Comments on: Plant Grow Lights http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/ Featuring Vegetable Gardening Tips, Organic Growing Techniques, and Unique Plants for the Backyard Gardener Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:44:49 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Grow Lights Make Your Plants Grow! http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-98974 Grow Lights Make Your Plants Grow! Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:07:29 +0000 http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-98974 <strong>Why Grow Light Height is Important...</strong> Anyone who has tried starting seeds in front of a sunny window is an eye witness to what plants do when their light source is too week. Just having a grow light is not the full secret to successful indoor gardening. It does tell them to stretch up ... Why Grow Light Height is Important…

Anyone who has tried starting seeds in front of a sunny window is an eye witness to what plants do when their light source is too week. Just having a grow light is not the full secret to successful indoor gardening. It does tell them to stretch up …

]]> By: Kenny Point http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-85921 Kenny Point Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:11:28 +0000 http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-85921 I'm happy with my light cart even though I have the two tube light fixtures and I'm sure there's also a trade off with more electricity usage with four tubes, not to mention the higher initial cost that you noted. I've used different bulbs and can't say that I have a favorite. I usually mix it up and even combine different brands in the same fixtures. I spend a little extra to purchase the "grow" type tubes even though many indoor seed starters say they don't matter and seem to raise decent seedlings using the ordinary florescent tubes. I’m happy with my light cart even though I have the two tube light fixtures and I’m sure there’s also a trade off with more electricity usage with four tubes, not to mention the higher initial cost that you noted. I’ve used different bulbs and can’t say that I have a favorite. I usually mix it up and even combine different brands in the same fixtures. I spend a little extra to purchase the “grow” type tubes even though many indoor seed starters say they don’t matter and seem to raise decent seedlings using the ordinary florescent tubes.

]]> By: tanay marquette http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-85809 tanay marquette Sun, 01 Feb 2009 21:35:53 +0000 http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-85809 Kenny Did not feed the seedlings. The new soil this winter is a good growing soil but i may add some fish fertilizer and/or kelp to the water now, after 4 weeks. What i am getting is the old saying that you get what you pay for so i need to save up for a better system. I did price out a 4 bulb light online but it was so expensive that i held off buying it now. But that will be the solution. As for bulbs, are there some brands or wattage that are better to buy? Kenny

Did not feed the seedlings. The new soil this winter is a good growing soil but i may add some fish fertilizer and/or kelp to the water now, after 4 weeks.

What i am getting is the old saying that you get what you pay for so i need to save up for a better system. I did price out a 4 bulb light online but it was so expensive that i held off buying it now. But that will be the solution.

As for bulbs, are there some brands or wattage that are better to buy?

]]> By: Kenny Point http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-85794 Kenny Point Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:16:16 +0000 http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-85794 Hi Tanya, I have a similar light setup and experience the same thing with seedlings growing along the edges of the trays under the lights. I place my seedlings closer and also turn my seedling flats lengthwise under the grow lights so that more of the plants receive light from the central area of the grow tubes. It reduces the number of seedlings that you can start but the seem to grow better and stockier. That's one of the advantages of the four tube fixtures. I don't know what the problem was with your beet seedlings. Did you feed the lettuce plants at all? The rapid and weak growth for the tomatoes and collards definitely sounds like they were not getting enough light. I would try again with all of the plants and experiment with setting the lights closer or even try a different brand of lights. Hi Tanya, I have a similar light setup and experience the same thing with seedlings growing along the edges of the trays under the lights. I place my seedlings closer and also turn my seedling flats lengthwise under the grow lights so that more of the plants receive light from the central area of the grow tubes. It reduces the number of seedlings that you can start but the seem to grow better and stockier. That’s one of the advantages of the four tube fixtures. I don’t know what the problem was with your beet seedlings. Did you feed the lettuce plants at all? The rapid and weak growth for the tomatoes and collards definitely sounds like they were not getting enough light. I would try again with all of the plants and experiment with setting the lights closer or even try a different brand of lights.

]]> By: tanya http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-85428 tanya Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:48:33 +0000 http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-85428 i have been experimenting with indoor grow lights and have run into some problems. last month i tried some lettuce for winter eating. the seeds sprouted within 3 days (without extra light). i have a 2 bulb/4 ft system which gives me some grief. if i put the light very close to the seedlings, then only the plants directly under the light are affected. the plants to the outside of the light fixture receive no benefit and and are leggy and weak. the ones under the light are not much better. the lamp is about 3-4" above the seedlings. by now i should be able to pick some lettuce, but the plants are very small and just beginning to put out true leaves. another problem i had last spring is that several seedlings did not grow at all. my tomato plants and collards, for example, did very well but even too quickly. beets on the other hand sprouted very quickly and NEVER set true leaves. it seems there are some guidelines that i need to know but cannot seem to find anywheres. any advice/info? i have been experimenting with indoor grow lights and have run into some problems. last month i tried some lettuce for winter eating. the seeds sprouted within 3 days (without extra light). i have a 2 bulb/4 ft system which gives me some grief.
if i put the light very close to the seedlings, then only the plants directly under the light are affected. the plants to the outside of the light fixture receive no benefit and and are leggy and weak. the ones under the light are not much better.

the lamp is about 3-4″ above the seedlings. by now i should be able to pick some lettuce, but the plants are very small and just beginning to put out true leaves.

another problem i had last spring is that several seedlings did not grow at all. my tomato plants and collards, for example, did very well but even too quickly. beets on the other hand sprouted very quickly and NEVER set true leaves.

it seems there are some guidelines that i need to know but cannot seem to find anywheres. any advice/info?

]]> By: Kenny Point http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-85369 Kenny Point Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:17:05 +0000 http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-85369 Hi Stevie, I set my lights pretty close, about an inch or two above the seedlings, and I raise the lights as the plants grow. If your seedlings grow leggy and spindly your lights are not close enough or they are not providing enough light to the plants. Hi Stevie, I set my lights pretty close, about an inch or two above the seedlings, and I raise the lights as the plants grow. If your seedlings grow leggy and spindly your lights are not close enough or they are not providing enough light to the plants.

]]> By: stevie b http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-85282 stevie b Fri, 23 Jan 2009 19:48:49 +0000 http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-85282 Can someone tell me what heights to set the grow lights at for seedlings? Can someone tell me what heights to set the grow lights at for seedlings?

]]> By: PJ http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-53095 PJ Sun, 02 Mar 2008 04:06:52 +0000 http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/plant-grow-lights/#comment-53095 Great minds sure do think a like. Has anyone played with any Led Growing Lights yet? Great minds sure do think a like. Has anyone played with any Led Growing Lights yet?

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