Growing violets under house lamps......

**vickilynn** · 11-08-2009, 08:43 AM

How is it working for you? what type of bulb do you use? Yesterday I place a pie tin on top of the lamp to reflect the light down = do you thing I'll burn the house down?

I know some people grow under light tubes...but I want my violets out where I can enjoy them and my house doesn't have enough natural light coming in. Which is the way you need it in the hot south!

Need suggestions from others using regular house lamps

thank you

**OOwl** · 11-08-2009, 09:51 AM

I don't have AVs but I do have orchids. I grow them mostly in windows with natural sunlight now; however, in years past I had them under metal halide lighting with excellent results. With plants, it's the color spectrum of the bulb that maters most, then the intensity, then duration.

Walmart sells a neat little grow-light "disposable" light that comes with its own power supply. It's about 24" long and has mounting screws. It's an all-in-one unit. In my area, it's only $9. I have these as supplemental lighting over some planted aquariums I have, and the plants just respond beautifully to this color of light. I would think your AVs would do very well under such a light, and it's inexpensive, as well. Just pick the one that says "grow light."

Good luck!

**frugalfranny** · 11-08-2009, 01:46 PM

Sorry VL.....I am no help as I just have mine on a stand, in a south window, and they bloom their little heads off!

I 'inherited' one a few years ago (a sympathy acceptance!) and the thing is about to run me out of my house with BABIES!!

I use 'lighting' in the spring when I am doing seeds, but it is so ugly you wouldn't want it full time. Just use a grow light (Lowe's and HD, probably WM) with a brooder hood (farm supply). ( an aluminum hood that reflects the light back down) It has a clamp on it so I can place it on my plant stand. Pretty ugly......but I only have it out for about a month.