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From: Gord Vokey <gordvokey at SHAW.CA>
Subject: Re: Grow Lights
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When comparing fluorescent lighting to sodium or metal halide, is
everyone referring to T12 lamps?  If so, then the spectrum of T12 is
definitely weak on the red end.  Their efficiency is poor  and the
lamps should be replaced within 6 to 12 months for non-research
growth.   HID lighting has a great spectrum, but can lose 30 to 40
percent of their efficiency within the first year.  The fixtures
themselves can burn hot to a 1000 degrees.

T8 lighting on the other hand is probably the best compromise.
They have full spectrum similar to sunlight at noon, retain over 90%
of their efficiency over a five year life and you get about a 50%
reduction in energy consumption compared to T12 or HID.

I have three tiers of T8 lighting (15 -  4 foot bulbs for a 2x4 square
foot growth area). The total of 45 lamps including 6 small fans (2 per
tier) are all running of off a single 15 amp breaker that is shared with
other utilities in my basement.

I made three switch settings that turn on  6, 9 or all 15 bulbs.  I have
grown over a hundred species of plants using the same lamps for
the last three years. My observation of most plants including
Arisaema under a year old prefer 6 to 9 lamps on verses all 15 at
about 6 inches away.
I would wager a guess that the intensity would be about 1000
micromoles/m2/s  at about 6 to 12 inches away from the source.
Outside of artificial lighting and just as important is to have air
circulation running 24/7.  You don't need lots and your plants will be
much happier for it.
I hobby garden about 100 miles north east of Winnipeg Manitoba in
a zone 2b to zone 3 Canadian shield environment (-40 degrees C or
F don't matter its cold either way!)  I have two colonies of Arisaema
triphyllum with one colony producing seed last year.  I also left
outside last fall a few A.sikokianum and A.candidissimum.  I
mulched them and they have a good snow cover and a mild winter
so far.  So maybe (hoping) I will see them this spring.
Arisaema tryphyllum would be considered rare here in Manitoba (6
to 20 occurrences).  I have never seen them in the wild, but they
may appear on the south eastern tip of the province bordering Lake
of the Woods and Minnesota.
Gord Vokey
74 Shepton Bay
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3R 2E9

Phone:204-895-4150 (Evening)
204-786-6451 (Day)
204-348-3390 (Cottage)
Email:gordvokey at shaw.ca
:gord at conviron.com (work)