Is this overkill?

[u/Viva_Nova]

I acquired this 13 year old Brazilian Rain Tree (my first bonzai) about a month ago and its been acclimating fine in front of large west facing window (New York). I knew that I would likely need to supplement with a grow light in the winter (and perhaps on cloudy days like today) so I purchased a SANSI 32W grow light.

But now I'm wondering if this might be too much supplemental light when combined with the west facing window.

I’m also wondering if a stronger grow light could completely replace the window during the winter? I was considering something like a Mars Hydro TS 1000. I hate how janky this lamp looks and it would be cool if I could create a nice looking setup using an LED panel and move the tree away from the window during the winter. Especially because the area around the window is not well heated and I think temperatures could drop below 50F which can kill the tree

[u/MaciekA]

The TS1000 would be good if you wanted to go full grow tent and give it "July in a box". This current setup is very far from overkill though. This is a species that can take full all-day sun in a tropical environment with strong heat. I'd really disregard any source / comment / website / video that even comes close to suggesting that shade or dim lighting is appropriate for tropical bonsai, the opposite is true. In bonsai we want strong vigorous growth, which gives us the surplus to power through repots, wiring, budding, closing wounds, growing extensions, respond to pinching and defoliations, etc. More light and more heat is better right up until you reach the limits of what you can keep up with watering-wise or right up until you experience burn.

[u/Viva_Nova → u/MaciekA]

Thanks, makes sense. I think I was underestimating just how much light they can use. So as long as I don't burn the leaves and can keep up with watering, I can push as much light as I want.

When you say a TS1000 would be good for grow tent, do you mean that it would be excessive for an open room setup? My ideal winter setup would be to move the tree away from the cold window and place it on a small table in my room with a panel (like the TS1000) mounted a few feet above it. Something like this:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/djrstc/i_built_myself_a_indoor_bonsai_wall_today/
or https://www.reddit.com/r/Bonsai/comments/mhdcqm/got_my_first_bonsai_tree_and_just_got_my_grow/

Would TS1000 makes sense for that or is there something else I should look into?

[u/fractalfrog → u/Viva_Nova]

The problem with an open room setup with a light such as the TS1000 is that it’s really, really bright, which will affect the general ambiance of the room and it might be uncomfortable to spend extended periods of time in the room. I use Secret Jardín lights in the winter for our house plants, and at only 40W they are already very bright. The TS1000, on the other hand, is 150W. 

Another thing to consider is that modern led lights are powerful enough to cause eye damage if you look straight at them. Ensure you mount the light in such a way that your eyes are safe. 

[u/nemotux → u/Viva_Nova]

TS1000 looks like it would work fine w/ or w/o a grow tent. I think the other commenter was more making the point that you're on the complete opposite end of the overkilling/underkilling spectrum at present.

Plants take a lot of light - like unbelievably a lot of light. Bright west/south facing windows allow a pittance of the light through that they'd actually get outside in full sun. It looks bright to you because your eyes adjust to being in a dark room. But windows don't actually let all that much light in.

If you do get a TS1000, you probably only want it a foot or so above the tree. Not multiple feet. Light diffuses quickly.

[u/glissader]

I have several TS1000 in my grow tents, they work well.

The classiest timer-grow lamp IMO is the AeroGarden table top, and it has an arm so you can crank the height up or down depending on the tree height. I’m not sure if it was discontinued or what, otherwise I’d post a link.

[u/mileageh]

Pretty sure you can’t have too much indirect light

[u/Lost_On_Lot]

If the tree is happy- and it doesnt cost you an arm and a leg, it aint overkill.

[u/Hades_Left_Hand_]

I can’t believe that is 13 years old. Maybe a cutting from a 13 year old? Just a noob question/statement more or less, but after 13 years this is what I would get?

[u/ThaDynamite]

I would suggest testing that lamp with a light meter. You can download an app like Light Meter and it'll give a decent measurement. From my experience with them indoors, they can take about 4000-4500 footcandles of light for 14 hours a day before the foliage starts to bleach. Anything between 2500-4000 and they are loving it.

At that distance, it may be getting 1500 at the very top of the tree, and diminishing significantly the lower down it goes. Don't be afraid of bringing it much closer.

[u/Viva_Nova → u/ThaDynamite]

Yeah, it’s getting ~1500 around the canopy and 5k right at the center of it. It’s crazy how quickly it drops off as you go down. Very interesting, thank you :)

[u/shirtsnstuff]

Was that succulent there when you got it? I would be worried the consistent watering of the tree would cause it to rot.

[u/Viva_Nova → u/shirtsnstuff]

Yeah it was there when I got it. I checked it just now and a leaf popped right off lol. The stem looks like it’s starting to rot. Nothing in the care guide about removing it and the seller didn’t say anything either. Guess I’ll take it out in the morning and give him a call. Not sure how it never occurred to me that I somehow had this magical succulent that could survive the watering schedule of a bonsai

[u/shirtsnstuff → u/Viva_Nova]

If it hasn't started to rot, pot that sucker up!

[u/High-Doc]

Where did you get the rain tree seed/ cuttings from?

[u/SHjohn1]

I love how small the foliage is on this!