If I were you as for an emergency light for your plants use a regular 100 watt incandescent light bulbs near your plants. That way you are warming up the sorroundings and at the same time gives the plants their needed light spectrum for photosynthesis.

Bryan - Sorry about your light. I have a question: Why have you been burning Herbalife pills? LOL

If anyone can give you good information on electricity on this forum it is Benny. They now have Halide and other grow lights on what is called "Light Rail". It moves the lights up and down a track which allows the light to cover up twice as much space for the same cost. Benny, would florescent lights be better for emergency? - Millet

Not to worry-got a new light and all works well. Actually they just replaced the missing capacitor and it's OK.

I hope the leaf loss stops soon! I just swept up about half the leaf canopy of my Trovita off the floor!!! However, the ones still on there don't seem to be falling off.

Millet: Thanks for your compliment but I am not really an expert on how to apply lights to your plants. I did not study them or looked from the books and what I know now is based only from my own experience although of course I am an electrician by trade. I think Joe is more knowledgeable based on his input before.
Anyway, I just came from Las Vegas and my kids did really good. They've got 9 medals in all. And mind you, this is world wide competition. I'd pose the pics soon on my website. Their teachers in their schools are very excited also, specially their Physics teacher. And they will be in their yearbook (they said). Many countries competed from small contries like Nepal and Macedonia to the big countries like Russia and South Africa. Even the Saudis were there. Sorry I am off topic again.
In answer to your question: Flourescent lights give less heat than incandescent so to me they are less efficient but then they give more light for your money. As for its usefulness based on photosynthetic use by the plant I really don't know which one is better.
I prefer to choose incandecent lamp because for the same reason as above. Specially if your plants are planted outdoors.

Fluorescent lights have much more light per watt than incandescent, and HID's even more still.

Fluorescent is also the closest to natural sunlight.
HOOOORAY BENNY! You must be so very proud. You & your wife did something right in raising your kids.
Hairmetal, no one seems to know which is best lite for plants--there are so many. 2 yrs ago I bought one of those 2 lamp halogen work lite --500 watts each. On sale for about $30.00. They fizzeled out after few months. Where the bulbs connected the ends fried & pieces fell out. Called Co.(under warranty) & she said they are only meant to be on no more than hour or two. Never said that in warranty or directions. How frustrating.
I agree with Benny, when the lite fried--just a reg lite bulb woulda helped. Good luck.

Bryan - If you go with flourescent lighting, choose FULL SPECTRUM bulbs. But. . . I have done extensive experimenting on the use of flourescent lighting (to promote growth) and the results were disappointing. In fact, we saw no more average growth in any of our experiments, whether it was supplemental lighting or 24-hour periods. For the record, our experiments primarily involved Calamondin (C. mitis). For growth, you are better off using what the pros use: MHD lighting. However, if you have a choice between darkness and flourescent lights, use the full spectrum bulbs.
By the way Benny, congratulations to you, your wife, and children. It is always nice to hear good news about children. It's even nicer to know that there are parents out there who are willing to go to the ends of the earth for their kids. I have a den leader spot in my Cub Scout pack if you'd like to fill it. I'll even pay your registration fee. Take care.

Benny, as you know I was thinking of flying down for a day of gambling and watch your boys at the same time. However, my wife had to have an operation, so I had to stay home and run the microwave. However, SO PROUD OF THE BOYS. - Millet

Patty, AAE and Millet:
I am so sorry I respond so late but Was so busy lately. But anyhow I just printed some of the pictures I took in the Las Vegas tournament.
Please click the link below to see.
Oh, thank you for your kind words. That really touched me. And Millet I understand. I hope your wife is OK now.
And just last Saturday all of them took the black belt exam in San Jose and I tell you they were on a league of their own. During the exam noone can defeat them on komite (fighting). I made friends with lots of parents complementing my kids. I hope I am not boasting too much.
I am also going to post my newest pictures of my citrus.
AAE: Thanks for your very nice compliments and you are doing such a noble deed helping other kids and thanks for the invitation but I am not really a good leader.

Here is a link that might be useful: Las Vegas World Karate Tournamnet

try it again

Here is a link that might be useful: Under Citrus but karate tournament

I am off for a while.