Since some of the pests that attack houseplants are so tiny and hard to detect until they actually become full fledged infestations, I keep a bottle of Schultz's 3-in-1 spray handy. It combats almost everything that can attack my plants. It's an insecticide/miticide/fungicide all in one application. Outdoors, I try to do everything as organically as I can, except for dealing with the mole problem we have... but inside, I don't want to waste time trying things that might or might not work. I reach for the tried and true chemicals when it comes to the health of my containerized plant collection.

Hello again, Here is my opinion which in no way should be construed as "THE" last word on the subject, others may see things differently. Growlites have a wide spectrum of light which normally would make them a better choice. Their efficiency also depend on their number, their model number, the company that makes them, etc. The newer models on the market are much better than the older models. Still, they cost a small fortune. The known problem with this kind of light is that even though they have a very good spectrum, their intensity is usually not enough unless you gang them up. Intensity is often better than a better spectrum. For instance, the cool white fluorescent costs ten times less than Growlites, but they have much more intensity, and their spectrum is not that bad either. From all points of view, they should be prefered over "special lights" like Growlites in my opinion. What's more, 2' long is very short. A fluorescent light gives more light at its center than at its ends, with 2' long, I would say you get around 1-1.5' of useful light. Seedlings light's needs are not as high as for mature plants, to some degree, but they should be at no more than 4-6" from the lights; 14 hours a day is a good choice. Your window seems to be a very good window! Provided that there are no shades, blinds or curtain to cut the light off, I would say it would be a much better choice, to me anyway, when compared to your light set-up. Sun is one thing, light is something else even if it comes from the sun. I may be wrong, but your window, even if it doesn't get full sun must nevertheless be very bright. May I suggest something? Can you put your light cart in your window? You would get the best of both worlds: bright daylight and fluorescent to extend the day? If you could change your tubes to cool white, it would be even better (if your Growlites are more than 3 years old they would need to be changed anyway). This would also allow your hippies to grow year round untill they don't fit under your lights anymore and may be have them bloom sooner. Good luck to you!!! Laurier

Rina, It was over fed when it was really young, had been three times this size but all branches were very lanky and limp, attempted braiding them but lost 2 to previous over watering, this was probably around 2008. It since suffered a lot of leaf loss due to dwelling in a high traffic zone with a careless roommate who also introduced mealy bugs to it just before it was relocated in April. The plant lost some additional leaves to that battle, thanks to alcohol swabs and constant diligence there has been no recurrence over the past 2 months. I was happily surprised to see leaf buds on the balding branches, are there techniques to further promote this? I wish I had more space to work on maintaining my plants over the past 7yrs but I did not, so now I get to try to revive them... Honestly this is the only surviver who needs rehab, my aloe just needed its spawn relocated and soil replenished, my Christmas cactus which is almost older than me has always been full but looks happier every day, and a previously barren stump of a Plumeria has new branches loaded with leaves as wide as my hand and long as my forearm. I always wished this Jade had a thicker trunk but never would have dreamed of such an extreme cut back. It is in very well draining soil, has been happily self propogating, the branches are sturdy yet resiliant now. I have always enjoyed its unusual contorted branching, though it makes transportation difficult and rotation for sun exposure challenging for sure. I have every intention of following Al's advice for getting and keeping my flora at its happiest and healthiest- great advice! EZ, Thanks, it used to be an auto dealership in a bygone era.. I am currently sitting in an automobile sized elevator that is now my personal studio space for all things artsy, craftsy or otherwise in need of mcguivering.. wood panel walls, corregated steel floors. Repotting while standing at a table and having easy access to an industrial prep sink in a mostly bug free, climate controlled environment has me not missing the backaches associated with outdoor gardening. .. Maybe one of these days the only pest I'll have to worry about will be the large orange furry variety, we call ours Dr OJ Irving, Julius for short, he too is over fed and lanky.

My plants all sit on a table that's right in front of two big windows, I have some supplemental lights on the table, especially for those that need the most light like some of my echeveria. I do have a few on the windowsill. I am ever so slightly concerned about the cool temps in the winter here, even though it doesn't get super cold just because my room is the coldest in the apartment in the winter (and the hottest in the summer). Seeing what other people have said though, it sounds like mine should be okay (it's my first winter with succulents). Without the supplemental lights, some of mine would definitely be getting etiolated as evidenced by the times before I had the lights and the fact several have started to stretch when too far from it. As the sun has shifted inthe fall I get a little less direct light to my room. There is a post somewhere on this site where I posted my setup.