Date: Wed, 31 Dec 1997 10:32:00 -0500 From: "Mellard, David" <dam7@cdc.gov> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg4883$foo@default> Subject: RE: Lights for CP
Hi Neal
>I am looking to buy some lights for my CP seed that i will be starting
>soon. what i want to know is what is best for such a job? i have seen
>the lights in the pet store, but i am unsure as to which i should
>purchase... is there a specific brand for plants avail? in the US
>anyways.
Many factors go into deciding what type of light to buy. You should
probably start with deciding what cp's you plan to put under the lights.
For low growing cp's (for example, many drosera, pinguicula's)
fluorescent lights can be used. GE makes a very good, inexpensive full
spectrum light called EXCELLA. I think the price is around $6 - 8, I
get mine from Atlanta Light Bulb so look for a light specialty store
rather than a pet store, which will charge you double or triple the
amount. Many people mixed (I hate to say it cause people could hurt me)
warm and cool flurorescent lights with good results.
The probelm with fluorescent lights, though, is when you try to grow
tall cp's, for instance Sarracenia's. As the plant matures and the
pitchers get taller and taller, the light bulb has to be moved farther
and farther away from the growing point where new pitchers will arise.
This, combined with the lower light intensity of fluorescents bulbs will
give you poorer growth.
You can solve this problem for about $200 by buying a metal halide
light, either 400 watts or 1,000 watts. Again, look for a light
specialty store in your area. The 400 watt will cover an area about 5 x
5 (so I've read) and the 1,000 watt will cover an area 8 x 8 (again, so
I've read). You can increase your growing area by buying a motor and
track that will move your MHL across your growing surface. The motor
and track will probably be another $200. One of the problems with the
MHL is the heat that's produced, which most cp's will love but might be
a problem for you depending on where you set up your system.
I bought the motor and rail from a mail order company in NM (I think)
and will try to remember to bring in the information for the company
should anyone be interested. They also sell a variety of high intensity
lights and will be very helpful with any questions you might have.
David
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