Darkness? How long?

f1pt4

Chumono
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Hypothetical question.

Lets say someone grows tropicals indoors in a cold climate. That said person uses artificial lighting. The artificial lighting is the only source of light. Then a winter storm blows through and the power goes out.

Assuming the temperature doesn't drop too drastically, how long can the trees survive in darkness before they get permanently screwed up? 24 hours? 48? longer? shorter?

Any idea?

Thanks,

Mike.
 
Yeah, I hadn't thought about that... although I get some light through windows.
 
People ship tropicals all the time, and they often spend several days to a week in a box in total darkness. They may shed some leaves but it doesn't "permanently screw them up".

Good point. So I'm assuming 48hours without light won't mess them up too much.

Yesterday during the day we had 3 power failures. longest one lasted 4 hours. It made me think of what I could do if there was an ice storm or something, and power was out 2-3 days.
 
I think cold might be a bigger worry, break out the blankets. Didn't Dierk from the club lose a bunch of trees during the last ice storm?
 
Yessir. Many many.

We have had no power at our old place 4 and 5 days and the indoor plants(all of them) were just fine. There we used a camping heater to maintain 65ish in the area we cordoned off. Here we have a Kerosene heater as backup - Honest if you setup this unit properly it emits no noticeable odor, the proper kerosene is normally at the gas pump as well, far cheaper then cans from the store.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...ci_sku=48735&gclid=CNXYjMvEossCFQseHwodAu8OXA

That unit in the dead of Winter heats the entire first floor with ease here if need be.

Grimmy
 
Don't certain tropical get defoliated routinely without any ill effects? Personally, I wouldn't worry about temporary low light levels with tropicals, or any other species for that matter, unless it extended for more then a week...but I'd think you'd have bigger problems to worry about at that point.
 
Hypothetical question.

Lets say someone grows tropicals indoors in a cold climate. That said person uses artificial lighting. The artificial lighting is the only source of light. Then a winter storm blows through and the power goes out.

Assuming the temperature doesn't drop too drastically, how long can the trees survive in darkness before they get permanently screwed up? 24 hours? 48? longer? shorter?

Any idea?

Thanks,

Mike.

It will take many weeks to permanently screw them up. At 6-8 weeks you will get weakening of the branches, which will take a few weeks to correct. Your trees can suffer for an extended period of time and pull through. My assumption is you won't be without power that long. If you know you will be down for a couple weeks then, depending on species, consider defoliation and working on them (assuming they are healthy). Treat it as an opportunity.
 
For what it is worth, on our side all growth halts from around Christmas to May / June.
Trees will bloom, many defoliate and renew leaves up to three times.
This period mentioned is our Dry Season.
Good Day
Anthony

* Those ficus trees you guys grow are from China / Australia zone, so you can ask at AUSbonsai.
 
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