Fluorescent Light Question

ferger1 · February 5, 2008

I am a new gardener and would like to know how many watts you use in your lights. And how close you keep the light to your seedlings.
Thank You All!

robin303 · February 5, 2008

I would use one fluorescent bulb and one grow light bulb [seen them at Home Depot $10] Keep the lights 2 to 3" from the tops.

ferger1 · February 5, 2008

Thank You For all your help. Being new to this, I have alot of questions.

**Lee** · February 5, 2008

My setup has two "shop light fixtures" with 2 40W regular
flourescents per fixture.
I keep the bulbs ~ 1" from the tops of the plants as they grow.
I use chains to raise the fixtures as the plants get taller.

Lee

cottonpicker · February 5, 2008

"DITTO" to what Lee just wrote.

LarryD

epiphanista · February 5, 2008

...ditto ditto, and I also use one 'warm' bulb and one 'cool' bulb. I think this is supposed to be closer to sunlight. Don't know, but the seedlings like it!

~Thalia

Worth1 · February 5, 2008

I use 2 fixtures that hold 2 - 4 foot 40 watt daylight bulbs, I can’t remember what the lumens are but they are higher than most.
A total of 4 - 40 watt bulbs.
I then put 4 jiffy 72 cell starter trays side by side under the lights.

The lights are then suspended from the ceiling in the garage with a pulley system with chains for adjustment.

I keep the lights from just touching the plants, about ½ inch space.

In Texas as soon as most of the plants have sprouted they go outside during the day for some real sun.
If it doesn’t get below freezing they stay out at night.
Sure the plants are purple but as soon as it warms up they will take in nutrients and turn green.

With this method I don’t have to worry about hardening off the plants and they get a good breeze to make them sturdy.

Worth

ferger1 · February 5, 2008

Thank You all for your help, it means alot

tuk50 · February 5, 2008

Ditto to what worth said. I had a strong wind come through the other day and about up rooted the whole batch and they are surrounded by plywood, lost 3 out of about a hundred. I also have trouble with birds so I have to use 1/4 in mesh wire over the top of the babies. Even though I use the florescent, I also keep them sitting in a south facing window till first true leaves are formed then start moving outside.8)

February 5, 2008	#1
ferger1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Boston, Va Posts: 14	Fluorescent Light Question I am a new gardener and would like to know how many watts you use in your lights. And how close you keep the light to your seedlings. Thank You All! __________________ Rufiesmom

February 5, 2008	#3
ferger1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Boston, Va Posts: 14	Thank You For all your help. Being new to this, I have alot of questions. __________________ Rufiesmom

February 5, 2008	#4
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,188	My setup has two "shop light fixtures" with 2 40W regular flourescents per fixture. I keep the bulbs ~ 1" from the tops of the plants as they grow. I use chains to raise the fixtures as the plants get taller. Lee __________________ Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put one in a fruit salad. Cuostralee - The best thing on sliced bread.

February 5, 2008	#5
cottonpicker Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SE PA..near Valley Forge Posts: 839	"DITTO" to what Lee just wrote. LarryD __________________ "Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause". Victor Hugo

February 5, 2008	#8
ferger1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Boston, Va Posts: 14	Thank You all for your help, it means alot __________________ Rufiesmom

February 5, 2008	#2
robin303 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Austin, TX Zone 8b Posts: 531	I would use one fluorescent bulb and one grow light bulb [seen them at Home Depot $10] Keep the lights 2 to 3" from the tops.

February 5, 2008	#6
epiphanista Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Santa Barbara CA Posts: 75	...ditto ditto, and I also use one 'warm' bulb and one 'cool' bulb. I think this is supposed to be closer to sunlight. Don't know, but the seedlings like it! ~Thalia

February 5, 2008	#7
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I use 2 fixtures that hold 2 - 4 foot 40 watt daylight bulbs, I can’t remember what the lumens are but they are higher than most. A total of 4 - 40 watt bulbs. I then put 4 jiffy 72 cell starter trays side by side under the lights. The lights are then suspended from the ceiling in the garage with a pulley system with chains for adjustment. I keep the lights from just touching the plants, about ½ inch space. In Texas as soon as most of the plants have sprouted they go outside during the day for some real sun. If it doesn’t get below freezing they stay out at night. Sure the plants are purple but as soon as it warms up they will take in nutrients and turn green. With this method I don’t have to worry about hardening off the plants and they get a good breeze to make them sturdy. Worth

February 5, 2008	#9
tuk50 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Tucson, Arizona (catalina) Posts: 413	Ditto to what worth said. I had a strong wind come through the other day and about up rooted the whole batch and they are surrounded by plywood, lost 3 out of about a hundred. I also have trouble with birds so I have to use 1/4 in mesh wire over the top of the babies. Even though I use the florescent, I also keep them sitting in a south facing window till first true leaves are formed then start moving outside.8)