Grow lights, suggestions needed

[TomatoDon]

This has been a great thread in showing how to set up a simple, inexpensive, and functional seedling table, or tray arrangemnt. Great stuff.

I'm learning the jargon here, and am not sure what "cool tube" is. I assume I can go to HD or Lowe's, Wal Mart, etc. and get a white tube and a full spectrum tube and this is all you need. Correct? Have a timer to run the lights around 16 hours a day. Water the tiny seedlings by misting? What is a good depth for a seed starter tray? I assume these can be bought at the places I mentioned above.

The clip on fan idea is a good one. The shelving set you can get from Lowe's is a much better idea than the one I had for building something. And I am glad Suze mentioned how close to keep the lights to the seedlings. I had no idea you needed it that close, and it was an essential thing to learn.

So...cool tubes...they are just the regular florescent light tubes? A double fixture using one white and one full spectrum tube?

Are we leaving anything else out? I'm hoping to get this seedling thing right this year!

Thanks!

Don

[dcarch]

Don,

"am not sure what "cool tube" is"
No "cool tube". "Cool white" or "daylight"
"full spectrum tube" may be very expensive, there is no need to pay that kind of money.

I have not found fans needed. They can dry out the soil too quickly. But if you want to use a fans, the ones called "Muffin fans" used inside computers are the best. They last very long, extremely efficient and quiet. You can salvage them when you throw away old computers. Make sure they say 110v not 12vDC, unless you have a 12 VDC power supply.

"Are we leaving anything else out?"
I am a firm believer in reflecting surfaces around the growing area. Use aluminum foil or Mylar mirror film all around and under the seed trays. You can get more than 1/4 more light.

dcarch

[wilderness1989]

Thanks for the charts!
John

Originally Posted by feldon27

I considered writing the names of the varieties on dozens of labels. I also considered buying a pack of popsicle sticks.

But I ended up making a chart. A treasure map if you will. I wrote the varieties at the top and then numbered the cells on my map.

Here's a seedling map for a 72 cell tray if you wish to go by number.
http://www.feldoncentral.com/garden/...Chart_2007.pdf

Here's a seedling map for a 72 cell tray if you wish to write the names of the varieties in each cell.
http://www.feldoncentral.com/garden/...t_OpenPlan.pdf

[TomatoDon]

It's amazing what you can learn here if you'll just ask.

After being re-directed to this thread I scrapped all plans to build from scratch. The "home-made eyesore" factor played a part.

I read over this, and a couple of other threads, and soon located the materials listed to put together a nice seed starter system. I had to check around, but I found a nice chrome 18" x 48" five shelf rack at Lowe's, attractive and neat, and rollers can be added. I found the chrome 48" light fixtures to match at HD. I found all sorts of light tubes, including the "plant and aquarium" kind at Wal-Mart for less than $6. Matching chains, S hooks, etc. are available everywhere. So are fans, timers, and grounding and recepticle devices. I found a smaller matching shelved rack that seems like it would be good for keeping all the supplies.

I had to check a couple of times because I wasn't sure how many lights to use, but from your pictures I see a double fixture on each tray. I also notice that most of you just use the two middle trays.

With delicate seedlings trying to sprout I assume you mist them carefully instead of conventional watering.

Next, I guess I'll have to determine the proper seedling trays and starter mix, and how many seedlings I can plan to grow on one shelf, and how much room I'll need to step up the most vigorous to individual cups later.

All in all it has been a very productive week of learning about getting set up to start seedlings the right way, with the right equipment. Much more advanced than the homespun methods I tried last year.

Maybe I'll have a picture to send soon. Thanks everyone!

Don

[dcarch]

Don,

One thing nice to have is a power strip so that the entire setup can be turned off with one switch.

I have found a power strip which also has individual switch for each plug. Almost impossible to find.

dcarch

[daylilydude]

dcarch said

I have found a power strip which also has individual switch for each plug. Almost impossible to find.

************************************************** **********************************
dcarch please give us some details on that power strip like where can we find one ? And a price if there can be other one found .

[dcarch]

Originally Posted by daylilydude

dcarch please give us some details on that power strip like where can we find one ? And a price if there can be other one found .

I don't know where you can get one. As I said, almost impossible to find. I don't know why, because it's so useful. I passed by a hardware store once near Chinatown in NYC and I bought two. I think I paid $14.00 each. I wish I had bought a few more.

dcarch

[hoping4tomatoes]

Hi there...

I have a question(maybe dumb)....I see fans...What are they for?

Thanks!

[feldon30]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...p?EdpNo=914023

[feldon30]

Originally Posted by hoping4tomatoes

Hi there...

I have a question(maybe dumb)....I see fans...What are they for?

Thanks!

A gentle breeze encourages the plants to grow stronger stems.

[hoping4tomatoes]

Thanks Feldon.......just wanted to make sure there were no humidity rules... I appreciate it!

Is coming through and hand brushing them daily enough?

[TomatoDon]

And while we're at it...how do you water fragile and sprouting seedlings? With a mister or little spray tank?

Don

[Rena]

Water from below. Fill the tray up let them drink and empty tray.

[Plant Lady]

Originally Posted by don06

And while we're at it...how do you water fragile and sprouting seedlings? With a mister or little spray tank?

Don

I use a dish soap bottle for bigger seedlings & a spray bottle for smaller seedlings...Once I transplant to larger containers (foam cups the larger one, which you can write on to label) Then I bottom water, I put the cups in flats or other containers.

[TomatoDon]

Thanks to all of you and a little lady named suze I've found most everything I need for the seedling table. And boy, is this stuff you suggested SO much better than what I was planning!

The only thing I lack, I think, is the timer. I opted for the four foot wide "table" that is really a five tiered shelving unit. I found it at Lowe's. I found the four foot florescent lighting fixtures at HD. I've found all sorts of light tubes at both those places, plus Wal Mart. Cheap to expensive, and all sorts of spectrums.

I'm still reading here, and have a few more things I'm trying to locate for the total project, but I hope to have it all here and assembled by the week-end. I've found some pretty good seedling trays. I don't know if these are the best or not, but it's by Ferry Morse and I got it at HD I think. It's called Quick and Easy Triple Greenhouse. It's simple and pretty inexpensive, and has the bottom tray that can hold water, the seedling tray with 72 cells that drains, and the little dome that goes on top. Actually, it's a pretty neat looking little contraption. I'm sure many of you have fancier and better stuff, but maybe this will get me started. I did read where Carolyn says she likes the plants to get somewhat root bound before tranplanting, so I guess these little cells will be fine before I step them up to styrafoam cups. Or...a better idea may come along here.

Man, man, what would I do without you guys? :wink:

More later...

Don