Best Light Spectrum for growing seedlings

amideutch · March 9, 2012

This year I will be growing less seedlings due to space limitations and since my lighting setup is to big for my growing space I decided to look into LED lighting. As I will be using this unit for seedling growth only I wanted to find out what wavelength would be the best as one nice thing about LED's is it is very easy to select different light spectrums just by getting the appropriate color LED's.

Here is the wavelengths for the different colors.

470nm=Blue
525nm=Green
590nm=yellow
625nm=Red

I found this site that breaks down the different Wavelengths and what works best for the different phases of plant growth.

http://blog.globalhardwarestore.com/...row-system.pdf

So for my unit I will select one with Blue LED's which are in the 470nm range.
Ami

Michael · March 14, 2012

I have sold lighting for 40 years, but only into gardening for 10 years (I am pretty serious about my gardening). I like to use fluorescent, using 4-lamp 2 x 4 troffers with no lens, alternating between 850k and 830k lamps. These are pendant mounted with chain, 2" above plants, once germinated. This has worked very well for me in the past several years. LED is pretty expensive, and depending on which lamp you use, can be concentrated, with much lower light output. While I may not have as much experience as some of you, I have a lot of information available to me.

Diriel · March 14, 2012

Michael,

I am new to gardening really. Over the years I have Planted a few basic dirt gardens that mostly did well. I live in So.Cal. so its pretty easy really. That being said, I find these days that heirlooms from seed really appeal to me. I would like to figure out a "Good" general setup for seedlings and young plants. Are there any setups that "Harden" the young plants a little better so that when I take them outside to harden off I do not have to be quite as paranoid?

Thanks all for any assistance!
Gary

Michael · March 14, 2012

I don't know of any magic for hardening off. I have a deck with an 8' overhang, and set them out in a shaded area for a day or two. Then, put them on our picnic table a few hours at a time in the sun. The sun time increases, as they get older. I take about 10 days to get them ready for the garden. Bringing them in at night when the forecast warrants.

Tracydr · March 14, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael

I don't know of any magic for hardening off. I have a deck with an 8' overhang, and set them out in a shaded area for a day or two. Then, put them on our picnic table a few hours at a time in the sun. The sun time increases, as they get older. I take about 10 days to get them ready for the garden. Bringing them in at night when the forecast warrants.

I do the same. I also try to grow them outside in nicer weather, bringing in when nights are cool.

Diriel · March 15, 2012

Thanks guys, I will just be extra careful with them. Even my wife is getting excited about having a garden, and normally she is just kind of "Meh" about such things. This might just turn into a nice year!

Gary

March 9, 2012	#1
amideutch Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E Posts: 5,041	Best Light Spectrum for growing seedlings This year I will be growing less seedlings due to space limitations and since my lighting setup is to big for my growing space I decided to look into LED lighting. As I will be using this unit for seedling growth only I wanted to find out what wavelength would be the best as one nice thing about LED's is it is very easy to select different light spectrums just by getting the appropriate color LED's. Here is the wavelengths for the different colors. 470nm=Blue 525nm=Green 590nm=yellow 625nm=Red I found this site that breaks down the different Wavelengths and what works best for the different phases of plant growth. http://blog.globalhardwarestore.com/...row-system.pdf So for my unit I will select one with Blue LED's which are in the 470nm range. Ami __________________ Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!'

March 14, 2012	#2
Michael Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Northern MO Posts: 10	Michael01 / LED Lighting VS Fluorescent I have sold lighting for 40 years, but only into gardening for 10 years (I am pretty serious about my gardening). I like to use fluorescent, using 4-lamp 2 x 4 troffers with no lens, alternating between 850k and 830k lamps. These are pendant mounted with chain, 2" above plants, once germinated. This has worked very well for me in the past several years. LED is pretty expensive, and depending on which lamp you use, can be concentrated, with much lower light output. While I may not have as much experience as some of you, I have a lot of information available to me.

March 14, 2012	#3
Diriel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Central OK, USDA-7a / AHS-8 Posts: 157	Michael, I am new to gardening really. Over the years I have Planted a few basic dirt gardens that mostly did well. I live in So.Cal. so its pretty easy really. That being said, I find these days that heirlooms from seed really appeal to me. I would like to figure out a "Good" general setup for seedlings and young plants. Are there any setups that "Harden" the young plants a little better so that when I take them outside to harden off I do not have to be quite as paranoid? Thanks all for any assistance! Gary

March 15, 2012	#6
Diriel Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Central OK, USDA-7a / AHS-8 Posts: 157	Thanks guys, I will just be extra careful with them. Even my wife is getting excited about having a garden, and normally she is just kind of "Meh" about such things. This might just turn into a nice year! Gary