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regular flurcent tubes
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Posted by bobgresko z5PA (My Page) on Fri, Feb 16, 07 at 22:24
I'm new at growing seedlings under lights. This year I would like to start some tomatoe plants from seeds and was thinking of using my 4' 2 tube shop light for a grow light. Will this work or do I need to buy special type tubes? How far above the seedlings should I install the light? How many hours a day should I keep the light on?
Thanks Bob |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: regular flurcent tubes
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- Posted by watergal z6/7 Westminster, MD (My Page) on
Sat, Feb 17, 07 at 0:06
| Your shop light and tubes will be fine for starting tomato seeds. Put it within a couple inches of the seedlings, and raise the lights (or lower the seedlings) as they grow taller. Put the light on a timer for about 14 to 16 hours. Aim to keep the seeds around 70 to 75 degrees, dropping to around 65 or 70 degrees once they're an inch or two tall. At that time, you can also put a fan blowing gently on them to help strengthen the stems. Don't start the plants more than about 8 weeks before you can plant them outside, or they'll get too big for your lights and start to get spindly and floppy. |
RE: regular flurcent tubes
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| 65-70F is too warm for tomato seedlings, 55-60F is better. This will keep them more compact. It will probably get quite warm with the lights on during the day but at least try to cool them down at night. |
RE: regular flurcent tubes
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- Posted by watergal z6/7 Westminster, MD (My Page) on
Sun, Feb 18, 07 at 11:26
| It's been a while since I've grown tomato seedlings, sorry I got the temp wrong. My grow room runs very warm, that probably explains why my tomatoes used to get lanky! |
RE: regular flurcent tubes
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| Watergal, I think its a very common problem. Everyone complains about their lanky seedlings even with fluorescent tubes almost touching the leaves, and mostly its because they are too warm. Its all a bit of a compromise, they grow faster if they are warmer but without enough light they grow too lanky. |
RE: regular flurcent tubes
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as a follow up.... I am also going to start my warm season veggies (tomato, pepper, cuke, melon) from seed for the first time this year. I will use a shop light as well.
My question is I will be starting them in my basement. it is unheated and runs about 50 degress right now. Is it too cold? do I need a heat mat? will they germinate/grow? thanks
steve |
RE: regular flurcent tubes
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| It will be warmer under the lights. 50F is fine at night, not much lower though. The heat mat could be useful for germination, which occurs best at warmer soil temperatures like 70F-75F. |
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