With Amaterasu, the water doesn't get warm, nor does the plant get hot.
How are you using the grow lights Amaterasu or Tsukuyomi?
I am cultivating agaves, and in the case of Bear Root, root management always follows sterilization. So, I start using Amaterasu illumination right after the plants are soaked in oxybelon.
It's my personal belief that light, water, and a growth stimulant are essential for rooting, and in this case, Amaterasu provides the light component.
I soak the lower half of the plant in oxybelon and illuminate it from a distance with Amaterasu. Unlike sunlight, which can warm the water or heat up the plant, Amaterasu does not cause these issues.
In my case, agaves root with a high success rate using this method.
Do you use different grow lights depending on the size of the plant?
In the case of Bear Root, since there are basically no roots, the usage does not change depending on the size of the plant. However, young plants are illuminated with 10w, and medium to large plants are illuminated with 20w or using Tsukuyomi. The idea is to promote rooting while providing light.
Amaterasu is also used in aquariums, and I think root management is similar to cultivating moss and aquatic plants. For young plants, I illuminate them from a distance with 10w until their root systems are well established. Being able to differentiate usage like this is a benefit. I believe the compatibility between Akadama 100% soil and Amaterasu is outstanding until the root systems are fully established. After that, I transplant them and continue using the same 10w but bring the light closer.
For medium and large plants, I use Amaterasu 20w and Tsukuyomi. A 20w light is sufficient for plants of a certain size. However, how many lights to use per pot is a matter that often involves consulting one's wallet (laughs). They are expensive lights, but when I started, a friend who is a plant enthusiast told me, 'Don’t skimp there; when you handle expensive plants, maintenance costs money too.' I thought that made sense.
I place about one light per plant.
There are also advantages to growing with LED lights rather than sunlight.
Are there any differences in growth between using grow lights and sunlight when cultivating agaves?
Differences between grow lights and sunlight can vary from person to person. Factors include whether there's a roof on the balcony, if it's an open balcony type, the amount of sunlight exposure, how the afternoon sun enters, the region, and the temperature. Naturally, if agaves are planted in the ground under sunlight, their root spread will be different, and they are expected to grow larger. Leaf discoloration undoubtedly occurs with sunlight, so that's another area where differences can be observed.
The important thing is, in what environment and how you want to grow them.
People often talk about 'pampering' or being 'strict,' but I think that should be determined by the environment.
How are Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi used in the cultivation of caudex plants (succulents with thick trunks)
In my case, I have a large collection of Gracilis and Macayaense, and I do not put the plants being managed for rooting outside. I manage all of them indoors and use Amaterasu lights for illumination.
I rarely change the way I cultivate plants based on their variety.
For caudex plants, I move them indoors during the colder months starting around October, and for the rest of the year, I grow them on an uncovered balcony. Therefore, I only use Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi lights during the winter.
For large plants, I specifically use 20w lights for illumination, and for medium and smaller plants, I illuminate them from about 40 to 50 centimeters above.
Gracilis are sensitive to spring, so even though I use Amaterasu for year-round indoor illumination, they all start producing leaves as soon as spring arrives. However, the impact of Amaterasu on caudex plants is not as clearly visible as it is with agaves.
I also use Amaterasu for shrubs like Commiphora monstrosa and Bursera fagaroides. The effects here are very noticeable; only the parts illuminated by Amaterasu produce more leaves. Therefore, illumination from a high position is suitable, and for larger plants, I use two lights for illumination.
Are there differences between using grow lights and sunlight in the cultivation of caudex plants?
In my case, when it comes to caudex plants, I use sunlight during the warmer months and grow lights during the colder periods.
Even during the warmer periods, those who do not move their plants outside use lights year-round, which means less frequent watering. Compared to those who expose their plants to sunlight for half the year, I believe their growth speed is slower.
However, placing plants outside also increases the likelihood of attracting pests, which in turn raises the risk of diseases.
For those living alone or in family-type apartments who do not place their plants outside, I think grow lights are essential.
What does growing plants mean to you?
For me, cultivating plants is almost no different from raising children. As a parent of a middle schooler and an elementary schooler, I've been watching over their growth, helping them along the way, and seeing how they develop.
So my personal philosophy is, 'Focus on growing them big, rather than on their shape!' It's not from an old hamburger commercial, though. (laughs)
