indoors in Washington State in winter? I have pothos that wish for more light.

Does anyone have success with Succulents and Cacti, thru the Winters in the Pacific NorthWest, indoors? Specifically in Western Washington.

I love love the Echeverias, Agave's and Aloes, the Pachyphytum, gasterias. Is the only real hope to grow these, to keep them confined to the tight confinement 8 inches beneath grow lights. How does one enjoy them, if they are off in a room under lights. Can you have them out 50% of the time??

Any one with experience good or bad. I will appreciate being discouraged if this little dream is doomed to fail. Thanks in advance, all.

Laurie B

I have hundreds that thrive under T5 HO lights in the winter here. All the lights ( I have 21 fixtures) are on timers. About 14 hours a day of light. They enjoy the light, I enjoy them. Remember that light falls off as the square of the distance. A leaf 1" from the light gets X amt. of light. 3" away? X/9 the light. 6" away = X/36. You have seen pix of my succulents. Again - Thrive and often bloom. Gene

I am going to have to check out T5 HO lights, asap. (Checks in the Mail!) The plants are almost all looking vibrant and are even growing right before my eyes. However, as I have created a table for them in front of my sunniest window, I know my available light is just never going to work long term for these amazing and addictive plants.

This weekend was swallowed up by some hard core yard work. I love it, till the next morning.

Thanks Gene. Lights are on my wish list now!

Use upside down empty pots for spacers. Lids from spray paint cans, empty soup cans, etc. Since not all plants are the same height, using spacers under pots will allow you to keep plants near the lights. Easier most of the time than raising and lowering the whole fixture. Reflectors. White walls, matt boards, sheets of white Styrofoam. Surround the shelves/plants on 3 sides with reflectors. I have gotten most of my fixtures off eBay. Watch the S&H. Single 2 foot, double 2 foot, single 4 foot, double 4 foot. 4 foot X 8 tubes is the biggest I have. 6500K. (or anything in the 6000'sK.) Use timers. 13-16 hours a day is best. Gene

All I can add is the use of door mirrors sold for around $4 each. I use them on both sides of the lights. One side with holes on S hooks so I can remove it to look at my plants. I also use an old 55 gallon fish tank. With only one 4 foot twin bulb T5's on top. It is enough for wintering my Sans. collection of smaller plants. Also for Haworthias and most small Aloes.

Thank you Gene, and Stush, that is a nice looking system too. Appreciate it guys!