Question
My question is: I just started my african violet growing hobby in a window that gets light from early morning and thru the day but "not direct sunlight".No curtains. I bought something called grow lights..2 fluoresent tubes that only suspend 2-4 inches above the plant.They are adjustable up to 4 inche high above the plants.Will this be suitable? If so,how long should i leave them on? If you don't think i should have these lights i'll return them..thank you for your advice and time.

Answer
Janice,
I have been growing violets for most of my adult life, and have never used fluorescent lights.  I just never invested in them.  I have always found that natural sunlight did fine for me.  Professional growers use fluorescent lights.  If I'm not mistaken, I believe they leave them on 24-7.  I could be wrong.  These kind of lights are supposed to contain every spectrum of light necessary for violets, and are ideal.  With fluorescents you know that they will never get too much/too little light.  If you have room for them and can afford the upkeep I think it is ideal.  You asked me about natural sunlight, so I will answer you.  An eastern or southeastern exposure is the best.  Violets can be kept near a window and receive filtered light as if through a sheer curtain.  In early summer they will need to be moved back a bit, because the eastern sun becomes too strong, but the rest of the year this exposure is perfect.  An example is my collection of violets.  I have 12 plants right now, and all but 2 are blooming right now.  In about 2-3 weeks I will be moving them back so the leaves cannot be burned or bleached by the sunlight.

Without sounding redundant, I hope I have helped you.  If you can afford the upkeep of fluorescence, it will be ideal for your African violets.  Even though it appears more "white" then yellow, they contain a fuller spectrum than sunlight, and for plants such as violets this is ideal for their growth and blooming.  I cannot advise you properly on distance, but your lights should have come packaged with some type of information which speaks to that.  Along with perfect  lighting, make sure you keep your violets moist at all times, but not wet.  You will be well on your way to some beautifully grown violets.  Good luck.