Sub-canopy light emulation. (On the cheap)

[Koornut]

Hey guys, I noticed my viridis was getting too much light during the day.
So I took an old plastic Tupperware container and coloured in black patches to diffuse, and re-create the lighting conditions of a sub-canopy forest environment.

 

[Animistic]

Very cool Sphorange, really love the patterns and the practicality. If you find that doesn't work as you'd like try a small piece of 30-40% shadecloth but I feel that will probably work fine

Thanks for sharing!

 

[Koornut]

thanks TA, I agree that shade cloth would work just as fine. I only used a permanent marker (notice it's a bit see through), I think I need to paint over the black with some acrylic paint so as to block all the light, then run a green sharpie around the edges to imitate opaque leaves in full sun.
And the patterns were the fun part! Highly recommended for a creative afternoon.

 

[Ringworm]

You are growing a plant from the tropics in a house tho.... I highly doubt that without that screen it is too much light.
I've found them to handle a very large amount of intense light.

Just a heads up.

 

[Koornut]

Thanks for the hints RW
Heading into winter soon so the more light the better conditions for the plant yes?

 

[nemesauce]

You are growing a plant from the tropics in a house tho.... I highly doubt that without that screen it is too much light.
I've found them to handle a very large amount of intense light.

Just a heads up.

I do agree with this but I would like to add that p. Viridis likes high humidity, the problem could be that the window acts like a magnify glass and its increasing the amount of transpiration taking place (losing moisture to environment), check your RH.

I have not grown chacruna yet, building a terrarium first, I think humidity is the first thing to address.

 

[Ringworm]

Nemesauce is on target as well.
When I was growing these, I kept the policy of "as much light as they can handle"
Obviously other conditions need to be met as well, and you should be finding a balance of all the plants needs.

 

[Koornut]

I will have to keep an eye out for a cheap hygrometer then I think, where it is located now is definitely not ideal if humidity is an important variable. The window is constantly open an inch and the cool/dry autumn air is always blowing through.
Would you suggest enveloping the plant in some sort of opaque plastic contraption that mimics a greenhouse?

 

[nemesauce]

I would say acquire a 30 gal fish tank min, you'll need something bigger to accommodate an adult plant, seperate the top plastic trim of the tank and apply some heat shrink window film

to the trim (important cause youll need a door of some sort for watering) and poke a few holes for ventilation until you reach your target rh.

Neme.

 

[Koornut]

Could I use Perspex? Or is glass the best option?

 

[nemesauce]

Acrylic is an excellent option, and its the one I'm looking at too

 

[wearepeople]

Good work! That's a happy looking viridis. :d

It might need a little touch of worm castings for some good 'ol Nitrogen.

I live in a very dry climate and found it imperative to keep viridis at humidity levels much higher than ambient humidity.

I use a small, indoor greenhouse (pic below). They normally cost $20 to $50. I have a humidifier inside that I picked up at a thrift store for $5. I try to keep the humidity from about 40% to 80%.

The humidifier works well but it has a digital on/off button. This prevents it from being able to be on a timer, which would be ideal for more constant humidity.

For lights I have 2 CFL bulbs inside the tent. They're the small spiral type at about ~3000K. I'm sure I could have stronger lights on 'em but this seems to do just fine. CAUTION: be sure to loop the power chords to prevent condensate water from getting into sockets.

Keep up the good work!
wap

 

[Koornut]

Ohh I Have an unplanted patch of soil that I have been defending from the buffalo grass in my backyard which is brimming with earthworms.
Thanks WAP

 

[wearepeople]

FYI, that's not my "greenhouse" in the picture above. There is no green grass like that where I live. Imagine desert with rocks, cacti, and prickly bushes.

My "greenhouse" is indoors.

wap.

 

[nemesauce]

Those indoor greenhouses make perfect fruiting chambers I hear... If you're into that sort of thing:wink:

 

[Koornut]

Ok so here's a little update:
I looked into the indoor greenhouse option but my wallet got in the way
Instead I just wrapped her in some opaque plastic with plent of vent holes.

And put her as close to the water heater as possible.

 

[Koornut]

Solar powered garden light.
And the left over plastic surrounded my bridgesii seedlings nicely with a 3k 75w bulb.

And I still managed to find a use for that flamboyant Tupperware container. P. Harmala seedlings

 

[Koornut]

Happy plants :lol: