I'm experimenting with a small mini-greenhouse used mainly for starting seedlings and I would like to try mini-LED's instead of fluorescent lights.

See:
http://www.actionlighting.com/items.asp?MainCategory=Bulbs&Sub=LED S pecialty Bulbs

(the company also sells the appropriate sockets)

I was thinking that an array of the E27 Super Bright LED half-dome bulbs might work. These are available in several colors. Assuming that there's enough appropriate light from these bulbs, what color (or combination of colors and in what proportion) would be best to use at various stages of growth. (I'm planning on starting some vegetables in this arrangement that will be transplanted into a regular bed as well as raising some smaller vegetables - lettuce, etc - that will remain under this set-up until harvest).

Could I start out with blue lights entirely then gradually add some red bulbs?

Thanks!
Anne

You typically will need hundreds of LEDs.

Also you will need LEDs which has very tight (focusing lenses) beam patterns to get as much light as possible.

Do a search on LEDs in this forum.

dcarch

"Not a clue. How much light do they put out? "
Here is the clue: No heat sinks = not much light.
Also, the up & down LEDs are not good for growing.

(Only kidding, only kidding :-). S&B is the most knowledgeable guy here!)

dcarch :-)

"Not a clue. How much light do they put out? "
Here is the clue: No heat sinks = not much light.
Also, the up & down LEDs are not good for growing.

(Only kidding, only kidding :-). S&B is the most knowledgeable guy here!)

dcarch :-)

OK, I'll offer up a little useful information at least. Ignore everything you think you heard about "blue for growth, red for flowering", it doesn't apply to LEDs. It barely applies to other lights but that's a whole different story :)

Thanks for the responses. I'm trying to find out from the supplier what the wattage of the bulbs are - but probably won't get an answer until after Monday. Here's my situation/dilema.....

I'd like to set up a mini-greenhouse using a child's wading pool and a large umbrella greenhouse to be used outdoors. See

http://www.homesteadhelpers.com/item.asp?b=1&n=GHUL

I was trying to figure out lighting for seed starting that wouldn't be too hot or too heavy.

Assuming that the LED's might be enough (which apparently they're not), I HAD (I guess naively) visualized a system with something like an overlarge pizza pan that could be fitted with the appropriate sockets and lights. The pan would have a central hole through which the central spike of the umbrella greenhouse would fit, and the whole thing could be raised and lowered and fixed in a position with a set screw collar or some such thing. The umbrella greenhouse could be fitted with a "space blanket cozy" to reflect light and keep heat in. There could also be a separate circuit with xmas lights to turn on to heat the structure on cold nights.

I'd just as soon use fluorescent - but it seems as though they'd be awfully heavy and I'm not sure how I would set it all up using off the shelf parts.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
Anne