Question
Hello,

I have just received a lighted two-tier plant stand.  I can only put in two 20 watt fluorescent lights on each tier.

I am growing a Drosera Binata, several tropical sundews and a Sarracenia wrigleyana.  I have placed all of them within 3 to 4 inches of the lights.

Will this give the plants enough light to flourish.  I do not have any windows with enough light for them to grow, and I live in a heavily wooded area, so I cannot grow them out of doors.

If this is not enough light, please give me your suggestions.

Thank you,

Rebecca

Answer
Hi Rebecca,

With both of these species, you'll need to replicate full sun conditions.  Full sun is 10,000 lumens of light intensity.  Two 20-watt fluorescent lights give off about 2,000 - 2,400 lumens (at a distance of 12 inches).  This is equivalent to partial shade.  You can move the lights closer, to 6 inches from the soil line, but eventually the plants will outgrow the set up.

If you can create a set up where you can use two 40-watt tubes with the lights about 8 inches above the plants, your plants would be much happier.

Otherwise, you may want to give the plants to a friend who have the proper growing conditions and grow plants that are best suited for your set up.  You'll have a much easier time growing them.  These plants would include:

* Nepenthes
* Drosera adelae
* Pinguicula moranensis

You may need to adjust the distance of the plants to the light source to increase the light intensity, but these plants don't need it as intense as the ones you currently have.

For more information about plants that would grow well under artificial lights, visit our main website and use the "Best Plants For You" feature.  Answer a few short questions and you'll get a list of plants best suited for your home.

http://www.cobraplant.com

Good growing!
Jacob Farin