Anyone use these to supplement light indoors?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014FCV98A/

I have a three tier macrame hanger I could just hang a strip on each rope. Hiding the cord would be a pita, doesn't use much power.

I'd pass. LEDs are just not bright and too expensive so far. Gene

aw now, are you sure you don't want to 'stipulate' their photosynthesis like the a=description says?

Like it or not, LED's are the lights of the future because they are so long-lasting and energy efficient. They are also infinitely flexible in spectral quality , i.e. the color they produce. The prices of LED's have dropped dramatically recently and are increasingly available. (No, I have no financial stake in LED technology, but I do have a professional interest in light options for indoor plant use.)

Here is a link to an excellent scientific source of information about using LED's for indoor plants:

http://www.designingwithleds.c...

I choose a poor example to link. There area bunch of different options on Amazon, low heat and minimal power are a big plus. I have used the led strips in custom computers but these "grow' led's are new to me. I was thinking I could hang plants in a dark corner and tie some led's to the basket.

But are they bright enough? Gene

well Steve, you sound like a good candidate to trial that

sallyg said:well Steve, you sound like a good candidate to trial that

As usual I've have gone over the top collecting different plants. I have lots of room the hang them just not a lot of light. I'll keep researching these led strips and well let the forum know how it works out.

I run 21 fixtures of T5 HO lights in the winter. My plants love them. Gene

OK, I ordered this kit.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014FCV98A/

You get a 60 watt power supply, 5 led strips, 5 watts each and the cabling to connect everything. This seller also has a 5 strip kit so you can more lighting.

I attached the lights under the top shelf of my plant stand, that puts them 18" above the next shelf that has a dozen spider plant starts in 4" pots. I'm about 4" to 8" from the foliage. I'll post some pics soon. I need to dig out a timer and set these up for about 18 on 6 off.

Each strip 20 red and 5 blue LED's in a 5-1 arrangement. Plugs on each end allows you to daisy chain them. Very little heat, slightly warm to the touch after several hours on.

You say the lights are 4-8" from the tops of the plants? Put something (upside down empty pots work) under the plants to raise them. Light falls off as the square of the distance. A plant 1" from a light gets X amount of light, 2" away = X/4, 3" = X/9. Big difference! Gene

Great idea, thanks Gene.

For anyone following this I have 4 led strips mounted above a shelf on the plant stand, 20 watts of led power. I have spider plant starts under these lights, I also have spider starts on the shelf above that gets more natural light but no led light. The spiders under the led exploded in growth in the past 4-5 days and are close to double the size of the plants without led light. These spiders are in 4" pots, planted middle of May and I have roots growing out the bottom of the pots already.

I'm going to order two more sets and add lighting to my Davallia collection.

Do not be too quick to judge. New growth might have been on the way already before the lights, or due to other factors. Not trying to rain on your parade just suggesting slow movement and caution. Gene

Agreed, I see some natural grow rate difference between varieties. I'm doubled up on four varieties, half in led light and half natural light, the led plants are showing a higher rate of growth.

I replanted four of these plants and I'm really surprised at the root growth, 4" pots with roots out the bottom and covering the sides in 5 weeks. I didn't expect to see that.

oh, now I am going to want lights, I already want a heater for cuttings. . You guys are such a bad influence. Very informative. Thank you all!

Laurie, I searched several sellers and found these to be the best bang for the buck.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/5Pcs-2...

5 strips and the power supply. The PS can handle 6 strips and bag of 5 strips is under $10 without PS.

So far I'm very happy with the growth I'm getting under these lights. Very little heat, a few degrees above room temp. While not rated as water proof I have no problem when misting the plants.