This following information is more about growing plants, flowering and fruiting, rather than growing seedlings. But, whoÂs to say that what affects plants when they are "full grown" doesnÂt affect them when they are baby seedlings This info is from the "Alaska Gardening Guide, Vol. 1" by Ann Roberts: Much of this info is exact quotes from the book. Most plants are not fussy in their requirements for a light-dark cycle; but there are some long-day plants and some short-day plants. A short-day plant is really a long-night plant. It seems that plants carry out some very important chemical reactions at night, and it they don't have enough uninterrupted darkness to complete these, the whole life cycle may be upset. The most striking effect is the disruption of the flowering process. Some plants that require this dark "night time" include poinsettias and chrysanthemums. Most varieties of soybeans bloom much too late to mature beans in central Alaska. Many, but not all, varieties of squash and cucumbers produce only male flowers during the early part of the summer. Only when the nights lengthen in the fall are the female flowers formed, and by then it is too late to produce mature fruit. A few species of veggies that are short-day plants are eggplant, butternut squash, watermelon and true spinach. Eggplants in the interior, for example, will have their large lavender blossoms will fall off without fruiting if there is too much daylight. Most members of some other species such as beets and lettuce are adversely affected by long days but a few adapted varieties of these have been developed.

I'm also growing orchs, but in quite an enclosed place ('Indoor Greenhouse'). I installed a little fan inside which I just turn on for a short time when it seems to need it, but it never gets a lot cooler in there (~5 F.) o-night (no fan on) and the plants seem to be fine. I worried at first about it, but I think they've adapted pretty well... I have Dens. and Phals. and Vanda and Miltoniopsis and BLC's and Tillandsias, Broms, kumquats, a banana, etc. The lighting is a specialized kind that came with the g-house, but doesn't put out a lot of its own heat. I can't let it go very cool (below about 68-70) because I also have a betta fish in a 10 gal. tank in there with the roots of a drac. ("Lucky bamboo:) and piece of a peace lily in the water... and the fish needs to be kept warm.

Looks lovely Candy...I can see those carriage lights adding a nice 'glow' to many decorations. I've used them for Jacko O's...and Christmas Wreaths...but as you show, so many other possibilities! TFS jane

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>Welcome to the forums Danny! It is a topic of debate but most agree plants require a period of darkness. Several people I know in the same situation as you black the room out during the day for complete darkness. I use black garbage bags. Let us know how you do and we would love to see pictures SCG from the better side of Canada, BC!!!