C. orchidantheroides - fire flash going up in a flash

[neudl]

So how do you deal with the problem of direct light burning your plants? I have a 55 gal vivarium, and am having a problem with plant dying off due to the light, which is 2 48" full-spectrum bulbs (the narrow ones). Some plant, like my bromeliads, are doing great, but the Chlorophytum orchidantheroides and even the pothos are burning. I am curious a) how much lighting should I be using, and b) how do I make thelight more diffuse, if that is what is needed.

[Julio]

interesting? how can you say they burning unless they are touching the bulbs, are you sure they are not dying from some sort of fungus infection? can you post a pic?

[eLisborg]

florescents shouldn't burn anything unless they are touching, try mistint them more maybe?

[allanschon]

What is your water source? Leaf burn can also arise from a buildup of mineral salts in the plant. If you can post a picture, that might help people make a more accurate diagnosis.

[harrywitmore]

I would have to differ on the ability of high light from florescent lights 'burning' leaves. I have had this happen to many Begonias high in terrariums close to the light while the moisture level was very high and all the lower leaves fine. So, I think it can happen.

[Tim F]

It definitely happens. You may have to prune, or re-mount (lower) the plants that grow too close to the light source which are unable to adjust to it. Otherwise, consider making adjustments to your lighting. Fine screen can help with this without reducing the light by too much.

[kwazarr]

I guess it depends on what you mean by 'burning'! I have one of those in my viv as well and from my understanding, if it is exposed to brighter light, it will take on funny somewhat burnt-like colouration on the leaves. Perhaps putting it somewhere in a darker spot in the tank will help the problem. But again, like the others said, a pic will help!

Ross.

[KeroKero]

There are two things that happen to leaves that people tend to call "burning". First is a true burn...tips coming in contact with a hot surface (flourescent lights, sun warmed window glass in the summer, etc) which turns the leaf surface that comes in contact with the surface brown and dead. The second is more of a bleaching... the leaf surfaces closest to lights that are too strong for the plant to handle go yellow when the chlorophyl is destroyed. I've had this happen with pothos all the time... races to the top just to bleach out (especially common in the solid forms that can't use their natural variegation to adujust to light levels). I've had this happen to leaves right up under a single flourescent :roll:

Trim the pothos down away from the light, and get some cover over the fire flash... either another plant that likes stronger light, like some of the broms, or do the recomended screen method... screen under the lights over the area of the fire flash to make it more shaded. You can do multiple layers to get to the point where needed.