Tricia, Asa far as the light meter is one called "Three Way", found it at Hope Depot and it also measures Ph and moisture. I am not sure how accurate it is, but when I put it under the Walmart tube, even very close/glued to the tube, it will not go above 200 ftcandles to save its life. I went outside (on a relativelty cloudy day) and it went well above 500 ftcandles. Then I placed it under the CFL spiral bulb in my decorative lamp and it doesn't register much here either (maybe 300 or so). Then I placed it under a led light under my kitchen cabinet and it went close to 1000. For whatever reason, this light meter will not register much at all under the Walmart grow light (the 10-11 dollar one) and not even the CFL bulb. Yet, I think the plants I've b een keeping under the CFL bulb are starting to show some signs of scorched leaves...so maybe the meter doesn't register flurorescent light that well. Yet I know many people praise the WM growlight and say they have gotten great results with it. I will just have to go by experience.

Carmen, About fertilizers-labels such as 'Orchid food' 'Tomato food' 'African Violet food' are manufacturers ploys to get you to buy more fertilizer. I raise both orchids and violets and I use the same fertilizer on both as well as on my outdoor flowering plants. All fertilizers will have three numbers on the bag, such as 10-10-10 or 0-10-0. The first number stands for nitrogen which is important for leaf growth. The second is phosphorous which is mainly for flower production and root health. The third is potassium which is used by the plant for disease control and, to a lesser extent, root health. When you buy fertilizer, do not look at the label; look at the numbers. For flowering plants, get a fertilizer with a higher middle number. (I use a 10-10-10 for rooting leaves as there is no need for high potassium in a non-flowering leaf). That said, for violets, stay away from anything with urea in it as it will burn the roots. It will be stated in the analysis chart on the bag. After you have some practice growing, you can start experimenting with different number combos to see which works best for your growing conditions. Linda

Good for you, I would do the same! I never heard of such a huge leaf until you sent me Willodene. Then I got several vintage violets and Cajun's that have huge leaves. Nothing like Willodene but ample. The big leaves are very shiny, not the usual dull gray olive green. More of a bright green color. I found another huge Mama leaf in another leaf pot today. My club member who alerted me said that if the Mama leaf is not trimmed, it will produce one big fat Mama leaf and one big fat Baby. But if it is trimmed and the leaf stem exposed more, and dusted with rooting hormone, it will produce several babies. My club members always use rooting hormone. I think someone said the AVSA doesn't recommend it. But in actual practice, people seem to use it. It is just easier to make it part of the routine rather than using it one time and not another. Joanne

If you want a new decorative fixture, it will be part of the 2nd floor decor, so I'd go with Sina's selection. Otherwise, install a recessed wall washer to highlight a piece of art on the wall that has no light switch. Remember, it will be a feature of the 2nd floor living space.