Question
We have live in this apt for 27yrs.It has northern light which the orchids like and are not my concern.The succulents and cacti that inhabit the southern and western windows are huge, healthy,and have many strong shoots and babies.These are my concern because we are moving to an apt. which is on the 2nd floor so the sun that does make it into the northern exposure windows does not shine with the same intensity or duration. There is 1 small double window that faces south and north and another that faces north and east! Plant lights,mirrors what should it do?!!! please help!It can't be a lost cause can it?  

Answer
Geri,

You are moving at a good time, your plants are preparing for less light due to the fall and winter shorter day cycle. First I would reccomend not using any window treatments on the plant windows. Mirrors under the plants to reflect the light back into the plants may help. If you decide to use plant lights it should be flourescent lights and they should hang about a foot above the top of the plants. The closer to the plants the more lumens the plants get and the healthier they will be. The lights should be on at least 14-16 hours a day. You can use a timer to turn the lights on and off or you can turn them on when you get up and off when you go to bed. I do this with 2 sets of flourescents and find they do not have a noticeable effect on my electric bill. It may not be as bad as you think it is going to be. Good luck.

Darlene