Indoor Lighting for Citrus

18 years ago

I have been searching around GW for info on indoor lighting setups and I think I've only succeded in getting myself more confused. Metal Halide vs Sodium bulbs vs. flourescents. Color temps for growth vs. flowering. Costs, energy usage, space, etc. My head is spinning...

Here's my situation: I have a south facing window that I planned to overwinter my citrus by. I realize given the grey skies of a NY winter that I should probably supplement them with lighting. I have a blood orange, red grapefruit,guava and lime tree ranging from 4.5' down to 10" high and plan to put them all together in front of the window to grab whatever light is available. I also have 3 smaller plants (tomatoe, pepper, maybe start a few seedlings in spring)that I just want to get through winter till I can put them in the garden.(the bedroom also has an east window for ambient light.) I plan to use mirrors or reflective surfaces to help but I would really like the citrus to grow a little (or a lot!)during winter if possible (a few flowers would be a HUGE bonus but I realize maybe unlikely). This setup would only be for winter as I would move the plants outside during summer.

I was gravitating towards Sodium or Metal Halide but I'm finding a lot of mixed reviews when they are put up against flourescent grow lights, etc. I know very little about indoor lighting and need advice from the experts.

What kind of lighting setup would you recommend for this situation?

Thanks,

Chops

P.S.- i have a very good light meter if that helps my setup.

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Comments (3)

Patty_in_Wisc
18 years ago
Hi Chops,
I know how confused you are. The last 3 winters the more I read on the lighting forum, the more confused I got. I now have a 3 season sunroom addition with big windows facing south and a big table there with plants on. Neighbor has a big tree there but when leaves fall off, I'll get sun from about 10 till 3:30-4. I used to have 2 40 watt flourescents, 2 - 90 watt halogen spotlights and two of those blue plant lights (look like spotlights) 120 watts @. Now I only use 1 blue light (other burned out LOL) and New flourescent fixtures. One has 4 lamps & 2 have 2 lamps. They are T8 1" diam lamps at 32 watts each. They are brighter than the 40 watts! They last longer & all in all are better for plants (& use less electricity) You'll need to buy the special fixtures for them --you can't put lamps in those 40 flor. fixtures. All 8 lamps are 4' long & right above the plants on ceiling. I put them on timer switch so they go on from 8:30 - 10 & then at 4:30-- 8:30. I'm saving much more $$ on Elect. using only 240 watts & the 110 watts from blue bulb. Plants are also on a mirrored table. This is working just fine so far. I have healthy blossoms on my buddha! Last winter I also used one of those floor standing 2-lamp halogens at 500 watts each lamp! I bought it on sale & it frizzled out...broke. Anyway, you don't need all those expensive light set ups esp. if you have plants in a south window. Just use extra lights maybe 8-10 and/or from 3:30 till 8. Flourescent light is the closest to natural sun.
What does your light meter read? I sure wish I had one. The few I've seen were real expensive. Can I borrow yours ?LOL I will have to put a pic on of my set up.
Patty
Joe
Original Author
18 years ago
Hi Patty,
Thanks for replying! I would love to see a pic of your setup if you could send one. It would help me figure out what I need to do. The thing with my south window is that there are evergreens in a neighbooring yard that I think block all but the apex of the winter sun's path. I have to pay attention to how the sun travels since it's only my second winter here. The window is also a little small so it's hard to get all 4 trees directly in front of it.

Do you think one 400W HPS or Metal Halide bulb would be too much? I don't want to burn lots of $$ in electricity but I figured the plants could use the extra warmth also. The room is a little on the cool side (about 60 degrees F)

My wife is a photographer so that's how I have the light meter. Good bonus! They ARE expensive and I wouldn't have one otherwise. Maybe I could let you borrow it in exchange for all your citrus knowledge!! ;)

Chops
P.s.- Patty, I just received my guava tree! It's so beautiful. I can't wait to see how she grows. Now I REALLY need to get my setup going....
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siliconmage
18 years ago
I'd figure what the minimum footcandles or lux you'd need for your project. That will tell you what type of lighting you would need. Your light meter will be invaluable.

Indoor Lighting for Citrus

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Patty_in_Wisc

Joe
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Indoor Lighting for Citrus

Comments (3)

Patty_in_Wisc

JoeOriginal Author

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Joe
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