I'm inclined to purchase a growing light for the plants i already own: mammilias, echeveria, semperviums, dracaenas, ferocacti, and noto cacatus. Any input would be appreciated. my basement is sub - ground, and the only window is facing north. my partner says window light is enough, but i disagree.. Opinions? Now, are there ANY cacti that require less light? Suitable for the conditions we are in?
None. Even the epiphytic species and hybrids require good light to grow well. All the ones you list require good light to do well. Would suggest you look into getting an artificial light setup for growing your plants.
Not only is what Steve is saying is true, you may read about cacti and succulents that do well in shade, but that is shade outside, which is far brighter than what a north window can provide. In Surrey, you should consider that your plants will do best being outside for the summer.
I went to home depot to buy some lighting for the cacti/ succulents. They have a few options, but my books just say "grow light". No descriptions are given as to what KIND of light. At Home Depot, there are 3 kinds of light bulbs available . 1. Aquatic light for plants and fish. comes in a 2 ft or 4ft tube, and fits a housing requiring two tubes. The tubes are 20 watts, and 40 watts, respectively. (home depot only has all parts needed for the 4 foot set up). 2. Something called a "green" bulb to "help plants grow". comes in a single 75 watt bulb, and will fit almost any lamp. 3. same as above, but comes in single bulb, 150 watts. housing for this bulb is available to purchase. Will any of these help? Is there a certain amount of wattage that is too little or too much? My plan today is to go to fish world, but I already know by calling that there are more types of bulbs available, including UV lighting. I thought this would be good (acting like the sun) , however shopgirl said that it is used to "sterilize tank and kill algae". I wonder if that would kill cacti as well? Input on beneficial types of bulbs would help me a lot. I would hate for these cacti to die or be stunted due to lack of light!
A really common set up is a 4' (or 2') fluorescent fixture with 1 warm white and 1 cool white bulbs run 12-16 hours a day. The warm bulb emits an orangeish light, the cool bulb appears blueish. This will help your plants survive if they can be within 6" of the lights. I know of one woman in Minnesota who grows all her succulents under lights except in the summer. We are talking 8-10 racks with fixtures on 2 levels. The aquatic or plant lights are marginally better than the warm/cold setup, but much more costly. I don't use them. Another way would be to go to your local Halide shop and buy what size you are willing. You can get halide bulbs down to 250w if not below, and the bulb can be a distance from the plants. The fixtures emit a very bright light which keep most plants very happy even as the sole source of lighting. The bigger bulbs 750/1000w, plants that are too close may get sunburned. I once found a halide shop lamp for cheap, it was made of 2 smaller bulbs. I wanted to try it with plants for an extended period but never pulled it off. It looks promising however. Incandescent plant lights are not very helpful. Some people claim they work, but only as supplemental lighting. I think of them as more things that are sold to make money, not to provide a service to the people who want it. There is an enormous amount of information on the web with prices and such so you can figure out what you want to pay for and what will work for you.
12 - 16 hours a day? Okay, I'll give 'er a shot! Way more costly!! I couldn't afford them. Holy!! I think I should look into a career as a researcher, I did pretty well sifting through an incredible amount of info. I found that the Blue and Red light needed by cacti could be found in the fluorescent "full spectrum" tubes. Yes, the Perfect ones would be found at fishstore, but the tubes ran upwards of $53.00 each here in surrey. I found the closest match (I hope), at Home Depot. "Natural Sunshine" made by Phillips for $9.00 per pack of two 4' tubes. Full spectrum, color temperature (K's) of 5, 000, meant to simulate the amount of light given off by the sun at the equator. (HD only carries Phillips, Canadian Tire only carries GE" ) Phillips, GE, Sylvania, and Dura-Test all have Tubes acceptable for growing cacti. Each marketed under a different name. Including the 4' fixture needed to hold the light tubes, I paid around $30.00. So as close as 6 inches under the light, and up to 16 hours per day? I'll let you know how it turns out!
But hey, a pack of warm white and a pack of cool white would give you two of each for about $6. and the same overall spectrum. Its been used for years by those of us cheapskates.
Oh sure, now you tell me! I'll remember that one, lol! Okay, so I tend to get a little anxious when I don't know what I'm doing. And being this way leads me to my next question. Along with light requirements, I've read cacti need HEAT requirements as well. Should I continue to put the cacti outside during the warmer sunny days here in surrey? If I don't, will the steady inside temperature affect the blooming next year negatively?