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Growing under Lights

Lighting Indoor Jade Plant in Winter

8 years ago

I've had a jade plant for a year and a half and it has been doing really well. Last winter, after I first got it, I just left it in the window during the day and would pull it out at night, as the outdoor temperature got to 30F or lower. It survived okay, but I was wondering this year if I should look into artificial light to keep it warmer/brighter during the day. Is that necessary with jade or will it be fine on its own? Are there any recommended lights/bulbs to buy? Should I slowly acclimate it to the artificial light? Any help is appreciated!

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Comments (8)

ewwmayo
8 years ago
If your jade goes below freezing, it may get damaged.

How much artificial light you get is up to you and your growing goals. If your new light is quite bright and your jade currently in low light, I would recommend slowly acclimating it.

Many options, depending on how many plants you have and how big they are. T5HO, CFL, and LED are probably all good options for you.
kmhughes55
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks. I forgot to mention that I live in Utah, where we have inversion (aka very cloudy) for most of the winter, so the plant is going to go from about 10 hours of sunlight in the summer to maybe 4 in the winter. Right now I just have a jade plant (probably 8- 10" in diameter) and a small cactus that I will want to be under the light. I've read that the T5HO, in either 6500K or 3000K, depending on if you want to flower or maintain, are good options.
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I used a super dilute mix, and truly it is hard to avoid the soil entirely no matter what. Others may chime in with their experiences, but mine are such that I didnt have many problems. A couple of my Hoya got some weird spots on leaves, and my aeonium really didnt seem to like it when sprayed on the leaves. Granted, the Aeonium came with a raging infestation I didnt spot until I got home and I ended up tossing the plant eventually. Jade was fine. Really, wouldnt hit the soil unless it was a concern the bugs where in there... the lady at the nursery/garden center I bought the other spray from told me to hit the soil too with the stuff, but I dont know. No insecticide is particularly great for the plant, its all about damage control. Also, when I water I nearly always water until water drains through the pots, which probably helps. My experience is they come in waves, and by the time you have knocked them back a couple times its pretty well over. I do watch like a hawk for these things, probably more so than is necessary... but I hate these things in the ways that people hate differing political opinions. Edit: I like your approach Becky. May have to try that... with loose soil mixes upside down doesnt always work, but makes good sense and I may try that in the future.
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ewwmayo
8 years ago
Get 6500k if you go T5HO, flowering vs. maintaining does not really apply to succulents unless you go really extreme on the ratio of red to blue light. This is based on scientific study (I can hunt for my source if you don't believe me). There is far too much misinformation on grow lights and plants.

I am 'flowering and maintaining' many succulents under my lights. Right now, here is what is budding/blooming for me: 2x Haworthia, 1x Echeveria, 1x Huernia, 1x Faucaria, 1x Aloe, 2x Lithops, 1x Lapidaria, 1x Neohenricia.

You might find this thread helpful, I've linked other threads in there with lots of good information as well.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/3414424/can-i-see-your-winter-setup?n=18

This is my Neohenricia sibbettii, which currently has over 7 flowers. =)
kmhughes55
Original Author
8 years ago
Awesome, thanks for the advice!
jeremeyi
8 years ago
how far away are you keeping the light from the plants?
ewwmayo
8 years ago
Jeremy - My lights are 2-3 inches away.
rusty_blackhaw
8 years ago
I don't think jade plants need that much light when they're semidormant over the winter.

I have a large specimen of "Gollum" that gets about half-day sun during its summer vacations outdoors. It has done fine indoors at 65 degrees either getting peripheral light from basement fluorescent light banks, or (currently) in my office at work, a couple feet below a four-tube overhead fixture.

Of course, it you want year-round expansive growth, both good light and warmth would be needed.
ewwmayo
8 years ago
Jades actually should be winter growers? Mine have all really picked up over the last few months and are growing quite well now.

Agreed that if you want good growth, good light will be required with a bit of warmth. Mine are grown between 18-30C indoors right now.

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