potting up

[Redbaron]

Originally Posted by TightenUp

so my question is does anyone start seeds maybe a week or two later and not pot up?

All these answers are good. But to answer directly. YES I do it and yes it works great. The 72 cell Jiffy pro starter with dome will provide enough room for a large enough tomato seedling to transplant outdoors for a home gardener.


Your seedlings will generally quickly out grow it, but if you start the seeds later, it won't be a problem.

So here is the strategy. Start one batch of seedlings early. When they get big enough, pot them up, (I use home made paper pots or used plastic pots from previous years). Start a new batch of seeds. Plant all 144 outside same time.

Generally the smaller plants do have a few more problems initially, not a lot though. Less resistance to say cut worms or a stray insect. Because they are small, one bite may mean the whole plant instead of just a leaf. But within a few weeks all your plants generally have settled in fine and often by the end of the season you can't even see any difference at all.

[TightenUp]

Thanks Scott

thought i remembered all those hybrids my dad would come home with from the local garden store in little cells. they always did well

[Father'sDaughter]

Originally Posted by TightenUp

whats the diff between t12, t8, t5 etc.????

According to what I've read, the T8's are not only a smaller diameter than the T12s, they're also more energy efficient and reportedly put out more light. I also remember hearing that the T12s would be/are being phased out. All I know is that when I bought mine, my husband said the T8s were the ones I wanted, so that's what I got and with the daylight bulbs, they've been working great.

[JamesL]

The T-12's are the ones being phased out. Last I read they will be available for sale until 2014. They are the big ones.
I use these 4 bulb t-8 fixtures which are $50 apiece, not the cheapest but I figured I could always re-purpose if needed. The chains make it easy to move them up in increments as the plants grow.
http://www.homedepot.com/Lithonia-Li...1#.UPjchfLMvuw

Also went with alternating warm and cool bulbs in each. Can't say if it really matters that much, but bulb 10 packs are only $30 - $35 so what the heck.

Timers - I like these - Doesn't show it but you can plug 2 light fixtures into each. $16.50 a pop.
http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-25ec...1#.UPjgMPLMvuw

Here is a pic of some new big dwarfs growing in the basement last April.
Also a garage pic from early May about a week before plant out.
No natural light in either the garage or the basement.

fortyonenorth's rotation is a great idea if you are truly out of space. I had plenty of garage room and just went and bought more lights.

[TightenUp]

thanks all!!

not sure which direction i will be heading but now feel like i'm equipped with enough knowledge to get through this seed starting season. first of all i need to check out my space and make sure i can handle some extra lighting.

if need be i can stagger my seed starting, or keep the lights running 24/7 and rotate plants, or just use my little cells and start a bit later. all good ideas here and i'm not sure which i will choose.

again, thanks!

[zeroma]

If I get the 2 bulb shop light how much space does one fixture cover?

Or a 4 bulb shop light?

[Crandrew]

Fluorescent has a very small footprint. Especially due to the fact that it needs to be writhing a few inch of the foliage.

HPS will spread and penetrate.

[JamesL]

Zeroma,
The standard length is 4 feet for the t-8 fixtures. The bulbs being slightly shorter. Most t-12 fixtures are the same.
The 4 bulb I referenced has a 12" reflector. so 2 side by side covers a 4 X 2 area directly.

Jeff,
I am sure you will do fine no matter which direction you go.

[SteveS]

If you have a rich aunt pass away, look at the T5 HO setups.
Results in much stockier plants & don't have to be as close to the lights.

[Tracydr]

Originally Posted by fortyonenorth

When I run out of room, I move to a 2-shift setup where I put 1/2 of the plants under the lights from 7am to 7pm and then move the other half under from 7pm to 7am.

Brilliant! I'm having this issue right now!

[jillybeantx]

I just dealt with this issue over the weekend. Didn't really set a budget but wanted to be low cost about it. At Lowes I found a set of plastic shelves on clearance ($25) , and bought 4 2-bulb T12's ($12 each) and box of 10 Daylight bulbs ($30). The 4 bulb fixtures were about $50 each - cheaper to buy 2 2-bulb. I had to hang 2 fixtures side by side to fill the space on the shelf, so I have seed sprouting on one shelf, lights on 2 shelves, and supplies on the bottom shelf and very top. So far I'm very pleased with the set up - plants looked different within 12 hours!

[rwsacto]

Originally Posted by TightenUp

whats the diff between t12, t8, t5 etc.????

The diameter of fluorescent tubes are designated in 1/8 inch increments. T12 is 12/8 or 1-1/2 inch diameter. T8 is 8/8 or one inch diameter, etc. Typically, the smaller diameter tubes put out more light per watt.

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) are the equivalent of about T3. You can also make a grow light fixture by getting a used bathroom mirror fixture that uses 3-8 lightbulbs in a row and use with 24 watt CFLs. Check the Habitat for Humanity store, these things go for a dollar or two used and come in several lengths.

Note that CFLs do not work well when pointed downward and may overheat so I recommend the mirror fixture be rigged horizontal and make a reflector on the top.

Hope this helps,

Rick

[Crandrew]

^which is why I always push a t5 setup with FL.

[Greenthumbroy]

Originally Posted by TightenUp

whats the diff between t12, t8, t5 etc.????

Try this website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluorescent-lamp_formats

This should answer all of your questions.

[zeroma]

Greenthumbroy, that wetsite you posted had my head spinning as I know nothing about lights. So I just did a search - just found this site that was helpful for me.

http://www.earthineer.com/content.php?blogid=328

It helped me figure out what 'color' light is needed as well. I was wondering why some posters said to use one cool and one warm. I'm going to check out a few places tomorrow, including the Habitat for Humanity store.

I'll be sure to print out some information so I don't feel overwhelmed when I get to looking!