insufficient light and Indoor Bonsai
Quick answer
If insufficient light is what's going on with your Indoor Bonsai, the most likely cause is: Fluorescent light intensity diminishes rapidly with distance; plants placed too far from tubes receive insufficient light for photosynthesis
Start here:
- 1. Position tops of plants no more than 4-6 inches from fluorescent tubes for maximum growth
- 2. Use 18-inch tubes as basic unit — light intensity diminishes at tube ends, making longer tubes more efficient
Why insufficient light happens to Indoor Bonsai
Fluorescent light intensity diminishes rapidly with distance; plants placed too far from tubes receive insufficient light for photosynthesis
How to correct insufficient light on Indoor Bonsai
- 1
Position tops of plants no more than 4-6 inches from fluorescent tubes for maximum growth
- 2
Use 18-inch tubes as basic unit — light intensity diminishes at tube ends, making longer tubes more efficient
- 3
Provide 16-18 hours of artificial light per day using appliance timers
- 4
For tropical rainforest plants (Ficus, Schefflera): 700-1000 Lux is sufficient; for subtropical species: 2000-5000 Lux; for Mediterranean species: up to 10,000 Lux
- 5
Use 'warm' fluorescent light color (light yellow) for single lamp setups; combine 'daylight' and 'warm' for two-lamp setups
- 6
Replace fluorescent lamps every 6 months as power diminishes after this period
Keep insufficient light from repeating on this Indoor Bonsai
Keep all plant parts within 12 inches of fluorescent tubes; replace tubes annually as output decreases with age