I'll answer the questions I can, Goren. "put our plants in jeopardy by placing them where direct air movement from open doors, windows, furnace registers....etc....can cause soil temperature to change abruptly;" Gentle movement from a ceiling fan is not in the same category and has no effect on temps except to make them more even (from top to bottom in a room.) "possibly drying out the soil faster" Rhizo mentioned this as a factor of why a greenhouse operation would increase air movement. Drying fast is good, though a ceiling fan is a much less brisk blast of wind than the big fans I've seen in greenhouses, so the drying effect would also be less. "What is the intent?" To reduce air stagnation, increase evaporation as mentioned, to provide slight wind resistance so plants aren't so weak/floppy. In my specific case also, so all of the heat isn't collecting in the upper parts of rooms and that it moves evenly through the house. So I have the fan on anyway whenever the windows are not open, even if there are no plants inside. "To say that a plant needs air movement--so spider mites don't land....is just plain silly....they land on plants in the most hidden places and begin to suck their juices." I agree but don't think that was said. What I remember reading above is that a fan could spread them more quickly. "misting the plant" I'm convinced this practice offers far more potential for harm than good. "water spray, then a dust with lime sulfur, dusting sulfur or petroleum oils" I don't get leaves wet while plants are inside, although gentle air movement from a ceiling fan on low would help them dry more quickly if I did, lessening the potential for surface pathogens to cause problems described in the link in the last paragraph. A very brief google of "PH of lime sulfur" leads to the conclusion that I don't want to put this stuff on leaves. I've never heard the advice about petroleum oil on plant leaves before. What would a plant look like covered in dust and oil? IDK but sure I don't want it in my house. Spider mites can be rinsed away in a shower if they are spotted.

FYI, I wrote to ECHO to ask about lubricating the "bushings" I was told this model has. This was the response: "Thank you for your recent e-mail to ECHO Incorporated in regards to your brushcutter/trimmer model SRM-2601. This model features a sealed bearing system which does not require any service". I will take the collective advice and not worry about it. Charles Ranheim

Looks great!!! My home is a relatively small ranch, and window space for plants is VERY limited......but I enjoy what I have!! My kitchen window is a nice southern exposure and that gets most of the plants......including most of the Sans.....but it is limited to small pots which is why I love hahnis and futura types so much. My back door is on the same wall and I have 3 taller Sans by that, though they are on the floor so only get partial sun. A big dining room window is on the north side of the house and gets a couple Sans and Monsteras. it works. I enjoy and I am very thankful for what I do have!! Shana they look very nice and it certainly adds some life to an already nice room. Enjoy them. They will take off next year!!!

one amendment to my previous statement: I just looked it up and it seems that you can run a solartube through a multi story house if there's a closet or mechanical chase that it can be routed through. so if you did want more light w/o turning the lights on, that could still be an option. at the very least, you could bring out a rep for their opinion and a free estimate. white countertops and removing every scrap of window treatment will help. your tile backsplash may help a little bit since it's more reflective than a painted wall. if there's overgrown brush near your window, trimming or clearing that out may help too. but that's about it. since you said you were not for painting cabinets or doing any structural changes, then that's about all you can do. one thing to consider for the future (but again, expensive): swapping where the kitchen and dining room are. for me personally, I'd way rather have a naturally bright kitchen over a bright dining room any day. (plus moving the kitchen location opens the cabinet wall up for bigger windows. win-win.) if you prefer a bright table for morning, you could switch to sitting at the countertop for breakfast in this new bright kitchen.