skip to main content

Carnivorous Plants

Sunlight

carnivorousplants

16 years ago

Hi,

My mom says it's ok to keep my plants in my bedroom in front of the window for sunlight, where the sun shines from 1pm 'til sundown. I think that is not enough because I've read that windows block 40% of the sunlight. What should I do? Is my mom right when she says it's enough sunlight for them?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

tommyr_gw Zone 6
16 years ago
Which plants are your talking about? Tell us!
0
mutant_hybrid
16 years ago
Hello carnivorousplants,

Is it possible to grow fully developed roses and tomatoes in a window? In most cases, such plants are termed as garden plants as they need full sun. As you researched, window panes cut back not only on the intensity of light, but the intensity of ultraviolet radiation (by about 80% from what I have read), and do not allow for the full day's sun to reach sun intensive plants like Sarracenias and Venus Flytraps. In other words, you have a light tinting to the glass, refraction occurring, and eaves and the roof of the house blocking the light all at once. Yes, it is possible to grow garden plants in a window, but they might not fully develop or grow very large nor as quickly and simply will not be very healthy. To give a general estimate, window light would be about as intense as the 12000 lumen florescent light I have on my plants. Now if you added those florescent lights to the window light, the plants would do much better. Real sun is about 2-5 times as intense as that window or my florescent lights. The window would be great for the Nepenthes and tropical sundews though as those plants grow in slightly less intense light and grow all year, so dormancy will not be a hardship they go through with low light as North American plants have to go through.
0
Related Discussions
direct sunlight vs. filtered sunlight
Q
Comments (5)
What you have is "Filtered" sunlight, which is fine for now, but as your plants get older like the one on the left, you will want to get them out into full sun as much as possible unless your temps are constantly in the upper 90's or hotter, then the filtered sun would be better. It probably isn't filtered a whole lot through screen but still full sun is better and getting them outside will likely allow longer direct sun than 6 hours per day. That being said, they will still probably grow and produce where they are at. Bruce
...See More
Large Covered Back Porch -- Need Ideas for More Natural Light
Q
Comments (55)
DK, I’m glad you mentioned that having the back of the home facing south would mean the master suite would be warmer as well. I don’t think that would be optimal in the Deep South - it’s just sweltering, and I cannot tolerate being hot in our bedroom. Is it crazy that I may now try to position our new home to AVOID the hot afternoon sun??!! I like light and all, but since it was mentioned that it won’t be a dungeon, I think I’m good with just some light trickling in the living room. Hubs is very sensitive to light and would be as happy in a cave... so he’s not too concerned about a lot of natural light coming in. We are doing lots of recessed lights throughout the home, and almost all will have dimmers, as I enjoy them in our current home and like the ability to have something in between dark and “in your face bright” on occasion. :) Funny you mention landscaping, as my husband owns a landscape company! I know nothing about any of it, but I’ve heard him mention things like this several times when a client wants ABC plants for a certain location, but only XYZ plants will thrive there. After speaking with my husband about the whole skylight/sun tube issue, he was not a fan - and for the exact same reasons given here (additional heat, “putting holes in the roof”/compromising structural integrity, additional cost, cost of potential repairs, etc... so it sounds like that’s out. He did say he might consider a couple of skylights in the roof on the covered porch only, but feels like that defeats the purpose of a COVERED porch. I mean, he’s not wrong there. LOL All that said, there has been a ton of good information given, and I appreciate all of it! I welcome and appreciate any and all suggestions and opinions - I’ve learned so much from y’all! Keep ‘em coming!
...See More
Kitchen countertop for lots of sunlight?
Q
Comments (8)
I am NOT a pro, but my understanding is that quartz doesn’t react well to direct sunlight (one reason why it isn’t used outdoors) so how much sun your kitchen gets should be a factor in whether or not quartz would be a good choice. In the past, darker colors faded and lighter colors yellowed when exposed to direct sun. So a natural stone might be more suitable for you. Of course, there may have been improvements to quartz products made recently of which I am not aware so hopefully someone with more knowledge will chime in. Good luck!
...See More
SPC flooring and sunlight
Q
Comments (0)
Most rooms will get some sunlight. What are the cons of SPC flooring in this case ? Rugs can cover some of the area but not 100% of exposed area. Any recommendations? Will try to close blinds etc. But there will be times it will be exposed for whatever reason. Any feedback from people in similar situations who have it installed ?
...See More
carnivorousplants
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi,
my collection is rather small:
S. purpurea
S. flava
S. leucophylla
S.x Judith hindle
Venus flytrap
Combo-Garden
N. sanguinea
N.x ventrata
N. rafflesiana
N. rajah
D. capensis
P. primuliflora
S.x Scarlette belle
I also have several seedlings from many other sundews.
I think thats my whole collection.
- Adrian
0
drwurm
16 years ago
Rather small for an expert maybe....I have pretty much the 3 most popular,
VFT
D. Capensis
S. Purpurea

But i do do a lot of research. As most growers are going to tell you, those Sarracenia and VFTs belong outside. Those Neps should probably be kept out of the direct window sun. The sundews would probably do well in the sunny window.

You have a very wide assortment of plants so you're going to have to provide each their own environment.
0
carnivorousplants
Original Author
16 years ago
I forgot to tell you that we have some very strong winds here and they could easily knock them down.So I would not put them outside.
- Adrian
0
petiolaris
16 years ago
Your Sarracenias and VFT's are really outdoor plants. The Neps should have artificial lighting, ~12 hours per day. The capensis and primulifora should be okay on a window sill, but the capensis should have more light than that. Your best solution for lighting is seeing if she'll spring for additional fluorescent lighting. The VFT's & Sarrs are also going to need a dormancy.
0

Related Stories

GREEN BUILDING Sunlight Used Right: Modern Home Designs That Harness Solar Power

Embracing passive heating principles through their architecture, siting and more, these homes save energy without skimping on warmth

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Sunlight and Family Friendliness for a California Cottage

By Vanessa Brunner

A family of 4 gets comfy in a guesthouse, thanks to lots of light and forgiving materials

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Spring Forward! Making the Most of Evening Sunlight

By Lily Gahagan

Embrace the extra hour of sun that daylight saving time brings

REMODELING GUIDES Architect's Toolbox: Wash the Wall With Sunlight

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Enrich your home's spaces and surfaces with a natural light show

GREEN BUILDING Look to the Sun for More of Your Home's Lighting

Manage sunlight with design-savvy windows, solar tubes and skylights to save energy and show your home's beauty

ARCHITECTURE What You Must Know About the Sun and Your Home

By Duo Dickinson, architect

Learn about the powerful effects of sunlight on house materials and more, and see 7 homes that address the sun's rays beautifully

ARCHITECTURE Innovative Screens Add Architectural Wonder on 3 Modern Homes

Aiding privacy and filtering sunlight may have been important, but these screens offer dazzling visuals as part of the package

MORE ROOMS 8 Colors for North-Facing Rooms

By Kelly Porter

Have a room with little sunlight? One of these vibrant, saturated paint colors will warm it up

LIGHTING Lighting: The Hardest Working Fixtures of the Home

By Kerrie Kelly Design Lab

Create Your Favorite Mood With a Mix of Sunlight and Fixtures

COTTAGE STYLE Houzz Tour: Beach Shack Reborn as a Copper-Clad Cottage

By People&Spaces

A tranquil home with a copper exterior lets in ocean air, sunlight and greenery on a challenging site

Sponsored

Davidson Builders

1 Review

Franklin County's Full-Scale General Contractor