Light Requirements |
The most important thing to your exotic plant is sunlight. To little or even
to much can be bad for your plants. The tricky part is trying to figure
out how much light an area receives and with this I hope to help, at least
a little. |
Outside in an non unobstructed area in the summer your plants can be
receiving near 10,000 foot candles of light in the winter this could be closer
to 7,000 foot candles. Many plants love as much of this full sun as possible,
but most of the plants available here require a bit less (check the specific
palm, or plant). Keep in mind if planting near the house the south side
receives the most sun, and most heat, while the north side has lower light levels
but will be the coolest in the winter. If planting a young palm east
and west sides are a good option since they will recieve good light and some protection
till they grow taller than the house. |
Inside the house is the trickiest area. After making sure you avoid AC and
heater ducts you can start to analyze your area for light. |
Window Light Levels Average North = 220 foot candles within one foot South = 4800 foot candles within one foot East = 350 foot candles within one foot West = 350 foot candles within 1 foot |
These levels all drop the further away from the window you are, also if there are
obstructions |
Artificial light is another way to grow your plants indoors here are some ideas. |
Incandescent lights produce a lot of heat and are best used within 2 feet of the
plant. (Heat can easily burn tender plant foilage). |
Incandescent Light levels at 2 feet* (directed) 40 watt = 25 foot candles 60 watt = 45 foot candles 75 watt = 60 foot candles 100 watt = 80 foot candles |
Remember these are directed figures, a 40 watt incandescent bulb in a lamp (non directed)
only produces about 10 foot candles within 1 foot. |
Fluorescent is usually more economical for plant growing inside without a window.
You can use any type of fluorescent as long as it’s directed, and total
wattage of all bulbs equal the numbers below. Special grow bulbs will not
increase the foot candles but contain certain wave lengths to enhance plants growth.
Also make sure to replace the bulbs after about a year, they may still
be burning but their effectiveness will be reduced. |
Fluorescent light levels at 1 and 2 feet 40 watts = 120 foot candles at 1 foot, 75 foot candles at 2 feet 80 watts = 240 foot candles at 1 foot, 100 foot candles at 2 feet 120 watts = 360 foot candles at 1 foot, 140 foot candles at 2 feet 160 watts = 480 foot candles at 1 foot, 190 foot candles at 2 feet |
Mabe, R. Gardening With Lights. Potpourri Press, 1975. |
To see what level of light your palm should have look at the specific palm in our
sales section, as time goes on I will post a list of palms, other exotics
and light levels here. |
When taking a plant that can grow in a range of light levels, from one light to another
will almost always result in stressing your plant. Plants get accustomed
to the light they are growing in. For example many plants growing in shade
will grow longer petioles or larger leaves, while in full sun the same plant
may be more compact with smaller leaves. In order to take a plant from one
light level to another it must be done gradually over a period of weeks, in
order for the plant to adjust. Many houseplants that are brought outside
for the summer will get major sunburn damage if exposed to the bright sun immediately.
Here at The Palm Shop all of our low light level plants are grown
in the shade. Many of our palms are grown inside the home to make sure the
requirements are correct. |
Acclimatization |
The
Palm Shop / LaBelle, Fl / 239-634-4040 Fax(863-675-6696) /
Sales@ThePalmShop.com Copyright © 2007 The Palm Shop - All Rights Reserved The Palm Shop is a Florida Registered nursery # 47232878 FNGLA certified horticulture professional certification H99 6248 |