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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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Old March 17, 2012   #31
Sun City Linda
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[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
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Old March 19, 2012   #32
Michael
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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).
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Old March 21, 2012   #33
SEAMSFASTER
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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.



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Old March 21, 2012   #34
Elizabeth
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That's great news!
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Old March 22, 2012   #35
janezee
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Fantastic! Congratulations, and best of luck!
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Old March 22, 2012   #36
roper2008
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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.
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Old April 10, 2012   #37
Bladefan
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I used regular work light fixtures with 100 watt daylight CF bulbs with great success this year... very cheap and works great...
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Old April 10, 2012   #38
DogsandDirt
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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.
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Old April 11, 2012   #39
mr_gentleman
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I think I'm going to upgrade to a 400W Metal Halide system...
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Old April 16, 2012   #40
SEAMSFASTER
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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!
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Old April 17, 2012   #41
Michael
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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.
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Old April 18, 2012   #42
newwine
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wow that looks really amaxing where do you get that jumpstart from /can I use it in a garage
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Old April 19, 2012   #43
Riceloft
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DogsandDirt View Post
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.
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