Best Lighting Method for Indoor Bonsai?

[TerraAudeux]

Hello! I have recently gotten into bonsai!
I have what I think is a Fukein Tea tree? There was no label when my dad got it from Walmart.
I also have a Buddhist Pine (currently still a tiny lil sapling, I love him), which I am most concerned about.
I've kept him indoors for the entire time I've had him, without issue. My main concern is lighting. I'm afraid he isn't getting enough, since my windows are somewhat blocked by the bunk bed I have.
What lights are recommended for growing indoor bonsai? I have shelves I can clear off and use, if needed.

 

[WNC Bonsai]

Go to eBay and search for LED grow lights. Male sure to install them just above the foliage to give the trees the most light possible.

 

[penumbra]

Go to eBay and search for LED grow lights. Male sure to install them just above the foliage to give the trees the most light possible.

eBay is good but Amazon offers some advantages such as ease of returns or exchanges and guaranteed delivery on date stated. The return policy simply can't be beat.

 

[Paradox]

I agree with being cautious about EBAY.
whatever you get, make sure they are a reputable brand with a UL listing. There are cheap Chinese lights that dont have a safety rating and in some cases a good safetly reputation

I use shop lights with flourescent daylight bulbs. They key is "daylight" as they give a full spectrum of light.
My tropicals love them.

Also there are tons of threads about winter lights on the forum, do a search, this question has been asked and answered tons of times

 

[Jr737ng]

Hello! I have recently gotten into bonsai!
I have what I think is a Fukein Tea tree? There was no label when my dad got it from Walmart.
Led recessed lights have proven worthy. 850 lumens and the trees grow year around

 

[badatusernames]

My fukien is actually doing great just in a southwest facing window. I was told they were hard to take care of over the winter, but this thing has flourished. I don't consider it a window that gets an incredible amount of light, but I guess it works!

For plants that aren't right in a window, I've actually been using these

Amazon.com: High Quality High Brightness 54W Grow Light,Wireless Remote,Auto ON & Off Every Day with Cycle Timer,4H/8H/12H/16H,Desktop Plant Light for Indoor Greenhouse Growing Lamps : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com: High Quality High Brightness 54W Grow Light,Wireless Remote,Auto ON & Off Every Day with Cycle Timer,4H/8H/12H/16H,Desktop Plant Light for Indoor Greenhouse Growing Lamps : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

and they've done quite well, better than I thought cheap LEDs from Amazon would. I keep the lights pretty close to the trees and I've found that it keeps the trees pretty happy. I had a willowleaf ficus last year that didn't drop nearly as many leaves as without the light, for instance, and my bougainvillea is actually putting out some flowers. Definitely not as vibrant as if it had full sun, but not bad for the winter.

 

[Jr737ng]

Reason why I went for regular, high intensity lights instead of grow lights is because the amount of plants I have that are not winter hardy.

 

[penumbra]

850 lumens is pretty marginal for growing plants inside unless they are low light plants or the plants are kept pretty close to the lights. Figure a single strip led shop light is 3,500 - 4,000 lumens.

 

[Mailo06]

I have a niello 300w, i keep my ficuses and elm under it for 2 months, so far so good, i got it from Facebook market for cheap so cant complain

 

[Jr737ng]

850 lumens is pretty marginal for growing plants inside unless they are low light plants or the plants are kept pretty close to the lights. Figure a single strip led shop light is 3,500 - 4,000 lumens.

I have a 500-Watt T3 Halogen Double-Ended Light Bulb, which puts out about 9,500 lumens as well. But for some reason the leaves are growing towards the much dimmer, 850 lumens LED bulb

 

[cbroad]

500-Watt T3 Halogen Double-Ended Light Bulb, which puts out about 9,500 lumens as well.

That is not a lot of light for the amount of electricity used, I would opt for a light designed for plant growth. I have a dimmable 600-1125w interchangeable MH/HPS, and with the MH bulb on 600w, I'm getting around 40,000 lumens. A much better return on the electrical usage. I just don't think halogens are efficient enough to rely on any amount of growth.

I'm all for HID lights for plants and have a few of different wattages, I like regular and HO fluorescents too. I haven't used any LEDs myself, but haven't been impressed with what I've seen.

I want my plants to thrive, not just survive.

 

[Cable]

I bought a blurple light last year for my raintree and parrot's beak tree. The PBT went dormant but the raintree grew like a mofo. This year I have a Vietnamese Blue Bell tree and kumquat in addition to the other two so added a spider labs light. Kinda pricey but that thing is awesome. First year the PBT hasn't dropped it's leaves.

 

[Carol 83]

I bought a blurple light last year for my raintree and parrot's beak tree. The PBT went dormant but the raintree grew like a mofo. This year I have a Vietnamese Blue Bell tree and kumquat in addition to the other two so added a spider labs light. Kinda pricey but that thing is awesome. First year the PBT hasn't dropped it's leaves.

I upgraded my lights a bit this year also, and my Parrot's Beak is loving it! So nice to see it growing happily instead of sulking.