Ficus b. Artificial light options

Question

I’ve been doing a lot of research and have also read all of the links everyone here has provided, but I’m still having trouble figuring out what light color (kelvin) choices to go with. It’s 5.5′ tall tree and the canopy is about 4′ around. I’m planning on adding 5 100 watt (23 watt) cfl bulbs overhead. From everything I’ve read, the red spectrum of light is only used by flowering plants and that the blue spectrum is for vegetation. Since the ficus b. does not flower, should I leave out the red spectrum? Or would it be beneficial to have? If so, I’d go with 1 2500k bulb in the center for reds, and then two 5000k and two 6500k for blue. Or should I just skip the red end of the spectrum completely and add either a 3500k bulb center or just stick with all 5000k/6500k? I’ve searched and searched. Most grow light articles are just about marijuana and, thus, lighting for flowering plants. I’m not looking to buy the full spectrum bulbs. I’d rather create the full spectrum with the Kelvin scale, as it’s much cheaper. Thanks!

Answer 1

Here is a few links for you.

https://extension.missouri.edu/p/G6515
http://www.uvm.edu/pss/ppp/articles/lighting.html