.

https://www.amazon.com/Galaxyhydro-Waterproof-Multi-Angle-Plants-Light/dp/B01I4NYEYM/ref=pd_sbs_86_5?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01I4NYEYM&pd_rd_r=15G332STQPR5XRRTEQZ1&pd_rd_w=uD7KX&pd_rd_wg=yRW4w&refRID=15G332STQPR5XRRTEQZ1&th=1

There's also this. Costly but would work on a small bookshelf.

https://www.amazon.com/AeroGarden-LED-Grow-Light-Panel/dp/B0725QBG1G/ref=sr_1_11?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1499298436&sr=1-11&keywords=45+watt+grow+light

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Comments (9)

Dave
9 years ago
The tape on leds will provide practically no usable light for the plants. I'm sorry.
User
Original Author
9 years ago
That's what I was worried about. Could you recommend another light I might be able to make use of? I ordered the smallest Apollo horticulture LEDs (75watt I believe) but they can't be flat mounted; they must be hung.
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Kitchenlady (Tennessee, Zone 7a)
8 years ago
ArtsyAxolotl - What did you end up using? I have a similar situation and am trying to figure out lighting for african violets. I've read a few different places that those adhesive LED lights will work if you have enough of them and the plants are close enough to the lights.
Nancy
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Kitchenlady- my daughter tried the adhesive strips with her healthy violets. She also had 4 strips for the plants and the plants 3 inches from lights. Leaves curled and turned brown in a few weeks, and plants would not flower. But I've also read similar reports that they work great. The cost for them is so nominal that I'd feel like giving it a try anyway. Would be very interested too to find out what the OP decided on doing.
User
Original Author
8 years ago
@KitchenLady The biggest problem I had with the LED strips was that the adhesive sucks. They didn't stick AT ALL and kept falling down. I never got to find out if they were any good lighting wise.

I ended up getting one of these for each shelf:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071DBM8N2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The pic's a little dark, sorry, but this was the only way I could get the whole light fixture in the frame. So I basically just clipped it to the short side of the shelf. I have 2 of these clip-on lights, one for my violets and one for my succulents. Both seem to light the lights a lot and the violets have actually flowered for the first time in a long time. I'd say these lights are pretty good, so far.

Hope that helps!

PS ignore that violet in the back. It's pissed about something unrelated to the lights.
abc1971
8 years ago
I am looking to do the same thing. There are some more expensive LED strip lights that should be able to work for your needs. But be willing to invest more money into it. A lot of that crap sold on amazon isn't built to last. Although I don't have any personal experience with this company I am thinking of buying some lights from this website. It's not cheap but this actual LED strip light provides 1,000 lumens per linear foot! Any plant should be happy with this:

https://www.flexfireleds.com/industrial-ultra-bright-led-strip-light-bright-white-reel/

The only thing I'm wondering about is if I should focus on a 2700K rating for floral production versus the 6200K rating which is good for foliar growth. In the past I've used two HOT5 bulbs with one at 2700K and the other at 6400K to cover all bases.
abc1971
8 years ago
I just did some more research and according to this one online blogger this woman seems to do pretty well with LED strip lights that she bought from amazon. Here is the link to her page:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/growing-under-leds-on-bookshelf-help-needed-dsvw-vd~4701743

She provides detailed instructions and links to everything you need to get your project going. According to her, she has been growing her African violets under LED strip lights for two years without any problems. I'm going to check it out and give it a try.
User
7 years ago
Hello ArtsyAxolotl，I recommend SANSI grow light bulb to you, E26 base, you can install it in normal lamp. Its 380~780nm full spectrum is very good for plants. I think 15w is enough for your plants on bookshelf.