Grow light for pothos

richkid

Candiru
MFK Member
Dec 1, 2011
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Penn's Woods
I'm aware of the nitrate reduction abilities of pothos. I also know they are a low light plant. Will adding a grow light increase growth and therefore nitrate absorption? Will they adjust faster to being aquatic with stronger lighting? Thanks for all responses and info.
 

mudbuttjones

Fire Eel
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Jul 29, 2014
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The more light the faster they can photosynthesize and absorb nutrients from the water column.

Mine are under a pair of 6500k 10w cfls. They are on 14 hours a day

My only issue is the leaves closest to the light look like they are getting "burned" so less light may not be a bad thing

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tlindsey

Silver Tier VIP
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Aug 6, 2011
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My plant receives indirect sun light from a basement window, but considering an additional light source.
 

richkid

Candiru
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Dec 1, 2011
458
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Penn's Woods
Mine is also in a basment near a window. But its the security glass block type. So the lights filtered. I bought a plant light n have it over top. These r newly added. My last plant didnt do well. Maybe ill turn the light off for a week or so while they become established?

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Drstrangelove

Potamotrygon
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Oct 21, 2012
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Not all plants grow faster with more light as it depends also on available nutrients, the type of plant, the season, the temperature, etc. The studies I've seen on Pothos indicated that 3,500 foot candles was more productive in quantity of vines and weight of the plant than 5,500 ft-c regardless of available nutrients. (See the MREC studies.)

Like medicine, there's an optimal amount, and more is not only not always better, but sometimes is much worse.


http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/Resrpts/rh_91_11.htm
http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/Resrpts/rh_92_16.htm
http://fshs.org/proceedings-o/1990-vol-103/176-178 (REYES).pdf


  • 1,000 - 2,000: bright but indirect sunlight, may not produce a clearly defined shadow, but is good for many types of plants that require indirect sunlight
  • 2,000 - 4,000: About 40% of midday sun, or direct light coming through windows, bright light and appropriate for plants that require good, strong light intensity
  • 4,000 - 5,000: About 50% of midday sun, or strong direct sunlight in a bright room, good for plants with high light requirements
  • 5,000 and up: Very bright indoor light
 

mudbuttjones

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Jul 29, 2014
1,375
58
66
Wisconsin
Not all plants grow faster with more light as it depends also on available nutrients, the type of plant, the season, the temperature, etc. The studies I've seen on Pothos indicated that 3,500 foot candles was more productive in quantity of vines and weight of the plant than 5,500 ft-c regardless of available nutrients. (See the MREC studies.)

Like medicine, there's an optimal amount, and more is not only not always better, but sometimes is much worse.


http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/Resrpts/rh_91_11.htm
http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/Resrpts/rh_92_16.htm
http://fshs.org/proceedings-o/1990-vol-103/176-178 (REYES).pdf



  • 1,000 - 2,000: bright but indirect sunlight, may not produce a clearly defined shadow, but is good for many types of plants that require indirect sunlight
  • 2,000 - 4,000: About 40% of midday sun, or direct light coming through windows, bright light and appropriate for plants that require good, strong light intensity
  • 4,000 - 5,000: About 50% of midday sun, or strong direct sunlight in a bright room, good for plants with high light requirements
  • 5,000 and up: Very bright indoor light
This would explain why some of my leaves look burned. I may step the photo period back a couple hours and go from there. Thankyou.

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tlindsey

Silver Tier VIP
MFK Member
Aug 6, 2011
23,368
24,273
1,660
Ohio
Not all plants grow faster with more light as it depends also on available nutrients, the type of plant, the season, the temperature, etc. The studies I've seen on Pothos indicated that 3,500 foot candles was more productive in quantity of vines and weight of the plant than 5,500 ft-c regardless of available nutrients. (See the MREC studies.)

Like medicine, there's an optimal amount, and more is not only not always better, but sometimes is much worse.


http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/Resrpts/rh_91_11.htm
http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/Foliage/Resrpts/rh_92_16.htm
http://fshs.org/proceedings-o/1990-vol-103/176-178 (REYES).pdf


  • 1,000 - 2,000: bright but indirect sunlight, may not produce a clearly defined shadow, but is good for many types of plants that require indirect sunlight
  • 2,000 - 4,000: About 40% of midday sun, or direct light coming through windows, bright light and appropriate for plants that require good, strong light intensity
  • 4,000 - 5,000: About 50% of midday sun, or strong direct sunlight in a bright room, good for plants with high light requirements
  • 5,000 and up: Very bright indoor light

Thanks for the valuable information Drstrangelove :)
 
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