Something in the air that improves vigor

7 years ago

Last 2017-2018 season I've noticed that once it's warm enough to put my Hippeastrum outside on the balcony, they grow like crazy around 30% larger even though it's North facing with only a few hours of direct sunlight daily and 0 sunlight from November to February. The ones in the house with an East facing window with plenty of morning sunlight have only regained their initial size that was lost during Spring flowering. All receive the same watering with diluted liquid fertilizer.

Growing seedlings, I've noticed the ones without much air movement about 4 feet away from the window crack are not doing as well as those near the slightly opened window that receives a gentle breeze from outside. The ones near the window breeze have more leaves and roots reaching through the bottom of the rockwool.

So, I can only summarize that there must be something in the air. More CO2? More O2?

Note: Been into Hippeastrum since 2006 but after moving and a 5-year layoff I'm back and learning new things that Vets may already know. Zone 10, Southern California.

Featured Answer

petrushka (7b)

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

m-mm..it's not the air, but the amount of light. outside even without sun the light levels are much higher then indoors in the southern window. light=food for plants :). there is detailed info on the subject, if you search. but roughly in southern window there is half as much light as in the shade outdoors.

you can find a light measuring app for mobile and then check yourself.

as far as opening the window: a lot of plants prefer a temperature drop at night 7-10F. indoors the temps usually do not drop that far, UNLESS you open the window!

but..some plants do not like cold drafts...

though hippies are very tolerant of chill, I leave mine out until it starts dropping below 40F at nite and they are all in small 6-7" pots too.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

petrushka (7b)
7 years ago
the paper over the pots? protection from kittie?
Brian Sakamoto (10a, CA, USA) thanked petrushka (7b)
Related Professionals
California Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · York Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Chicago Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Temecula Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Plymouth Landscape Contractors · Sterling Landscape Contractors · Rutland Landscape Contractors · Bridgeport Landscape Contractors · Marquette Home Additions · Murfreesboro Landscape Contractors · Rochester Landscape Contractors · Watertown Landscape Contractors · Evanston Landscape Contractors · Middletown Tile and Stone Contractors · Brooklyn Tile and Stone Contractors
Brian Sakamoto (10a, CA, USA)
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Thanks for your input! Yes, I do have a light meter and it's significantly less on the porch (yet sufficient) than the sunlit window. It's possible that the window pane filters lot of the helpful UV.

The paper is to prevent algae growth on the surface of the rockwool.
petrushka (7b)
7 years ago
ah, porch! I thought you said balcony? porches with deep overhangs are not bright enough, true. I have NE balcony-loggia about 5' wide with 10' ceiling. without it my hippies won't be blooming 10? years running (common but reliable 'Minerva''s).

yes, windows filter UV's but not UVA's :) so next to the sunny window it might get VERY hot. or quite cold at night (but not in Cali :)).
Brian Sakamoto (10a, CA, USA)
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Yes balcony not porch. I get the two words mixed up sometimes.
petrushka (7b)
7 years ago
there's more to outside light: it gets reflected in all directions and overall is much stronger then indoors. and a lot depends on the size of the window and angles of the sun and how you measure the light that falls on the plants.

usually outdoors the light exposure is much longer, even when weak. it's the cumulative light that counts. but indoors unless you have a glass wall (very wide and tall windows) your bright light is short-lived. and it depends on latitude, etc - at which angle it falls.