Post by clonem on Jan 14, 2017 14:05:31 GMT -5
I grow mostly Nepenthes, with 4-foot fluorescent fixtures and 4100°K bulbs, very successfully. I also have a small section of my indoor growing area for Sarracenia. I've mastered germination, but decided to take their lighting to the next level, more like bringing the outdoors in. Everybody knows Sarracenia receive powerful sunlight in their native habitat, and my goal is to produce plants that can more easily make their transition to the outdoors when they're ready. Also, I aim to more easily cull seedlings with traits I'm looking for with this enhanced lighting.
There are many sources both in text and video about these guys, but this link sums up where I want to progress my effort: EYE HORTILUX PowerVeg
So I have, and will install, two 4-foot T5 fixtures with each fixture holding 4 bulbs. The outer two bulbs are their FS+UV (full-spectrum plus UV), while the inner two are one each of the 420 and 460 VEG spectrum. This setup is targeted for purely vegetative growth and health. These are among the most expensive T5 bulbs out there, but my area dedicated to Sarracenia seedlings is small, so it's not that bad. It will be a vast improvement over the current lighting which is still perfect for Nepenthes.
Link no. 2: Trade Show
UPDATE FEB. 15
OK, here are representative results of this T5 setup I put into place using EYE Hortilux PowerVEG bulbs. Keep in mind, I have no photo record prior to these pics, so you are getting just the current description of what is being seen. For those of you who may have been growing a long time under lights of various formats and have the urge to chime in about how these EYE Hortilux lights aren't doing anything against your past results, that's not the purpose of my message.
The purpose of my message is this: There is a night-and-day difference between what I was seeing under a standard T12 fluorescent light setup that works perfectly for my Nepenthes, and these new lights being used only for my Sarracenia seedlings.
Here is a quick shot upward of the 4-light fixture as lit up. The outer two white-looking bulbs are the FS+UV (full-spectrum plus UV), while the inner two are one each of the 420 and 460. Two 420's would be perfectly acceptable; I just added a 460 for enhanced balance. These inner two bulbs are solely for vegetative growth.
Now, here are a couple of veined flava seedlings that have entered this state in overdrive, just within a week.
Finally, some oreophila seedlings:
Feb. 24.....
Various S. flavas germinating directly under the T5 setup. I can't wait to watch the progress now with UV light from the very beginning. Germination is from 7-20 days on average, depending on the individual cell in the flat.
Feb. 26...
Here's a couple of plants that have erected new pitchers seen usually after the MaxSea treatment. These are with no fertilizer. The last time these plants had anything was over three months ago at least.
There are many sources both in text and video about these guys, but this link sums up where I want to progress my effort: EYE HORTILUX PowerVeg
So I have, and will install, two 4-foot T5 fixtures with each fixture holding 4 bulbs. The outer two bulbs are their FS+UV (full-spectrum plus UV), while the inner two are one each of the 420 and 460 VEG spectrum. This setup is targeted for purely vegetative growth and health. These are among the most expensive T5 bulbs out there, but my area dedicated to Sarracenia seedlings is small, so it's not that bad. It will be a vast improvement over the current lighting which is still perfect for Nepenthes.
Link no. 2: Trade Show
UPDATE FEB. 15
OK, here are representative results of this T5 setup I put into place using EYE Hortilux PowerVEG bulbs. Keep in mind, I have no photo record prior to these pics, so you are getting just the current description of what is being seen. For those of you who may have been growing a long time under lights of various formats and have the urge to chime in about how these EYE Hortilux lights aren't doing anything against your past results, that's not the purpose of my message.
The purpose of my message is this: There is a night-and-day difference between what I was seeing under a standard T12 fluorescent light setup that works perfectly for my Nepenthes, and these new lights being used only for my Sarracenia seedlings.
Here is a quick shot upward of the 4-light fixture as lit up. The outer two white-looking bulbs are the FS+UV (full-spectrum plus UV), while the inner two are one each of the 420 and 460. Two 420's would be perfectly acceptable; I just added a 460 for enhanced balance. These inner two bulbs are solely for vegetative growth.
Now, here are a couple of veined flava seedlings that have entered this state in overdrive, just within a week.
Finally, some oreophila seedlings:
Feb. 24.....
Various S. flavas germinating directly under the T5 setup. I can't wait to watch the progress now with UV light from the very beginning. Germination is from 7-20 days on average, depending on the individual cell in the flat.
Feb. 26...
Here's a couple of plants that have erected new pitchers seen usually after the MaxSea treatment. These are with no fertilizer. The last time these plants had anything was over three months ago at least.