tom_termine

Hi all -

I was going to post this question to the "Indoor" section of the forum, but I wasn't sure how frequently that is visited. I am not trying to rush the season (both me and my trees are enjoying the heat right now!) but I was hoping someone could help with these questions.

I have two HID grow lights hanging in a sunroom that I use when I bring in my trops, subtrops and some pachycaul succulents I grow. Ones is running a 600W Sunmaster Cool Deluxe MH Conversion Bulb, the other a 1000W BT37 Sunmaster Blue Burning Metal Halide Lamp. I ran them last fall - winter - spring for my plants for about 2500 hours overall.

When have these bulbs reached the end of their useful lifespan for these plants? I was thinking about replacement - but do I need to do that yet? If the manufacturer states that they lifespan is 10,000 hours for example, is that number applicable to how useful they will be for plant growth?

Can anyone recommend different brands of Metal Halide light bulbs with which they have had great results for ficus, braz raintree, euro olive, buttonwood, jaboticaba, natal plum, schefflera...etc?

What about the whole blue burning vs. red burning thing? These are both blue burning, as I was told that blue is best for green, compact growth. Now I am seeing some folks swear by Philips ceramic MH bulbs which burn "white"...

Any advice is appreciated.

Tom

__________________
Tom

Advertisement