What is the meaning of the term: ft-candles?

Question

I just purchased the plant 'Strelitzia reginae', (bird of Paradise). I live in Chicago, IL and the instructions for the care of this plant states that it prefers full sun, 4000-8000 ft-candles, but can tolerate 2000 ft-candles. What exactly does that mean in layman terms? Can those terms be converted into degrees F, or converted into length of time it is exposed to the sun. My balcony faces south and gets about 6 to 7 hours of sun.

Answer 1

A candle is an hour of sunlight.If the plant says full sun you should be fine.Partial shade plants only like 2-4 candles,full sun like 4-8.The higher the number the longer it needs to be in the full sun.When they start putting the 2000,or 4000,or 8000.I get lost.My husband is a landscaper and says it's just the candles I need to look at not the number 100,1000,10,000.So basicly if it says 4-or-4000 it is the same as 4 hours full sun.I hope I didn't confuse you more.

Answer 2

the term is 'foot-candles'.....

"Since light intensity is the primary factor in the photosynthesis of plants, horticulturalists often measure and discuss optimum intensity for various plants in foot-candles. Full, unobstructed sunlight has an intensity of approximately 10,000 fc. An overcast day will produce an intensity of around 1,000 fc. The intensity of light near a window can range from 100 to 5,000 fc, depending on the orientation of the window, time of year and latitude."