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Post by jdallas on Apr 30, 2011 16:54:30 GMT
Hi Franky,
I've personally used these lights in the past (even sold them for a short time), but like others have said, they are just not bright enough. They work alright for more shade tolerant species such as Mexican butterworts and Drosera adelae, but are useless for full sun plants like flytraps and Sarracenia. It's also hard to find replacement bulbs for them, and they loose all of their timer settings every time you have a blink in the power. I like their design, so I talked to the company about creating a unit with a stronger light, but they had no interest. They sell it for what it is, a cutesie little light to have an African violet under, and I'm not sure it's even bright enough for them.
Also, as some others have mentioned, there should be no reason in New Hampshire that you couldn't winter-over Venus flytraps in a windowsill. Since your winters are very cold, a windowsill will get down in the 40's, and combined with the natural decrease in photoperiod, your plants should go dormant just fine. Be sure to keep them just barely damp during dormancy (don't let them dry out however) and a fungicide spray would really help to prevent mold problems.
Jeff
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Post by Franky on May 2, 2011 12:11:17 GMT
Hi Franky, I've personally used these lights in the past (even sold them for a short time), but like others have said, they are just not bright enough. They work alright for more shade tolerant species such as Mexican butterworts and Drosera adelae, but are useless for full sun plants like flytraps and Sarracenia. It's also hard to find replacement bulbs for them, and they loose all of their timer settings every time you have a blink in the power. I like their design, so I talked to the company about creating a unit with a stronger light, but they had no interest. They sell it for what it is, a cutesie little light to have an African violet under, and I'm not sure it's even bright enough for them. Also, as some others have mentioned, there should be no reason in New Hampshire that you couldn't winter-over Venus flytraps in a windowsill. Since your winters are very cold, a windowsill will get down in the 40's, and combined with the natural decrease in photoperiod, your plants should go dormant just fine. Be sure to keep them just barely damp during dormancy (don't let them dry out however) and a fungicide spray would really help to prevent mold problems. Jeff I have now decided to not get that light that I was talking about. Thanks so much the advice about it! I will probably try doing the windowsill dormancy like you suggested.
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