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Artificial lighting

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:25 am
by munchie16201
So Saturday i went to a store that sells VFT. Very hard to find a store that sells these plants where i live. Anyway While i was there,i asked them about artificial lighting for VFTs. The lady there said they sell the lights and they are the kinds of lights she uses at home for her plants. So i bought 1 for now just to make sure it will work. The light bulb she sold me is just a regular energy savers bulb. The kind that is swirly. Like soft serve ice cream or something. Anyway here is the kind she sold me.
I do not think this is the right kind,but bought it anyway.
Thanks for the help.

Re: Artificial lighting

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 8:29 am
by Veronis
They come in all varieties; some are great for flytraps, some are pretty terrible. ;)

How many watts is the bulb you got, and what color temperature is it? Can you see a brand name on it anywhere?

Re: Artificial lighting

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 9:36 am
by munchie16201
Since i only have 1 pot of VFTs for now. She gave me a 23watt=100 watts. It is a warm white 2700k The only name i can see on it is energetic.
Thanks

Re: Artificial lighting

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 9:39 am
by Veronis
That will work, just keep it within inches from the plant.

Re: Artificial lighting

Posted: Sun Apr 08, 2012 1:43 pm
by tommyr
I would get a light(s) with at least 6,000k, it's more natural light. Better yet, put it outside after your last frost date, Sunlight is really what it needs.

Re: Artificial lighting

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 9:00 am
by munchie16201
Thanks Veronis. I just want to use the light til the temps stay warm enough to keep them outside. My nephews bedroom gets most of the direct sunlight and his plants seems to be doing really well. He does not need a light.

Tommyr-I am going to grow them outside when the temps warm up enough. The past 2 weeks it was betweeo 65-80 degrees FH. Now it is only going to be in the 40s for highs and high 20s to low 30s for low with snow in the forecast. So i do not really want to put them outside til it warms up. Our last frost/freeze averages to be May26th according to the calendar,and i was tld not to take them outside during the day and bring them in at night cause it could harm the plants. Is this right? Would it hurt or not?
Thanks

Re: Artificial lighting

Posted: Mon Apr 09, 2012 4:19 pm
by tommyr
Mine are out now, it it gets down to freezing I cover them with towels/etc.

Re: Artificial lighting

Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 9:29 am
by munchie16201
New to this artificial lighting thing. Since i am using the bulb pictured above,and since it is a regular bulb,do i need to do anything to the light i put it in? Or can i just put it in a standard lamp without doing anything to the lamp? and put my plants a few inches away from it?
Thanks

Re: Artificial lighting

Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2012 2:58 pm
by xr280xr
tommyr wrote:I would get a light(s) with at least 6,000k, it's more natural light. Better yet, put it outside after your last frost date, Sunlight is really what it needs.
I agree. I use 6500k as recommended by many here. It would probably like both your bulb and a 6000k+ bulb together too.

Re: Artificial lighting

Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 12:37 am
by B-money
I'm using 6500k light with standard shop light. So far so good. Sorry you can't see the plants well

Re: Artificial lighting

Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 4:12 am
by JPowell490
With that kind of reflector, that is very close, that is real close.

Sent using my Galaxy S6 edge

Re: Artificial lighting

Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2015 4:40 pm
by B-money
Nice thing about those compact fluorescents they don't generate much heat. I check every day, my plants really don't get much in the way of heat from those lamps. 16 hours a day and you can touch them with bare hands