probably each shelf needs a light ...

as you go down shelves .. the one above will block or interfere with light to the shelf below ...

outdoors you will get away with the shelves because the intensity of the sun coming from every direction except up ... would overcome the plants above...

but all indoor lights are very limited as to where the light comes from ....

also.. the lights probably will need to be adjustable .. since you will be working on fixed shelves ...

when it all boils down.. you will have to figure this all out on your own.. we can only offer guidance.. not specific answers ...

and i suggest you make it a slow mo collection of plants... as you perfect the system ..

orrrr .. two lights.. and move your plants from light shelf to non-light shelf every week or so ... no harm in playing with your plants.. lol ... and then later add the two extra lights based on experience ....

will you be using a timer on the lights ... ??? .. i presume you wont want to be running them when you are trying to sleep .... so they will have to be on most of the day ....

those are some pretty big plants for shelves ... how are you going to deal with that.. or maybe i dont understand what you mean by having a plant SHOP ....

ken

I agree with Ken on having each shelf with its own light. Alocasia may be too big (depending on what you have) for 4 shelves (I am guessing you have six foot tall shelves). Alocasia will do better outdoors for summer - space to grow and lots more light.

Here is a side by side of a six foot shelf and a four foot shelf.

A wooden shelf I built from 2x4 and plywood has more space under the first shelf (I use the floor for a shelf).

Consider making a floor stand to hold lightweight LED shop lights for tall plants. This one is 4 foot wide, 6 foot long, and 7 feet high for some of my taller plants (begonias).

Thank you to both of you, that's a huge help!

Unfortunately I'm not in the climate to have the plants outdoors.

The shop will be online and I am purchasing a garden studio to house my plants prior to selling.

The space between each shelf is big enough for the type of alocasia and the size. It won't be the large varieties, I.e. yucatan princess.

A floor stand is a great idea thank you! I may get in larger plants in the future and this could work really well in the space

I really appreciate all your help !

Kind regards

H