Fluorescent Lights

[GrowingVeggies]

What type of fluorescent lights would be suitable for veggies?

My garden does not have many vacant space with sun...

Do I buy fluorescent tubes or bulbs?

Tips and help?

[Newt]

When I sprout seeds indoors I use the fluroescent tube lights and a shop light rigged on a chain. The pots are on a shelf and the shop light is suspended from the shelf above with chains that I can raise and lower as the plants grow. It looks something like this.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ightStand1.jpg

It's also helpful to have a fan moving the air near the plants.* It doesn't need to blow directly on the plants, but the air movement in the room will help the plants to have stronger stems.

Newt

[GrowingVeggies]

[user=5]Newt[/user] wrote:

When I sprout seeds indoors I use the fluroescent tube lights and a shop light rigged on a chain. The pots are on a shelf and the shop light is suspended from the shelf above with chains that I can raise and lower as the plants grow. It looks something like this.
http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g1...ightStand1.jpg

It's also helpful to have a fan moving the air near the plants.* It doesn't need to blow directly on the plants, but the air movement in the room will help the plants to have stronger stems.

Newt

how long would i have to leave the lights/fan on?
Did you buy everything or homemade?
How do I make something like that?

Thanks!

[Newt]

how long would i have to leave the lights/fan on?

*I leave the lights on for 12 to 18 hours.* I use a simple timer for lights plugged into a receptacle.* Something like this.
http://www.smarthome.com/20463/Indoo...e-MT550/p.aspx
http://www.smarthome.com/25505/House...-HS4390/p.aspx
http://www.smarthome.com/2046/Progra...e-Timer/p.aspx

Depending on where you will be growing the plants, I would say to leave the fan on until you transplant them into the garden.* You just want the air in the room to move a bit, not a direct breeze on the plants.

Did you buy everything or homemade?

I bought the shop lights and the timer.* I built the shelves from scrap wood and used an inexpensive chain that was in my saved stuff that most folks consider junk. You can purchase light weight chain by the foot from Home Depot or Lowe's.* The chain looks something like this.

How do I make something like that?

If you have an old table or shelves you can set your seed tray on top of that in a garage or utility room and you can hang the shop lights from a shelf or the ceiling.* As the plants grow you shorten the chain so the light doesn't get in the way or dry out your plants.

You're welcome!
Newt

[GrowingVeggies]

Can you send me a link to where I can buy fluorescent tubes for $10? Can't find any cheap ones.

As for the chain, how much feet would I need?

So I hang the chains to the tube and shorten the chains as the plants grow higher? How high above the tip of the plant should the light be?

I do all this in the garage? Or maybe I can do this in our shed. I'll try to look to see if there is an outlet outside.

[Newt]

Can you send me a link to where I can buy fluorescent tubes for $10? Can't find any cheap ones.

I'm sooo sorry.* When I bought mine they were $10 each.* I bought them at Home Depot.* Now they'er $29.97 each!* Lowe's wants even more money.
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3&ddkey=Search

Ace Hardware has them for $10.99.* Whew!* :shock:* They even come with a chain, but I don't know how long the chain is.* The cord is 5 feet long, so you may not need an extension cord.* Be sure to get the 40 watt bulbs.
http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/(rv3fe355my0ujvrfi2naceqm)/ProductDetails.aspx?SKU=34332&

I don't know how long to tell you to make the chain because I don't know the height from the top of the seed tray to where you will hang the lights.* I have a shelf above the table against the wall.* I only need a 12" chain.* Decide where you will grow your seeds first and then you'll know how long the chains need to be.

So I hang the chains to the tube and shorten the chains as the plants grow higher?

Yes
*

How high above the tip of the plant should the light be?

From this site under 'Growing Seedlings', I think I gave you:
http://extension.missouri.edu/explor...ort/g06570.htm

Light
Seedlings must receive bright light promptly after germination. Place them in a bright south window if possible. If a large, bright window is not available, place the flats under fluorescent lights. A fixture containing two 40-watt fluorescent tubes is adequate. Place the seedlings about 6 inches from the tubes and keep lights on for 14 to 16 hours each day. As seedlings grow, the lights may need to be raised to prevent leaf burn as seedlings touch the tubes. Plants need some red and infrared radiation. Since this is not supplied by common fluorescent tubes, additional light from incandescent lamps or windows is necessary. If this cannot be given, use a fluorescent tube specially designed for plant growing. These are available under a variety of trade names.

I do all this in the garage? Or maybe I can do this in our shed.

It would be best to do this near a window if you can.


I've got another idea.* Do you have a fluorescent desk lamp something like any one of these?
http://images.google.com/images?hl=e...-8&sa=N&tab=wi

Since you are only going to have one tray, that could work and you wouldn't have to buy a shop light and tubes.

Newt