Special gro-lites are not necessary.

For a standard violet, the tubes should be about 10 inches from the top of the plant. If it is a semi-miniature or miniature, 6-8 inches is good.

I know, I know, 48 inches is way more than you need. Think ahead....lol

Barbara

Cool white and warm white - that's exactly how they are called. Now in WM they sell T8 - you can get a fixture - and a couple of t8 daylight tubes. Stuff grows very well under t8 - but you need to keep the fixture a bit higher and keep the light green leaf plants in a middle - and dark colored - on the ends.

About 24" - I got 2 24" stands - for the same reason as Lathyrus - not enough space for the larger ones - and fixtures for 24" are twice the price, and AVs never grow as well. The light production is much better on long tubes. I
I would say 24" will work if the area you going to put the stand has enough ambient natural light. As a supplemental light- they work beautifully.

Irina, too many plants, not enough time and shelf space.

Isn't it the other way around? Especially for variegated foliage.

Dang, now I have to go through my back issues of the AVSA magazine to find that article.....

Barbara

I owe you a mimosa, Miss Irina.

Barbara

Some plants just don't conform to those generalizations, I've learned, so you really have to watch them and move them at the first sign they are unhappy. I left a lighter AV in stronger light and within 2 weeks it was completely hugging its pot. Now I have the painful process of trying to get it to stop hugging and grow horizontal. The lower outer leaves are still hugging, but the new leaves are starting to reach!! If I'd been watching, I'd have moved it as soon as those first leaves started taking a downturn.

I was going to check somewhere to be sure- but it is how they grow for me. The logic is like this - dark leaves have more chlorophile plus if they have redbacks - anthocyanin picks some energy from different part of spectrum too. So - they utilize light much better than pale green ones - and can sit on the edges.
(sorry for the spelling - too lazy to check)

Lathyrus - check plant rings - there is a special contraption to keep leaves from drooping. You can use a styrofoam plate with a hole in a middle size of the pot to lift them up.

The story is like this - at the judged shows judges love when leaves do not have too long petioles, and leaves are arranged as tiles - - no dirt showing. To achieve it you need a good amount of light - which can make some plants hug the pots - and the leaf ring helps to keep them flat.
If I am wrong - Fred - please correct me.

Irina the Goddess - ;-))

I got a lovely little plant from a fellow AV enthusiast and she told me it didn't like a lot of light ad never direct sunlight....duh, me put it in my window immediately upon receiving it.

Oh, well. It will grow out eventually. I tried the edge of my light stand, but that wasn't better. Now it's in a relatively dim spot and of course the centers are starting to do a bit of the celery dance. Guess it's going to be a bit of trial and error with this one! I adore the blooms on it, so I will figure it out, I will!

thank you - you made a good point. If we all would grow only short petioled plants - we would miss all the variety of fabulous blooms. My understanding is that a lot of Sorano's hybrids will always grow loose - but the blooms on his hybrids - are extra beautiful.

So - Jennifer - hopefully on your new shelf - you will have a variety of AVs - you need to try all types.

Irina