New to growing your own tomatoes? This is the forum to learn the successful techniques used by seasoned tomato growers. Questions are welcome, too.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glen Carbon, IL Near St. Louis, Zone 6a
Posts: 8
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I usually grow six plants each season, two each of three varieties. I start them from seed using a Brupee XL self watering tray and four 40w T12 daylight lamps. My problem is that even though I keep the lights within an inch of the plants I still end up with leggy plants.
I've been thinking of what I might change next season and have come up with two possible changes. One change is to replace the florescent lamps with a full spectrum LED panel and the second is to use the cold treatment. The light I'm looking at is the Spider Farmer SF-600. What I'm looking for here is any advice you might have about using panels and anything you know about the particular panel. Thanks, Terry |
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Seattle
Posts: 58
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I’ve started my seedlings with a 45W led panel, big enough to light a standard 10x20 nursery tray. It grows robust starts, and is plenty to get your plants started before going outside. I think the higher power LEDs are really only necessary if you plant to do an actual indoor grow.
The one I got is called “Root Farm” to get an idea of what works for me. |
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2021
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 21
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I use triple chip LED lights myself, works well. I have 3x Mieemclux 1500w
One of them will cover like 2 flats of seedlings, or 2 dwarf tomato plants, etc. I got these a year ago, the technology changes fast so there could be a better product now but I'm quite happy with these. You can daisy chain up to 3 together as well. The pic below is just one light, I took the other 2 down for now. ![]() |
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Madison, OH, zone 6
Posts: 468
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https://www.amazon.com/SZHLUX-Spectr...ps%2C82&sr=8-6
I'm trying out this new grow light for the upcoming season. Dan
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Dan |
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Ontario
Posts: 3,892
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I had a horrible time with my Root Farm LED light. Last winter it burned everything. At first I thought the problem was that I was switching from another light to the LED, and also that the plants were too close, but this year I kept the light a good 8-9 inches above my micro tomatoes yet it still burned them. I put them under T8 lights and tried growing lettuce under the LED's, but that didn't do so well either
![]() I'm so glad that I grow my tomato and pepper starts under T5's. Linda |
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#6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Madison, OH, zone 6
Posts: 468
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Linda
I have used a 4 light T8 shop fixture for 9-10 years now with pretty good results for tomato, pepper and lettuce. Last year I tried out an LED light with pretty good results so I thought I'd continue to experiment with LED's. Dan
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Dan |
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#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Zone 6 - CT
Posts: 155
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I've been looking at the Spider Farmer site for lights myself. I've been using 4 T8 bulbs successfully in my basement for starting tomatoes, peppers, eggplant. The SF600 would use 56% of the energy I am now using. Haven't jumped on it yet, but am interesting in LEDs....
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#8 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Madison, OH, zone 6
Posts: 468
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Yes I looked at this one also and it looks good to me. Since the light I just received doesn't work right out of the box I may be looking for an alternate. I'll see if the replacement I get does the job or not. ![]() Dan
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Dan |
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#9 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Madison, OH, zone 6
Posts: 468
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Dan |
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#10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Zone 6 - CT
Posts: 155
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I did look at the lights you posted - bummer one did not work. I also looked at Mars Hydro VG80 but I like the SF600's better, or so I think right now - I keep going back and forth but will order something soon. Have you seen the Mars Hydro lights? Any thoughts there?
Last edited by CrazyAboutOrchids; January 16, 2023 at 10:38 AM. |
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#11 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Madison, OH, zone 6
Posts: 468
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Dan
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Dan Last edited by Yak54; January 16, 2023 at 12:41 PM. |
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#12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Zone 6 - CT
Posts: 155
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Will let you know what I think... I bit the bullet and placed the order after MONTHS of waffling....
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#13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Madison, OH, zone 6
Posts: 468
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Thanks....I hope you'll share with us your experience using it.
![]() Dan
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Dan |
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#14 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Madison, OH, zone 6
Posts: 468
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Imagine that ! How do you say Quality Control in Chinese ?????? ![]() ![]() ![]()
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Dan |
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#15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Zone 6 - CT
Posts: 155
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Argh!!! Not just quality control out of the box - but what does it say for longevity? I have been successful ordering Nicrew LED lights for my aquarium - I assume they, too, are made in China. My SF600's are due for delivery today. Will post initial thoughts and some pics today or tomorrow.
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