During this time of the year, especially in Michigan, things can start to get a little gloomy. The holidays are over, we’re back into our routines, and a sunny day is rare. You may have noticed that your plants are looking a bit sad as well. Like us humans, succulents love the light, and a Michigan winter can be tough. But while we might just have to wait until spring, there is a way to get your plants a little extra sunshine. When it comes to grow lights, there are a lot of questions. Many people have heard of the idea of a grow light or grow lamp, but it can be difficult to figure out what exactly they are or why some people use them. Before I answer any other questions, it’s important for you to know that, in most cases, your plants do not need a grow light. As long as they are exposed to some sunlight, even indirectly, they should survive. But, there are enough benefits to having your plants under grow lights that it is worth considering. As I said before, most succulents don’t require a grow light as long as they are near a window. However, if you have an arrangement that you want to enjoy in a basement bedroom or windowless office, a grow light could be a great option. This first use of a grow light is what motivated my climbing gym, Scrapyard Climbing Collective, to buy one. A few months ago I made a unique arrangement for Scrapyard as a gift. I specifically choose low-light plants for this arrangement, knowing that it would be in a location that gets very little light. The arrangement has actually been holding up remarkably well, but the dark winter combined with a nearly windowless room was too much. I was very grateful when Scrapyard’s owner recognized this and decided to purchase a grow light! Now the plant has what it needs to survive, and everyone that visits is able to enjoy it. If your succulent already has the light it needs to survive, a grow light can help it thrive! This is why I decided to purchase grow lights. I knew that my succulents would be able to live through the winter, but I wanted to be able to sell (and enjoy myself) happy, thriving plants all year long. Putting my plants under lights prevents stretching and causes the plants to be more colorful. To see what I mean, take a look at the two pictures below. These pictures show the same succulent arrangement during different time of the year. Both plants are perfectly healthy, but you'll notice that the one on the right is more colorful. oGiving your plants extra light can also cause them to flower. Flowering normally happens in the spring or summer, but grow lights can also trigger it during the winter. Because they are under lights, some of my succulents are in the process of flowering right now! If you want to see their blooms, just wait a few weeks for my February post. This answers the “why” of grow lights, so now it’s time for the “what.” What counts as a grow light? What kinds of grow lights are there? What is the best grow light for me? A “grow light” can be anything that produces useable light for plants. Typically, plants use the blue/red parts of the spectrum, as you see in the picture below. They don’t use very much of the yellow/green parts, because this is what they reflect, making them look green to our eyes. This is why some of the lights you have in your house, for example, incandescents, don’t make very good grow lights. Incandescents also produce a lot of heat, which can be dangerous for your plants. So, what can you use? There are two main options for grow lights: Fluorescents and LEDs. There are a lot of different factors as to why you would choose each one and several kinds of lights within these categories. But, in this post, we’re just covering the basics. Fluorescents produce cool, white light, giving your plants the full spectrum. They are often in tube-like bulbs, but you can get compact fluorescents as well. Also, fluorescents have a high output, meaning that they’re bright and can get warm, although not as warm as incandescents. Unfortunately, because of this, they use more electricity than LEDs and can cost more upfront, depending on what kind you buy. In contrast, LEDs produce a purplish light, targeting just the parts of the spectrum that your plant needs. These colors can also help trigger your plant to flower. LEDs have a lower output, which means that they can use less electricity than fluorescents. However, this also means that they don’t provide as much light, so your plants probably won’t be as colorful. In addition, some people choose not to buy LEDs because their strange color can be hard to look at. As you’ll notice from the pictures at the beginning of my post, I choose to go with fluorescents while Scrapyard bought LEDs. Our lights also differ in their structure. Mine are tubes that attach to the underside of my plant racks, and Scrapyard has a single, clip-on grow light. There are many other lamp styles as well. You can also choose to buy just the grow light bulb, and then use it in any lamp you already have. I know that this has been kind of a lot of information, but I hope that, after reading this, you have a better understanding of grow lights. Remember that grow lights aren’t necessary or even recommended. But, if any of you do decide to purchase one, I would love to hear about it! You can comment on this post, or send a picture to [email protected].
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Common Name: Aloe vera or True Aloe
Scientific Name: Aloe vera or Aloe barbadensis miller Family: Aloe Flowers: Aloe vera will flower, but only when it reaches maturity, at about 4 or 5 years of age. When it does flower, it’s blooms are orange and attached to a stalk that grows out of the center of the plant. Reproduction: Aloe vera reproduces by pups or offshoots, small plants which grow attached to the mother plant. They can be separated and moved to another pot, where they will grow on their own. Common problems: Aloe vera is a very hardy succulent, but watch out for root-rot. Over watering can quickly lead to brown, mushy leaves and death. I have also noticed that some of my Aloe veras that were exposed to very bright sunlight turned and orangey-brown. They were still healthy, but didn’t look as good. Placing them somewhere that got a little less light returned them to their natural green. Megan’s Thoughts: Aloe vera is one of the most well-known succulents and is sold at many garden centers or nurseries. Many people know about it because it has medicinal properties, and so is used in skin care products. However, most people do not know that “aloe” is actually the name of a plant family, not just one plant. Aloe vera is the most famous aloe, but there are over 500 other species. For example, Aloe Striata, Tiger Tooth Aloe, and Red Aloe. I often use Aloe Vera as a “thriller” in my arrangements. Their height and unique shape make the piece interesting and exciting! |
Megan KamperHi! I am the creator of Thrive Living Art! I love to learn about how to help plants thrive, and then combine that knowledge with my creativity to make living art! On my blog, you'll learn more about taking care of succulents and other plants. You'll also find out what Thrive is up to, and where I'll be selling my art next! Buy your creation in person!Archives
December 2020
Are you struggling to keep your plants alive?Get some advice!
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