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LilRaverBoi · 03-01-2009, 10:49 PM

I recently purchased two bananas online (super mini dwarf cavendish and an ice cream) and am considering getting some lighting for them. I currently have them in front of a south-facing window, so they do get direct sunlight for part of the day. Unfortunately, due to the shape of the building, they only receive direct sunlight for maybe 3-4 hours a day. Will this be sufficient enough for them to grow well? They seem to be doing fine right now and they do receive fluorescent light all evening (5-midnight).

Now, as far as lighting goes, I've been looking around for options. It seems like the best all around lighting is HID since fluorescent lighting is only recommended for starting plants with. I've looked at some 400W metal halide/high pressure sodium light set-ups. They have a metal halide bulb for blue spectrum for vegetative states and the high pressure sodium bulb for red/yellow spectrum for flowering. They are really expensive though (around $200). I guess my question is, do I even need extra lighting, and if so, is it worth the money to buy a MH/HPS set-up? It is a lot of money, but I'm sure I'd use it for years (for bananas or other indoor gardening). Will this make a significant difference in growth rates, or is it just wasted money?

03-01-2009, 10:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
LilRaverBoi Nanner Time! LilRaverBoi's Photo Gallery Location: Cedar Rapids, IA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Name: Bryan Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2,937 BananaBucks : 160,225 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 534 Times Was Thanked 2,243 Times in 1,245 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 855 Times	Lighting? I recently purchased two bananas online (super mini dwarf cavendish and an ice cream) and am considering getting some lighting for them. I currently have them in front of a south-facing window, so they do get direct sunlight for part of the day. Unfortunately, due to the shape of the building, they only receive direct sunlight for maybe 3-4 hours a day. Will this be sufficient enough for them to grow well? They seem to be doing fine right now and they do receive fluorescent light all evening (5-midnight). Now, as far as lighting goes, I've been looking around for options. It seems like the best all around lighting is HID since fluorescent lighting is only recommended for starting plants with. I've looked at some 400W metal halide/high pressure sodium light set-ups. They have a metal halide bulb for blue spectrum for vegetative states and the high pressure sodium bulb for red/yellow spectrum for flowering. They are really expensive though (around $200). I guess my question is, do I even need extra lighting, and if so, is it worth the money to buy a MH/HPS set-up? It is a lot of money, but I'm sure I'd use it for years (for bananas or other indoor gardening). Will this make a significant difference in growth rates, or is it just wasted money? __________________ BANANA RAVE! Feel the beat from start to stop, dancin' and movin' from bottom to top! lilraverboi@genxglow.com RIP Tog Tan. We love you and will always remember you! I'm Bryan with a Y! There is no 'I' in BRYAN!