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Calthea lovers… Look what a plant light did to my girl, and I’m not… | Anything about plants | Planta-fellesskap

Lynda

Calthea lovers… Look what a plant light did to my girl, and I’m not sure I like it, or that it’s healthy! Her older leaves seem to lack the depth of green that they previously had, and a part of her has shot up several inches so that she’s just not quite as balanced and beautiful as she once was. Do I take her plant light away or what? TIA… PS. She’s getting the same water, she’s in the same space, getting the same fertilizer… nothing has changed that I can think of, except the light…???

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8 likes 40 kommentarer

40 kommentarer

  1. plant mommy

    She doesn’t look unhealthy. Just different. I would do whichever makes you happiest.

    1 like
  2. Wolfen 🐺

    I think she's just suffering leggyness. And needs a stronger light. Imma paste what I posted on Stephanie's post, responding to you

    3 likes
    • Wolfen 🐺

      I choose lights based on a couple things. Does it have clear listing of lumens/lux? This is the brightness a plant will want, so shade vs direct sunlight. Is it full spectrum, personally I can't stand blurple lights, I'll blame autism, but whatever lol. It also makes it hard to detect pests or problems. But I always get full spectrum to cover both fruiting/flowering and foliage as it will better cover your plants needs. And then what's the price? Super cheap lights are almost always gonna be a get what you pay for, you could end up with struggling or really leggy plants. Ive done this with $15 'grow lights' from Harbor freight. The barrina T5 1' run about $40 for 4 strips. The 2' run about $60 for 4 trips. Their screw in bulbs and lamps run in the same $$ range. My soletech pendulum was from their lovely scratch and dent section for $100. I also control most of them with a Govee plug in, which makes it really nice to schedule on my phone. Or i can turn lights on and off from anywhere

      1 like
    • Lynda

      Hmmmmm… that’s definitely food for thought. I’m currently running around with a light meter checking out what sun is coming in from my windows (PNW, not great) and plant lights. It’s definitely a bit confusing, but even with the YADOKER lights that I am using, I’ve seen immense improvement, almost shocking, really! I may have a few more questions for you, if that’s all right; you are a great resource, and I do appreciate you… TXS!

      2 likes
    • Wolfen 🐺

      Grrrrlllll say less. If i see the "low light today" message again, aka the sun hates PNW... I might huck my phone 😆 🤣. Even just adding a regular lamp light, will improve a plants growth, one of my pothos mostly lives off one, there's a bit of light in the am from a window, but otherwise it's just the regular bulb. And it improved a lot after putting it up there. I think its just mainly an issue with higher light needs plants.

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    • Kades

      pnw crew omg

      2 likes
    • Wolfen 🐺

      We might need a Planta PNW meet up 😆 🤣 😂

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    • 5 flere svar i appen
  3. Phil

    These are my two caltheas. They get some morning sun but then it’s grow lights at least 12 hours. Humidifier and RO water. The grow lights should give you a fuller plant. I always thought that legginess and upright appearance was caused by not enough light.

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    • Lynda

      Lovely…🤩 !

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    • MicAZ

      So I’m jumping in here because you caught my attention! I have my Calathea under grow lights for 8 hours at about 25% strength. I lowered the strength because I was getting crispy edges. Maybe I need more light and more water? Mine don’t look bad but still with the brown tips at times.

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    • Phil

      Usually brown tips are humidity issues. I have room size humidifiers going 24 hours a day. Ranges from about 30 to 55%. Depends on how much the heat is on. It’s been in the teens at night and 20’s during day.

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    • Phil

      My grow light for that area, is a 4 foot Barrina. I believe they are 42 watts. No dimmer.

      2 likes
    • Clover 🍀 Buddha

      Now that’s just a beautiful wall of green beauty 💚

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    • 9 flere svar i appen
  4. Phil

    Alright now I have to show you my wife’s calm down space.

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    5 likes
    • Lynda

      And you even have plants in her calm down space! Don’t tell me you put plants IN her bathtub, too?! 😱

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    • Wolfen 🐺

      I would literally shank someone for a tub plant shelf.. I know this seems extreme.... but that's the level of want

      2 likes
    • Lynda

      😂😱🤭🤣!!!

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  5. Wolfen 🐺

    I guess over nutrients were causing leggyness, and when they pulled back on the fertilizer the plant bushed out again. It made me think about another post I think you mentioned you low dose fertilize everytime when you water.

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    • Lynda

      Right, I use Plant Juice on a regular basis, which has been really great for my plants! I think it would be considered low-dose, and it is all natural, whatever that means. I just mentioned legginess in case it could possibly have something to do with my Calthea, which is leggy! But, I thought it was because of the plant light I put on her, and that would match the same timeframe as her growth spurt…??? Is it the fertilizer, or the plant light? Go figure!

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    • Wolfen 🐺

      Its always hard to tell sometimes, they get tricky.

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    • Lynda

      Yeah… they are tricky, sometimes! In my next life, I think I’m going to become a plant psychiatrist; I’ll have a padded sofa, so that I may have a plant come in and lie down, so he/she may tell me about all about their traumatic pasts…🙃! I’ll call you to cross reference diagnoses…🤓! Do you think we could make any $$$ doing this? Just look at what we all spend on our plant adventures…😱 Final analysis, Doctor?

      3 likes
    • Wolfen 🐺

      Lmao... i think that'd be big money. I mean look at the pet therapists and psychics

      2 likes
    • Lynda

      Should we become partners, and go into business together… me🧑‍💼+you👩🏻‍💼 …😂!

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    • 2 flere svar i appen
  6. Ex-Plant Killer 🌱👌

    Oh she’s pretty 🤩

    1 like