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I am wondering if my PL/F-42w 6500K "balanced spectrum" fluorescent light is sufficient for my new Ficus b. 'Kiki' tree. This is my first attempt at bonsai (!)

ldsrptcvt wrote: I am wondering if my PL/F-42w 6500K "balanced spectrum" fluorescent light is sufficient for my new Ficus b. 'Kiki' tree. This is my first attempt at bonsai (!)

I expect you'll get little response on this question. Hardly anyone uses artificial lighting for their bonsai trees.

ldsrptcvt wrote: I am wondering if my PL/F-42w 6500K "balanced spectrum" fluorescent light is sufficient for my new Ficus b. 'Kiki' tree.

Wouldn?t know for sure. I employ a wide spectrum white light source, which medium temperature ranges around 5700-6000K and provides roughly 93 lumens per emitted watt. This source includes the entire visible, infrared and ultraviolet spectrum and we usually call it "The Sun". The curious thing is that this source widely meets the basic light requirements of all of my trees, so they seem to be doing just fine :whistle: :lol:

Alain

alainleon1983 wrote: I employ a wide spectrum white light source, which medium temperature ranges around 5700-6000K and provides roughly 93 lumens per emitted watt.

LOL... didn't see that one coming.
Gotta love this forum with experts on all subjects

Auk wrote: LOL... didn't see that one coming.

Ha... Knew you'd like it... :silly:

Alain

"The Sun" is great for outdoor trees. I must raise this ficus indoors, without good light from the windows; I have read that I need to give it at least 12 hours of artificial light daily, and there is a lot of confusing info out there about the best type of bulb to use. I was hoping you pros could help me - oh well...

ldsrptcvt wrote: I was hoping you pros could help me - oh well...

Unfortunately, I can't. It's not just the light that's an issue, but also temperature and humidity.
That's why I (and many others) grow bonsai outside only.

In case you hadn't find it yourself already, maybe this is of some help:

Secrets To Success With Indoor 名媛直播:

do not worry, my chlldren. I bring gifts from google:

All green plants need light to survive, and more light is required for growth, flowering and fruiting. Light supplies a plant's only energy source. Growers can utilize one of several techniques to provide trees with adequate light. One, those bonsai growers fortunate to have a greenhouse usually have enough light for successful bonsai culture. Two, a south or west windowsill will provide adequate light for many fig species. Three, you can have great success growing plants under fluorescent light, if natural light is unavailable. Four, spectacular growth and flowering may be obtained with halogen or metal halide type lights.

From high school physics we may remember that light energy decreases with the square of the radius from the light source. More simply put, plants should be as close as possible to the light bulbs, as light energy drops drastically as you move the plants away from the tubes.

Fluorescent tubes are cool to the touch and plant leaves will not be damaged by close proximity to the bulb. Other types of lights will generate more heat. Metal halide lamps, in particular, burn hot so plants will not tolerate being too close to them without burning. Experiment with your light setup to determine how close you can get without burning leaves. Also remember that ventilation needs will be higher with any type of grow lamp as these all generate extra heat in your growing room.

Each metal halide lamp also requires a separate transformer box creating several other problems. Transformer boxes must be kept dry, and the transformer also emits a humming sound which can be annoying. Consider carefully the noise, and heat with metal halide lights, especially in rooms with multiple lights.

My experience in growing plants indoors has proven to me that metal halide lights installed into a greenhouse allowed my figs to be even healthier and faster growing. Since plants use light for their energy requirements the total energy they absorb is a factor of day length and light intensity. So the more hours the lights are on the more energy your plants will absorb. However, plants may require a rest period, so 24 hours of light may not be a good idea. Experiment with your light set up to determine your plants optimum day length. Remember also that some plant's key their growth or flowering as a function of day or night hours. This is not a problem with figs since their flowers are usually not significant.

here's the page:



Good luck,
Ed

p.s. sorry for calling you 'my children'

名媛直播Learner wrote: do not worry, my chlldren. I bring gifts from google

LOL... just did the same.

Thanks. I've read all the major articles and, as you can see, they only add to the confusion. I think I'll try this from another angle: has anyone out there had experience using artificial light with ficus trees (or any indoor bonsai)? Anyone out there in a temperate zone using tropical trees for indoor decorative purposes (God forbid, a nice lighted display in the living room)?? I'd be interested to know who has had successes or failures with any particular light sources. Thank you for your patience; I had no idea this would be so hard!