Lighting seedlings...advanced question

Ed of Somis · January 31, 2015

When I bought bulbs (florescent) for my shop light in the past ...I used both 6000k (standard) and 3000k bulbs (trying for "full spectrum"). The 3k light seems almost pink and less bright. I wonder if I might be better off using just 6000k bulbs???

JJJessee · January 31, 2015

The 6000 is probably 6500. I use and have heard the 6500s are the best that are readily available.

Cole_Robbie · January 31, 2015

I buy "cool white" spiral flourescents.

I don't think seedlings need full spectrum. Red light would be more for flowering and fruiting.

Ed of Somis · January 31, 2015

that makes sense....thanks

amideutch · January 31, 2015

Ed, I use 5500K power Twist full spectrum T12's and 6700K CFL's. As we are growing the seedlings under light for 4-6 weeks there is no need for the 3000K Warm Lights. Anything from 5000K and up should work fine.

Ami

Ed of Somis · January 31, 2015

I need some...I only have "cool" left (3500 I think). thanks Ami

Snowman · February 6, 2015

Since I have a similar question i'll use this thread.
I grow my seedlings with 250w hps and fluorescent and 2 58w osram cool whites but i think 4000 K is to little
Can i also use 58w osram sky white since i found the lights in my basement or should i buy some 6500 K? Any other suggestions?

Cole_Robbie · February 6, 2015

HPS is supposed to be the wrong light for seedlings, because the light is red, but I have used them with good results. I did not get leggy plants at all.

I don't know the lumen count on each of your lights, but I would guess most of your lumens are from the HPS light. The flourescents would balance out your spectrum and add additional point sources, which is also beneficial. The lights you have are probably fine.

Snowman · February 7, 2015

The lumen of cool whites and sky whites is the same-4800 each. Is 8000K better than 4500K for the seedlings. I know optimum should be around 6000K.

Tapout · February 7, 2015

I use grow lights what you want for the vegetative stage is blue light spectrum. This link will explain everything in detail. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grow_light

RJGlew · February 7, 2015

http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....6&postcount=12
http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....34&postcount=9
http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....29&postcount=7
http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....93&postcount=2

January 31, 2015	#1
Ed of Somis Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somis, Ca Posts: 649	Lighting seedlings...advanced question When I bought bulbs (florescent) for my shop light in the past ...I used both 6000k (standard) and 3000k bulbs (trying for "full spectrum"). The 3k light seems almost pink and less bright. I wonder if I might be better off using just 6000k bulbs???

January 31, 2015	#5
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Ed, I use 5500K power Twist full spectrum T12's and 6700K CFL's. As we are growing the seedlings under light for 4-6 weeks there is no need for the 3000K Warm Lights. Anything from 5000K and up should work fine. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

January 31, 2015	#2
JJJessee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Abingdon, Va Posts: 184	The 6000 is probably 6500. I use and have heard the 6500s are the best that are readily available.

January 31, 2015	#3
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I buy "cool white" spiral flourescents. I don't think seedlings need full spectrum. Red light would be more for flowering and fruiting.

February 6, 2015	#7
Snowman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Slovenia Posts: 4	Since I have a similar question i'll use this thread. I grow my seedlings with 250w hps and fluorescent and 2 58w osram cool whites but i think 4000 K is to little Can i also use 58w osram sky white since i found the lights in my basement or should i buy some 6500 K? Any other suggestions?

February 7, 2015	#9
Snowman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Slovenia Posts: 4	The lumen of cool whites and sky whites is the same-4800 each. Is 8000K better than 4500K for the seedlings. I know optimum should be around 6000K.

February 7, 2015	#10
Tapout Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2012 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 355	I use grow lights what you want for the vegetative stage is blue light spectrum. This link will explain everything in detail. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grow_light

February 7, 2015	#11
RJGlew Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 645	http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....6&postcount=12 http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....34&postcount=9 http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....29&postcount=7 http://www.tomatoville.com/showpost....93&postcount=2