Setting up an indoor plant table

Has anyone else done this? I have an upstairs room which I don't use and it gets a lot of light as it has 2 windows, so rather than cramming houseplants on windowsills, which are a bit drafty (no double glazing here)!!! I thought of putting a table up there with capillary matting on, just wondering if I would need strip lighting as well? Any ideas really welcome!!

Val

 

My dad has one. No special kit, just a small table right by the front window. I don't know all the plants he has on it, I can ask him though. To my untrained eye it looks like most cactuses and succulents. All in pots just stood on the table.

 

Yes, I have these for cacti, succulents, in another room, bonsai. Also another lot for African Violets. I do have lights for the cacti and African Violets but most of the others manage without lights unless I am propagating or have a sickly one.

 

I don't want them to just survive, I want them to grow and thrive, but I'm not sure that is possible indoors!!

Val

 

What plants are you planning to grow on them?

 

I have garage-shelving (the sort of thing for spare parts, with uprights like Meccano) by the window in my Home Office, crammed with plants over-wintering to "survive", then I have a table with proper lighting rigs for seedlings. Windowsill is OK but in lousy springs, like last year, there is nothing like enough light so, even if enough heat, the plants don't thrive. I have just found it easier, over the years, to take care of both Heat AND Light for seedlings during February & March, by April they are OK in the greenhouse (with a fan heater for cold nights to ensure Minimum of 10C)

 

Well 2 phalaenopsis for a start!!

Val

 

It is. My dad's one is living proof. I'll get a photo next time I go up.