Comment on Money tree pruning
Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
It definitely needs more light. Those blurple lights are more gimmicky than useful. You can see that by the internodial elongation.
Then, cut the longest stem to the height of the other ones, which is about the level of the white ball thing. Again, more light, or they will seek out more by themselves and grow very weak and thin.
Optionally, you can now bend the other ones down temporarily with a wire, called Low-Stress-Training, which will send out more side branches.
Remove the very lowest ones, so it looks more like a “tree”.
enix@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
Do you have a recommendation for a better light? I figured this grow light would be good but I’ll trust you when you say it’s gimmicky.
Wahots@pawb.social 2 weeks ago
They don’t make this exact model anymore, but this one is what I’ve been using since 2023. And whoa, Nelly, this thing is bright. Way too powerful for most plants. You can have multiple layers of plants in an ikea glass cabinet and they will all be happy…at 50% power. Maybe even 25%.
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B08CHCFCG1?psc=1
I also got four of these bad boys and some mini ones (don’t bother with the latter) and some thermal epoxy to adhere it down. Even with four heatsinks, the controller gets extremely hot. By default, it is dangerously hot. Glued them on each side of the controller. The heatsinks get extremely hot, but the controller gets down to a reasonable temperature.
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B09L23TC6T?psc=1
It makes all of my cactuses, chiles, orchids, and other assorted tropicals flower throughout the year. (I run it at 50% with a Phillips Hue automatic plug timer)
enix@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
Thank you for all the info. I will be upgrading the lights.
Is the light I have good for anything or just trash?
Wahots@pawb.social 1 week ago
Oh, I think that light is still good. I used one like it for years, and only swapped to a different one when my roommate took it when we graduated uni. I got a different, cheaper light that crapped out a year later. Then I learned that spending over $150 gets you a light that won’t burn out as quick from daily use.
Guenther_Amanita@slrpnk.net 2 weeks ago
I use Sansi grow lights. They fit into standard E27 bulbs, are very efficient and have a bright natural light.
Be aware, they can be really strong! Some houseplants don’t tolerate much light and can even bleach out if too close to the bulb
enix@reddthat.com 2 weeks ago
Thnaks, I will check those out.