Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

Well guys here's my first attempt at trying to grow Cephalotus under artificial lighting. I'm using a Phillips Cool Daylight 23Watt Bulb and white plastic board backing around the sides and bottom of the tank to increase brightness (if that actually helps much). Pots are sitting on pebble trays with water level just touching base of pot. Advice is very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Here's some pics to share.
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/673/1515115.jpg
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/7716/1505100.jpg
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/4259/1505098.jpg

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

Hi Funkychips...Where did you get that case????? Looks soo nice and of course the plants look so healthy too!! Love it..

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

Ken,it's the exoterra cage for reptiles.Funkychips,why don't you just plant them in the tank, like a terrarium.But isn't the tank abit pricy?

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

If you want to use energy bulbs, choose a higher wattage, they can do well for your cephs. Also do repot your YG cephs, the original media will induce root rot in no time.

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

Hi Ken and Marvin, I got those tanks from my friend who used to keep his tarantulas in there. They are from the Exoterra brand, they are a US company selling reptile accessories and doing eco research so thats why their designs are so unique. You can find them at petshops like Pet Safari, and yes they are terribly expensive. I probably won't buy them just for putting in the plants, since I got them free I might as well make good use of them.

Hi Delwin, what is the highest wattage you can find for energy bulbs? This one is 23 Watts, it says on the box that it emits 150W equivalent of light intensity from six tungsten bulbs. And Delwin, should I repot my Cephs with same type of medium or change into peat and perlite composition? Please advise, thanks!

Alvin

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

Funkychips,do you think those exoterra "Reptile Glo Compact Full Spectrum Terrarium Light bulb"is OK for plants?Is UVB good for plants?Since you always use them.(maybe la,but you do have reptiles before don't you)This one says plants also grow under them.the link: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products...cent_bulbs.php

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

THe first one,and still got those linear bulbs.The link: http://www.exo-terra.com/en/products...cent_bulbs.php

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

Hi Marvin,
I think the bulbs in the web is not good because the Red Light wave is more effect to the plants than the Blue light wave and T10, T8 is use a lot of enegy give us not much lux of light. So the best for plants is T5. It give alot of lux and enegy for it low.

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

I am not sure what is the highest wattage over your side, but i am very sure that there are some much more higher wattage then this. If you cant find those T5 set with individual reflextors, then you can go for PL, they will give you the same effect as T5(but gives off more heat then T5).

Repot them with sand and peat, ratio 1:1. If you cant find lapis sand, then perlite will also do the job. While repotting, you can splite the cephs too, i am sure there are atleast more then 5 growing points from the look of the plant.

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

Yep, I have used those flourescent lights before, I use them for my blue tongue lizard, but not on plants, because I think they feel abit too hot for comfort, much more costly than the normal energy saving daylight bulb and they are not so bright compared to those light bulbs.

Ok thanks Delwin. So, basically T5 bulbs come in 5/8 inch size? One thing I noticed about them is that they tend to dim over a short period of time (or by constant daily use of 14-16 hours), hence need to put multiple tubes using bigger deflectors I suppose?

I think my Ceph has four growing points. I have a big bag of perlite and vermiculite so I suppose I could use that. Since I have two pots of few growth points each I think I will try two to three on a different type of media and see how they acclimatise.

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

nice ceph funkychips! how long have u had the ceph grown in that condition?


so r u gonna use the same light ?

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

Hi nick!
I've been keeping it for only half a month, just got it recently so far nothing's changed but according to Delwin I may have to change the media soon as it is getting really mushy and soggy. I suppose I will still use the same lights temporarily, as I get planning on having a wider area for keeping all my CPs together under one central lighting system of lights.

Alvin

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

yes, 5/8 inches. Do try to look out for reflextor for each individual light tube. But a better brand one, those from China made will have the dimming effect. If you cant find that, then i suggest using PL light.
You can mix peat : perlite : vermiculite 1:1:1.

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

Have repotted my Cephs. Bottom of pot filled with thin layer of lava rock, followed by mixture of 50:50 Peat:Perlite and lastly top dressing of about 1 inch of LFS. Hope that's ok. :unsure:

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

The idea of laying a layer of lava rock is not good, i suggest a layer of LFS would be more idea. And toping a layer around the crown may induce rot.:sweating:

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

Whew! Just done repotting according to your recommendation Delwin. Perlite as top dressing. Can't go far wrong can it? :D
Here's the pic. Terracotta pot from Ikea, thin layer of LFS as bottom, middle layer peat, perlite, vermiculite mix (1:1:1) and top off with 1/2 inch perlite. Container with some gravel and thin line of water to provide humidity.

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/2303/repottedcephs.jpg
Alvin

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

Right, this is the way. If you are dare abit, do some leaves pulling. Your plants have alot of leaves. If you even more daring, do some off shoot seperating, there are alot of off shoot in each pot. In the end, some small off shoot will die.:biggrin:

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

It looks so nice.....

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

dude u have got green thumbs and i love the setting. it looks so neat and pleasing!

Re: Cephalotus under Energy Saving Lights
 

Due to the momentary lack of light intensity and ventilation issues, I have shifted my Cephalotus plants outdoors. So hoping to upgrade to a new and bigger tank soon to get the conditions more ideal before experimenting with the plants under lights again.