I read on Fancy Bloomers that AV's need between 8-10 hours of light per day, so one question answered, but I don't know how to measure how much natural light my isolated plants are getting. The window is blocked by a large Bradford Pear tree in addition to the Georgia treeline, so no direct sunlight at all and the room is only bright for a few (maybe three or four)hours before we need to turn on the ceiling light.

I read aboul using a light meter in one thread. Where can I find one?

E Bay.

I looked at Amazon - Hydrofarm LG17000 Light Meter seems about right - and I like the price. Just do not buy these combined Ph-light-humidity-and sowing machine together. They are worthless.

It is a very good idea to supplement your light - and there are so many changing factors - natural light varies during the year - and during the day time. you need to have 600 foot candles average for 12 hours - plus minus - you will need more additional light time in winter and less in summer. You probably will adjust by observing how your plants grow - if they stretch - you need more light time - if they start hugging the pot - less time - or lift the fixture higher.

i.