What is the optimal wavelength of light for growing plants (cacti indoors in a northern illinois climate)?

[ken]

Scott wrote:
> 
> I am trying to accelerate the growth of my baby cacti by increasing their
> light exposure with fluorescent lamps.  I am wondering what would the
> optimal wavelength for promoting growth (i.e. photosynthesis).   My
> question, in part, stems from interest in growth lamps.
> 
> I have seen inexpensive (<$10) incandescent "plant lamps".  However,
> fluorescent lamps produce 4x visible light than their incandescent
> counterparts.  BTW, I don't want to use fluorescent plant lamps because I
> do not want to use special fixtures.  Modern compact fluorescent lamps
> work quite well.
> 
> Pivotal question:
> 
> Which is better for growing cacti: incandescent plant lamps or compact
> fluorescent lamps?
> 
> Scott
> 
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Scott,
	 The trouble with incandescent gro-lights is they start with a 
lower lumen per watt rating (just becasue they are incandescent) and 
then they use subtractive filtering to get a daylight lamp.  This 
lowers the efficiency even more.  However, as you say, they do not 
require auxilary equipment.  
	I don't know the particulars (like sd curves, etc.), but SoLux 
halogen/incandescent lamps offers several selections of daylight lamps. 
Check out their webpage, and happy gardening :)	Ken	goken at basec.net