Budget Seedling Chamber

organichris · February 25, 2011

I built one of these a few years ago and it worked well, so I went back to it this year due to the fact that I am running out of space. Basically it is a foil-lined storage container with two 100 watt compact fluorescent lights inside. The first one I built was with a tube, but I think the CFL's actually work better for this project.

The idea of the foil is to both contain and reflect the light so that you get the full advantage of it.

The drawbacks are no air circulation and high, uncontrollable humidity. But hey, if you're on a budget and/or are running out of space like me, you can put this in a corner somewhere and your plants will grow well. You will need to take them out to let the container dry out and give the plants some fresh air.

organichris · March 4, 2011

Eight days later...

**Lee** · March 4, 2011

Very cool... Seems to be working out quite well for you.
So, do when do you take them out of the container to "dry out"? And how long
do you usually keep them out? It doesn't look like you are getting any damping
off or other "high humidity" issues.
And I guess with the CFLs, you don't have to worry about the temperature like
you would with other type of bulbs....

Lee

organichris · March 4, 2011

I've ventilated the unit twice in the last 8 days. Temperature can be an issue if it is above 75 indoors, but I could just move it to the basement where my other plants are if that were to happen.

I let them have a couple days of sunlight as well.

newatthiskat · March 4, 2011

Your plants are looking great. That is a super idea on a tight budget. Might try something like it next year to get an earlier start
Good Work!
Kat

kath · March 4, 2011

If you keep them in darkness for part of the day, couldn't you just leave the lid off then and maybe allow a fan to blow on them a bit?

organichris · March 5, 2011

Yes. I did that with the first one I built a few years ago, but haven't done it this time around. It has crossed my mind, but I haven't got around to doing it. Too busy (lazy) I guess. Even still, I'll be taking them out periodically for sunlight on warmer days.

March 4, 2011	#3
Lee Tomatopalooza™ Moderator Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NC-Zone 7 Posts: 2,186	Very cool... Seems to be working out quite well for you. So, do when do you take them out of the container to "dry out"? And how long do you usually keep them out? It doesn't look like you are getting any damping off or other "high humidity" issues. And I guess with the CFLs, you don't have to worry about the temperature like you would with other type of bulbs.... 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.

March 4, 2011	#5
newatthiskat Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: texas Posts: 1,451	reply Your plants are looking great. That is a super idea on a tight budget. Might try something like it next year to get an earlier start Good Work! Kat

March 4, 2011	#4
organichris Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 630	I've ventilated the unit twice in the last 8 days. Temperature can be an issue if it is above 75 indoors, but I could just move it to the basement where my other plants are if that were to happen. I let them have a couple days of sunlight as well.

March 4, 2011	#6
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	If you keep them in darkness for part of the day, couldn't you just leave the lid off then and maybe allow a fan to blow on them a bit?

March 5, 2011	#7
organichris Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 630	Yes. I did that with the first one I built a few years ago, but haven't done it this time around. It has crossed my mind, but I haven't got around to doing it. Too busy (lazy) I guess. Even still, I'll be taking them out periodically for sunlight on warmer days.