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artificial lighting

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 2:51 am
by grant
I just gave my dad three different cultivars for christmas. But the only spot that will provide a decent dormancy is in his garage. But the only window is facing north.

So, how many hours of artifical light will they need? Until the growing season when he can put them outside.

Re: artificial lighting

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 3:16 am
by Matt
Though it wouldn't be optimal, they'd probably be ok in the north facing window without any direct sunlight until they start growing again. Once they start growing in mid February or so, he could bring them inside in a south facing window where they would get direct sun and then move them outside when the weather warms up enough to stay above freezing.

If you wanted to try to supplement them with artificial lighting, it would be best to try to match the amount of time that the sun is up. Perhaps increasing it by 15 minutes or so a week until they can be put outside.

Re: artificial lighting

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 3:52 am
by grant
Thanks for the quick reply Matt. I will definitely let him know all of that.

I am actually in Denver right now, Christmas day. We came down a few days ago, but had a ton of shopping to do and family time too. Between my girlfriends family and mine, we didn't get much free time. Hopefully we can meet up before you move...

Thanks again. You've been great :D

Re: artificial lighting

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 4:11 am
by lemonlily
All the windows I have are facing north. Is there a problem?

Re: artificial lighting

Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2008 5:29 am
by Matt
grant wrote:Thanks for the quick reply Matt. I will definitely let him know all of that.

I am actually in Denver right now, Christmas day. We came down a few days ago, but had a ton of shopping to do and family time too. Between my girlfriends family and mine, we didn't get much free time. Hopefully we can meet up before you move...
Yeah, I sure hope so. Perhaps sometime this summer. The plants look best then anyway.

I totally understand how there isn't much free time during Christmas. For Christmas this year my wife and I just stayed in Boulder. It was actually quite refreshing to not be worrying about flights or driving for 12 hours straight to get to see family, though I did miss not seeing family.
lemonlily wrote:All the windows I have are facing north. Is there a problem?
Hey Lily, no it shouldn't be a problem. Just be sure to put the plant in a place where it gets lots of sun when it starts growing. That's usually around mid February or March.

Re: artificial lighting

Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 1:33 am
by lemonlily
Thanks Matt. What would you call direct sunlight?

Re: artificial lighting

Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2008 3:55 am
by Matt
Direct sunlight is when the sunlight is hitting your plants directly (i.e. not in the shade).

Re: artificial lighting

Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 8:18 pm
by WORMSS
I'm guessing Going through Glass is still classed as Direct Sunlight? as I cant see normal glass stoping any type of waves of light. [just to be sure], also, I'm guessing a Mirror would be fine?
I've been reading up some cool electronic books recently, Would love to try and make a Solar powered Solar Mirror to keep the sunlight angled at the plant [the plant is indoor]
[of course it wouldn't be a focused mirror]