Fluorescent Lighting For Seedlings - No Longer In "DENIAL" (pics) - Page 3

Sun City Linda · March 17, 2012

[QUOTE=mysidx;254626]I recently realized that I need more light fixtures, after running out of room for my transplants, and back up seedlings that I just started. I don't see how Craig has so many flats of plants with only two shop lights, and how they don't suffer from insufficient light.[/QUOTE]

Seems to me he posted he does the same as I do, carries them outside as soon as they pop up and brings those babies in if it get to close to frost.

Linda

Michael · March 19, 2012

System looks good, but lamps need to be about 2" above what you are growing, to promote the most husky plants (they stretch to light).

SEAMSFASTER · March 21, 2012

Good news - a grower with 4 acres wants me to raise about 6,500 additional starts! That means more lights, space, $ and satisfaction.

We built a six-level light stand with 17 fixtures and 34 T-12 bulbs (cost for materials <$300). It can hold 24 1020-size trays and is filling up fast!

I'm using a lot of 288 plug trays, so theoretically this setup could hold >6,900 seedlings simultaneously. Of course they can stay there only for a couple of weeks, then it's transplanting time and moving to a makeshift greenhouse.

Elizabeth · March 21, 2012

That's great news!

janezee · March 22, 2012

Fantastic! Congratulations, and best of luck!

roper2008 · March 22, 2012

I buy the shop lights at Lowe's and the T8's in a twin pack. The T8 bulb's
are something like 7.97 for the twin pack. Not very expensive.

Bladefan · April 10, 2012

I used regular work light fixtures with 100 watt daylight CF bulbs with great success this year... very cheap and works great...

DogsandDirt · April 10, 2012

Raybo, where did you find the base to support multiple Jump Start lights? I have the 48" light set but the based only supports 1 light.

mr_gentleman · April 11, 2012

I think I'm going to upgrade to a 400W Metal Halide system...

SEAMSFASTER · April 16, 2012

Here's my larger light stand at full capacity:

Except these two trays:

These are the first two of 25+ 288 plug trays. More than ready to transfer to pots, 557 of 576 germination, all from seeds I saved last year using the fermentation method. Some others have not done so well.

Time is scarce, but I had some great help yesterday and we got nearly 1,000 pepper seedlings into pots then under the metal halide lights:

Yup, it's a jungle in here!

Michael · April 17, 2012

Wow! My experience is that you will need to spread out plants once they get bigger, and use a fan on them several hours a day to toughen them up. That may be your biggest challenge. When they grow together, they aren't strong enough to stand up on their own. Good Luck.

newwine · April 18, 2012

wow that looks really amaxing where do you get that jumpstart from /can I use it in a garage

Riceloft · April 19, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by DogsandDirt

Raybo, where did you find the base to support multiple Jump Start lights? I have the 48" light set but the based only supports 1 light.

I'm guessing he did a little DIY'ing.

March 21, 2012	#34
Elizabeth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Diego Coastal - Zone 10b Posts: 193	That's great news! __________________ Elizabeth If I'm going to water and care for a plant it had better give me food, flowers or shade.

April 11, 2012	#39
mr_gentleman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 29	I think I'm going to upgrade to a 400W Metal Halide system... __________________ "A man's interest in a single bluebird is worth more than a complete but dry list of the fauna and flora of a town. "

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March 17, 2012	#31
Sun City Linda Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: SoCal Inland Posts: 1,224	[QUOTE=mysidx;254626]I recently realized that I need more light fixtures, after running out of room for my transplants, and back up seedlings that I just started. I don't see how Craig has so many flats of plants with only two shop lights, and how they don't suffer from insufficient light.[/QUOTE] Seems to me he posted he does the same as I do, carries them outside as soon as they pop up and brings those babies in if it get to close to frost. Linda

March 19, 2012	#32
Michael Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Northern MO Posts: 10	System looks good, but lamps need to be about 2" above what you are growing, to promote the most husky plants (they stretch to light).

March 21, 2012	#33
SEAMSFASTER Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: West Valley City, Utah Posts: 150	Good news - a grower with 4 acres wants me to raise about 6,500 additional starts! That means more lights, space, $ and satisfaction. We built a six-level light stand with 17 fixtures and 34 T-12 bulbs (cost for materials <$300). It can hold 24 1020-size trays and is filling up fast! I'm using a lot of 288 plug trays, so theoretically this setup could hold >6,900 seedlings simultaneously. Of course they can stay there only for a couple of weeks, then it's transplanting time and moving to a makeshift greenhouse.

March 22, 2012	#35
janezee Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Whidbey Island, WA Zone 7, Sunset 5 Posts: 932	Fantastic! Congratulations, and best of luck!

March 22, 2012	#36
roper2008 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 653	I buy the shop lights at Lowe's and the T8's in a twin pack. The T8 bulb's are something like 7.97 for the twin pack. Not very expensive.

April 10, 2012	#37
Bladefan Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Loomis, CA Posts: 49	I used regular work light fixtures with 100 watt daylight CF bulbs with great success this year... very cheap and works great...

April 10, 2012	#38
DogsandDirt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Dallas/FortWorth, TX Posts: 109	Raybo, where did you find the base to support multiple Jump Start lights? I have the 48" light set but the based only supports 1 light.

April 16, 2012	#40
SEAMSFASTER Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: West Valley City, Utah Posts: 150	Here's my larger light stand at full capacity: Except these two trays: These are the first two of 25+ 288 plug trays. More than ready to transfer to pots, 557 of 576 germination, all from seeds I saved last year using the fermentation method. Some others have not done so well. Time is scarce, but I had some great help yesterday and we got nearly 1,000 pepper seedlings into pots then under the metal halide lights: Yup, it's a jungle in here!

April 17, 2012	#41
Michael Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Northern MO Posts: 10	Wow! My experience is that you will need to spread out plants once they get bigger, and use a fan on them several hours a day to toughen them up. That may be your biggest challenge. When they grow together, they aren't strong enough to stand up on their own. Good Luck.

April 18, 2012	#42
newwine Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 10	wow that looks really amaxing where do you get that jumpstart from /can I use it in a garage