Grow Light

[1stMerc]

Anyone using one for their legal house plants. Just bought in my fully foliaged Hybiscus and want to keep it that way over the winter. Need a good (preferably inexpensive) one.

[captain]

Home Depot carries a T5 lamp kit for about 150 dollars... with the lamps.
The T8 set is better for Hibiscus in the winter and cheaper to run. IMO
The T5 is quite intense. Can not really even look into it. I feel that is over kill when wintering is the objective. Oh yea...Daylight spectrum for sure.Get a timer for sure Amazon has a dial version that works great for 8 bucks.

[1stMerc]

Thanks for the info. Was looking at they're site and saw the T5 kits but no T8s only the T8 bulbs.

Went back and saw they have a T5 that includes the timer 157. Was wondering just how intense these lamps are and you answered that. Will the T8 bulbs fit in the T5 housing?

[Mr. Man]

Hybiscus! :lol: :rofl: :rofl: You crack me up Waymon. :rasta:

[Ms. Denmark]

__________________

[1stMerc]

Hybiscus! :lol: :rofl: :rofl: You crack me up Waymon. :rasta:

That y through you off eh, it is a real Hibiscus. :D

http://hibiscus-sinensis.com/images/president.jpg

[1stMerc]

FWIW Waymon, Mr. Man hauled our 2 Hibiscus trees (which were in huge pots) off the terrace and into the dining room to overwinter a couple years in a row. They did OK without growlights but our dining room has 9 windows (3 on three sides).


Hi Paula, i've been hauling mine in for the winter since about 2004. Only have one window to sit it in front of. It does okay, but i not being that big a fan of a lot of heat it looses quiet a bit of leaves between bringing it in during the winter and out in the spring. My front porch is enclosed with windows on three sides and is great for plants (not so good for humans). Gets the better part the day in sunlight and holds heat for growing during the spring/summer months, but sucks in the winter. Haven't seen a flower on it in some time, possibly due to stress during winter and recovery when it goes out in spring. Think grow lamp would give it more of a fighting chance during the cold spell.

[captain]

T5... T8... T12...All different(completly) and not interchangeable.
The 12s run cheap but generate low kelvins
The 8s are very common and affordable.
Those 5s are amazing. Go to the store and have a look. Then compare $$$ to the 8s. With winter plants and the cooler temps save your electric bill.
If you are fearless about the electric bill and want production. Spend 500 on a Metal Halide. Plus when the winter blues sets in you can strip down and soak up those rays!!

[1stMerc]

Decisions, decisions..
Those Metal Halides look interesting. Do they generate heat on par with incandescents? That would provide localized heat and light for the plant while rest of room stays comfy for humans.

[captain]

Lots of heat. If you go that route do yourself a favor and buy the hood with the fan adaptor. And an interchangeable bulb (lamp) setup. Thjis way one ballast and one hood can serve two purposes. When you want to generate foliage vs flowering.
Heat kills. A fan can be installed cool the bulb and heat the room...Win Win

[Joe Walsh]

I didn't know that you can you smoke Hibiscus...:dunno:

:beatnik:.......:rasta:

[Mike M]

I'm in Maui right now and in the little town of Lahaina a bunch of these Hawaiian hippies keep coming up to me and asking if I want to buy some real strong hibiscus.

[1stMerc]

I didn't know that you can you smoke Hibiscus...:dunno:

:beatnik:.......:rasta:

Shooooot maaaaaan yoooos can smoke innny thaaaang, long as you don't inhale. :beatnik:


But that's not what i'm doing with my Hibiscus. I've had it for about 9 years and the lady i got it from had it for 5 just trying to give it the best chance of surviving during the winter spell and one day get it to bloom again. Nice surprise when you look out and see that flower.