Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Posts: 3,099
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So I decided to finally get a real grow rack set up this year. I got T8 fixtures. My question is can I have a gap in the middle? I think it's probably fine but wanted to make sure. I been using huge 10ft warehouse lights for years, they were 4 foot wide so 2 lights covered a flat easily. Here are pics.
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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Used to do it with only two fixtures with T 12's four lights all together just like that.
Worth |
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#3 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Mojave Desert - California
Posts: 368
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I have two racks just like that. when i first started i used two lamps but also worried about the gap so bought a third on for each level. seedlings grew better with less leggy-ness in my observation.
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
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The plants on the outside will just lean a little toward the light. It's not a big deal.
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#5 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Alabama
Posts: 2,250
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Add a third light fixture to provide 6 bulbs to increase growth of the plants, reduce the number of leggy seedlings, and reduce problems with soil fungi. I tried growing seedlings with 2 bulbs, 4 bulbs, 6 bulbs, and 8 bulbs. There are problems with 2 and 4 while 8 does not gain any significant benefit. I now use 6 bulbs over each group of trays in my light stand.
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#6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7
Posts: 4,916
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It depend on how you place the trays/plants under the light. For example, you can have separate arrangement under each fixture. In this case the spacing does not make a difference.
But if you want a continuous shared coverage then the gap can be discussed. I use 2 sometimes 3 sets of T8 . As the plants grow , I adjust each one set separately to accommodate plants of different height ( short peppers, tall tomatoes ) underneath. In my arrangement plants are stationary (on the floor) and the light get adjusted. The of course this process is just about 6 weeks. Gardeneer |
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#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Posts: 3,099
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Thanks all. I already added a 3rd in the middle because I want full coverage for 4 flats of seedlings per rack, and well I trust Fusion. I would rather not take chances as I plan on really going all out on selling plants at the Farmers market this year.
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#8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7
Posts: 4,916
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BVV, That is good .
When Do you get started sowing ? I have done gardening in North Atlanta. I used to plant out late March, early April. But then I was pushing the envelope b/c our LFD was around April 7. I think SC has a similar climate to Atlanta. I remember one year we had a freeze on April 12. But I saved all my tomatoes,, potatoes.. Good luck with your new grow system. Gardeneer. |
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#9 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Posts: 3,099
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Well I want to start my Carolina Reapers and other superhots soon to make sure they produce well before seasons end. But tomatoes I plan start around mid Feb or so. It will depend on when others at the market plan to start selling them TBH. My gut feeling about the weather plays a role too but who knows what the weather will do nowadays. I have had tomatoes in the ground in March before and they were fine, but I have lost them after April 15th as well, so its always a roll of the dice.
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#10 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Zone 6a Denver North Metro
Posts: 1,910
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And what Fusion's saying goes hand in hand with the sweet spot in efficiency of 3000 to 5000 lumens per square foot I keep reading about.
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#11 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Omaha Zone 5
Posts: 2,514
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![]() Quote:
- Lisa |
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#12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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When I had my tube type lights I always wanted another set so I would have six lights but never did it.
One of the reasons was I knew the CFL lights were coming out and wanted to try them. I have looked on line for pictures and haven't found a set up like mine at all. The only other person I know who has something like mine is the guy that works at Home Depot who is a retired electrician. He built a little indoor garden for his aging father. ![]() The advantage is I can up the wattage, with tube lights you are restricted. The disadvantage is you will have to build it. Worth |
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#13 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Greenville, South Carolina
Posts: 3,099
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Do you have pics of your setup on here somewhere Worth?
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#14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Den of Drunken Fools
Posts: 38,539
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Yes I do.
A whole thread plus the thread about my tomatoes and peppers. http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=38988 Last edited by Worth1; January 7, 2016 at 02:05 PM. |
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#15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NC - zone 8a - heat zone 7
Posts: 4,916
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Worth, what is the wattage of those CFL and their Kelvin rating ?
Gardeneer |
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