Artificial Lighting

[blotto]

I have been thinking about experimenting again with growing some different palms indoors. I have done this in the past an had some pretty good success with some palms and bad luck with others. Some palms like queens and washingtonias just seem to need maximum sun light. Indoors they get real thin leaved and almost sickly or weak looking. Has anyone here experimented with artificial lighting, like plant lights or UV lights? Do they work? The room I have available to work with has a north facing window so it will get some light, but no direct sun light. I'm curious to know what you all have done.

Thanks!

Blotto

[Kim]

If you must grow palms indoors, with only weak light from a northern window, stick to understory palms that like shade.  You'll be looking for Chamaedorea species such as metallicas and tepejilotes that would wilt in the sun.  A challenge for you will be keeping them pest free, spider mites, etc.  As far as the UV lights, I have no direct experience, but no sun-loving palm is going to thrive in those conditions, and to even approach an acceptable minimum would burn up your budget in electricity, at least that's my estimate.

[mike453]

I use metal halides and they work well. Where do you live?

                     Mike

[blotto]

I just moved to DC from Chicago. I wanted to go further south...like Florida, but personal reasons bring me here. I was excited to see that I jumped up 2 hardiness zones. I have heard of some people having some success growing the real cold hardy palms in this area...although I have not actually seen it myself. Anyway, I am also going to be running an experiment this winter to see if I can keep some of the more cold hardy palms outside. I have a couple of Iranian Mazeri palms, 2 Sable louisianas and a Trachy. They are all real small right now so I can cover them (or bring them inside) until they get bigger, but we'll see how long I can keep them going.

As for the mites...I hate them. But I bought some mite-cide and it seems to help out a lot.

Blotto

[Neofolis]

I would have to agree that Metal Hallide is the only way to go for sun loving, foliage plants.  That said, if it is required year round indoors, I would be more inclined to choose alternative species.  Most sun loving palms will grow reasonably quickly and will outgrow interior space within a few years, if they are receiving sufficient light.  Unless you have an area with vaulted or very high ceilings, I would look for smaller species, which tend to be understorey and thus require less light anyway.  Some supplemental light may still be required, but this can be achieved with cheaper to run lighting, like fluorescents.

[PalmGuyWC]

For the past several years I've been bringing some of my smaller, but valueable, Rhapis inside and putting them under an ordinary fluorescent kitchen counter light. They are placed very close to the lights and I was amazed at how well they grew, and in the winter time too.  I give them about 14 hours of light a day. When the season warms up I move them back outside under a lathe covering. Winter night time temps. around 60F and daytime around 70F., and little or no fertilizer.

I purchased some grow-lux bulbs with a better light spectrum and they grew even better. Rhapis do great inside with proper light and they are a manageable size.

Dick

[merrill]

I want to force blooms on a  P. reclinata in a somewhat shaded greenhouse.  My impression is that sodium lamps enhance blossoming better than metal halide, but the plant shape isn't as good as for metal halide.  Has anyone out there compared the two?  Thanks, merrill

[ghar41]

(blotto @ Jun. 22 2007,23:02)

QUOTE

The room I have available to work with has a north facing window so it will get some light, but no direct sun light. I'm curious to know what you all have done.

Thanks!

Blotto

I have tried some different palms, in different light situations, in my house over the years.  The only palm I'll grow inside is Howea forsteriana.  

My indoor H. f looks way better than the ones ive tried outside.  As much as they dislike the hot, windy conditions outside; it loves the 78 F calm conditions inside.  When mine gets thirsty (and I forget to water it all the time!), instead of the leaves drying out (and looking bad) the long petioles sag to let me know.  It's an old standby, but truly a great indoor palm!  

I have moved mine a few times over the years.  Although it looked great while in a very low light North window position, mine produces new spears ONLY while in an East window or, as shown in the picture,  in it's current South window position.

Oh..also it doesn't mind being covered with dust!