Light adaptation

[Ross]

Steve, I totally agree with every point! Bright light really seems to help blooming even with traditionally low-light plants. But I can't resist my pitch - "Bright light at 45 degrees latitude is not the same as "bright light" near the equator. Be careful. A good light meter is the only tool we can use to compare situations.

[Royal]

My light meter is not a good one, just the cheap one. But, I measure ~ 5000 - 6000 fc in my winter indoor grow area under a 400w HPS. I have mostly Catt alliance plants and they all seem to be going nuts. Many are spiking, I even have seedlings and a flask or two on the bench. They all seem fine, but it stays pretty cool in there. I was really worried, but it's been about 4 weeks so I think I'm in the clear.

[Becky15349]

Originally Posted by Aceetobe

There is a component of heat involved.

I have several zygos, and I've had them out in full full sun all day for a couple years. They are fine, grow well, bloom a lot. Once the temperature jumps they get burned though.

As long as the leaf temp doesn't get too hot, most plants can take a lot of light - as long as you slowly adapt them. You really have to watch the watering and humidity in the high light situation because they dry out super quick. Another thing to pay attention to is the root temperature. Clear pots plus direct sun is lethal.

I completely agree with this - and I learned all these lethal things the hard way This summer I moved to an apartment with south-facing windows, and they are all doing ok...I haven't lost any, but some are having a hard time. They do better when the humidity is higher, they can dry out quickly, and when they have a fan on them to keep the leaves from burning.

[isurus79]

Originally Posted by Ross

Bright light at 45 degrees latitude is not the same as "bright light near the equator. Be careful. A good light meter is the only tool we can use to compare situations.

Makes good sense to me!!!