Raybo's (Leak-proof) InnTainers - Doing It In The Bedroom (pics)

[les matzek]

hydrofarm (ryan)said that most market growers that
they sell to always use mh to the start of flowering
then switch hps or what works better!! is mh and hps
there lighting is between 8 and ten foot above the
plants.

les

[rnewste]

MJ and les,

Thanks for the suggestions. It is my understanding that for tomatoes, the more general spectrum light as I have, will cover all phases of the tomato plant's growth cycle. The HydroFarm guy may be correct when it comes to other types of plants (which I am not interested in growing). I really don't want to have to fool around with two different bulb systems. This is supposed to be an educational (for me) and fun project.

Raybo

[MJACTIVIST]

lesandninamatzek-
Well Ryan from hydrofarm is correct, but you have to remember what most indoor growing equipment is used for. It's not tomatoes.
MH is good for photoperiodism plants that need a vegetative stage. Tomatoes don’t have a vegetative stage. Once they get to certain maturity they produce fruits.
The MH is designed after the sun wavelength early in the year. HPS was designed after the sun wavelength late near harvest time.
Hope this helps
L8
MJ

[les matzek]

shure tomatoes have a vegetative state just like most
veggies if they did not they would fruit after the first
true leafs grew!!, 80 percent of all super market
tomatoes are grown in greenhouses like ryan staded
above,regards.

[MJACTIVIST]

Maybe I'm explaining it wrong or something, but that’s not what I meant lesandninamatzek.
This is - once they are mature they will fruit, no stopping it. You cannot hold tomato plants in a vegetative state. Where they continue to grow, but don't produce fruit.
The reason people use MH is b/c its better for vegetative growth. Here’s a graph that shows both the MHhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Me...p_Spectrum.jpg and HPShttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Hi...p_Spectrum.jpg output spectrum. As you can see MH has way more blue, violet and green. And the HPS has much more red and orange.
And a question for Ryan about vegetative growth in tomatoes. When does vegetative growth end? How would you know when to switch bulbs? It’s not like your changing lighting from 24/7 to 12/12 like with a photoperiodism plant.
L8
MJ

　

[les matzek]

as the buds are starting to appear that is when the big
tomato growers switch to hps lighting and this is the
way i use to do it also with very very good results i no
longer grow under grow lights all the time in my 12x16 greenhouse to heigh of light bills.but i still grow all my
seedlings under a 1000 watt mh on a light mover les

[rnewste]

In any event guys, I am seeing interesting growth just over the past 4 day period. Here is the Dona plant on Dec 16:



And here is the same plant today, Dec 20:



Slightly different photo angle, but I think the growth is fantastic. I'll document weekly progress taking the photos from the same position from now on.

Happy Camper!!

Raybo

[les matzek]

sorry ray i did not mean to pirate your thread,regards.

les

[JoAnne]

I use a normal (cheap) electric toothbrush to pollinate inside the greenhouse. It's easy, quick, and very effective, as long as you remember to keep it charged.

[dustdevil]

Raybo,

One last thing to do and you're done...move in the beehive

When you use your electric toothbrush bee, the gentle hummmmm of the real bees will make the experience more fulfilling for your tomatoes. Don't forget to dim the light.

Dust

[rnewste]

Originally Posted by dustdevil

Raybo,

When you use your electric toothbrush bee, the gentle hummmmm of the real bees will make the experience more fulfilling for your tomatoes. Don't forget to dim the light.

Dust

Dust,

Are you suggesting I put on a Barry White CD as well?

Raybo

[dustdevil]

Raybo,

Watching shooting stars through the skylight and Barry White on the cd player, no wonder you have 14 kids

Dust

[bigbubbacain]

Originally Posted by tam91

Off topic, but I gotta do it - bigbubbacain, I LOVE your avatar.

Thanks! My only good pic.

[rnewste]

bigbubba,

I think Tam was speaking about your dog.....

Raybo

[tam91]

ROFL now Ray, you probably just spoiled his whole day!