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Light
Intensities:
A.
For germinating seeds and rooting cuttings:
10
lamp watts per square foot of growing area. The
light source should be 6" to 8" above
the soil or planting media. Recent studies indicate
that if seeds are exposed rather than being lightly
covered, a high germination percentage is obtained.
Another system that may be used is to cover the
seeds lightly with soil, vermiculite or perlite
and then comb or scrape the surface lightly after
soaking the cover medium. This allows for better
penetration of light as well as incorporating
air in the seed areas.
NurtureLite
fluorescent bulbs are particularly useful for
germinating seeds for outdoor spring planting.
When the NurtureLite seedlings are to be transplanted
to the outdoor environment, proper steps must
be taken to harden the seedlings. This is accomplished
by gradually reducing the temperature and keeping
the plants somewhat drier than usual until they
are acclimated to outside conditions. A common
procedure is to expose seedlings to the out of
doors during the day and take them in for the
night until they are firm enough to leave outside
permanently. It may take about one and a half
weeks to fully harden the seedlings. During the
first few days, however, the young plants need
protection from sunlight by providing some type
of shade. An important factor to remember when
hardening plants is to have air circulation, especially
if they are in protected areas. This will prevent
buildup of high temperatures, and thereby reduce
the wilting of the young seedlings.
B.
For low energy growing plants:
15
lamp watts per square foot of growing area. The
light source should be 12" to 15" above
the plant tops. Many household plants fall in
this classification.
C.
For high energy growing plants:
20
lamp watts or more per square foot of growing
area. The light source should be 12" to 15"
above plant tops. Plants such as chrysanthemums,
carnations, roses, tomatoes, beans and most vegetable
crops fall in this classification. When these
plants are grown in enclosed areas where there
is no available sunlight, 10 to 20 percent of
the total wattage should be provided by incandescent
lamps or the NurtureLite bulbs. These lamps provide
the far red radiation that is important for normal
plant development with high energy crops.
Length
of Light Periods (Photoperiod):
A.
For the germination of seeds and rooting cuttings:
A
light period of 16 hours produces satisfactory
results. With newly germinated seedlings and rooted
cuttings, prior to transplanting, a longer light
period of up to 20 hours may be used with good
results.
B.
Short day plants - Duration of light:
Gardenias,
Poinsettias, Chrysanthemums, Christmas Begonias
- 10 to 13 hours
C.
Long Day Plants:
China
Asters, Calceolaria, Coreopsis, Dahlias, Nasturtiums,
Annuals - 14 to 18 hours
D.
Day Neutral Plants (Not affected by Photoperiod):
Roses,
Carnations, Begonias, African Violets, Gloxinias,
Geraniums, Coleus - 12 to 18 hours
Cultural Requirements:
A.
Plant ambient temperature:
For
most plants, the temperature during the light
periods should be approximately 70° - 75°
F, and during the dark periods 60° - 65°
F.
B.
Plant environment humidity:
From
50% to 60% humidity is recommended. Also good
ventilation is necessary for best growth environment.
C.
Plant spacing:
Space
out the plants to encourage disease-free plant
growth and to promote strong roots, stems and
foliage.
D.
Plant watering:
Water
plants when the lights are on. At this period
the temperature is rising, and there is a greater
need for water by the plants.
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