Growing A Cactus With Artificial Lighting
Using Electrical Lighting To Grow a Cactus
If you are thinking of growing your Cactus under artificial light, you will be doomed to failure. They will never flower as Cactus species only flower under high intensities of sunlight. Never grow Cacti under artificial light and try to encourage them to shoot by providing extra warmth and extra watering. They will not grow.
You may use artificial lighting if...
-
You want to extend the hours of sunlight.
-
If you are forced to put Cacti in a dark room in Winter.
What Must I Use To Create This Artificial Light?
Ordinary light bulbs are no good as they lack the blue range of the spectrum. Fluorescent lights are the cheapest but they are also the weakest forms of light. You would need to install these lights in large numbers if you wish to provide a good intensity of light for the Cactus. Mercury arc lamps and mixed light lamps can be bought at reasonable prices. They posses a high intensity of light and plants seem to like their spectrum. Sodium arc lamps are perfect for plants in all aspects although they do have quit a high price tag on them.