Best overhead light bulb to use?

Discuss repotting, soil, lighting, fertilizing, watering, etc. in this category.
Post Reply
keithp2012
Posts: 312
Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:26 pm

Best overhead light bulb to use?

Post by keithp2012 »

I’ve been using this 2 foot aquarium light in my fixture above, is there anything better I could switch it with? https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/0 ... gK6pfD_BwE
DaveW
Posts: 7376
Joined: Thu Dec 20, 2012 2:36 pm
Location: Nottingham, England/UK

Re: Best overhead light bulb to use?

Post by DaveW »

I don't use artificial light for cacti and know the daily duration needed so no doubt others who do will advise, but there is an article on this on Cactiguide:-

https://cactiguide.com/article/?article=article17.php

See also:-

https://cactus-info.com/artificial_light

https://unusualseeds.net/a-comprehensiv ... ucculents/
keithp2012
Posts: 312
Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2014 8:26 pm

Re: Best overhead light bulb to use?

Post by keithp2012 »

20 w wasn’t suggested and was said to be very weak. But my outlet can only handle 20 w so I guess I have no choice.
esp_imaging
Posts: 1503
Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2015 4:27 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Re: Best overhead light bulb to use?

Post by esp_imaging »

DaveW wrote: Sat Sep 19, 2020 10:00 am I don't use artificial light for cacti and know the daily duration needed so no doubt others who do will advise, but there is an article on this on Cactiguide:-

https://cactiguide.com/article/?article=article17.php

See also:-

https://cactus-info.com/artificial_light

https://unusualseeds.net/a-comprehensiv ... ucculents/
Both these articles are useful, up to a point, but LED technology is now much better than it was only a few years ago, so is now a very good (and arguably the best) option.
A small diverse collection of Cacti & Succulents
Based in the UK
http://www.edwardshaw.co.uk/cacti
esp_imaging
Posts: 1503
Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2015 4:27 pm
Location: England
Contact:

Re: Best overhead light bulb to use?

Post by esp_imaging »

keithp2012 wrote: Sat Sep 26, 2020 3:38 am 20 w wasn’t suggested and was said to be very weak. But my outlet can only handle 20 w so I guess I have no choice.
I've just bought some 20W, 2400 lumens LED batten lights in the UK https://www.google.com/search?q=20W%2C+ ... ten+lights, with side reflectors I'd expect they will be OK for about a 1ft x 2ft 6" area of seedlings or, with with a narrower reflector set up, a 2ft line of more mature plants. The light will need to be close to the top of the plants. Light intensity diminishes quickly with increased distance from the source.
A small diverse collection of Cacti & Succulents
Based in the UK
http://www.edwardshaw.co.uk/cacti
User avatar
greenknight
Posts: 4813
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 4:18 am
Location: SW Washington State zone 8b

Re: Best overhead light bulb to use?

Post by greenknight »

LEDs give more light per watt, so if you're limited to only 20 watts that would be your best option.
Spence :mrgreen:
Post Reply