RE: Any experienced Metal Halide Users

Andrew,

I would use a fan period. The high moisture atmosphere
you'll create will promote fungal problems which a fan
will help take care of. And I got nice growth under
fluorescent light (plain daylight bulbs) but I only
intended to keep the TC plants inside until they were
established or about 9 months.
If heat build up is a problem you can remotely locate
the energy source for the bulb which will not keep you
from having heat from the bulb.

--- "Roy M. Dales" <roymdales@earthlink.net> wrote:

> Andrew,
> 
> I have used a metal halide 1000 watt system for
> about ten years now.
> However, all of my use has been with orchids.
> 
> Yes, heat build up is an issue, but this is
> controllable with a fan to
> circulate the air.  I would suggest a light meter
> and you can measure the
> intensity thus reducing any scalding of the plants
> leaves.
> 
> It is also a bit on the expensive side, with mine
> cost about $50 bucks a
> month to run for ten hours a day!  Electricity is
> expensive in the
> Northeast, so maybe it might be less in Iowa.
> 
> If you buy a metal halide system you might opt for
> the 400 watt version.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-hosta-open@hort.net
> [o*@hort.net] On Behalf
> Of michael shelton
> Sent: Wednesday, August 11, 2004 10:01 AM
> To: hosta-open@hort.net
> Subject: Re: Any experienced Metal Halide Users
> 
> This was my experience with tc plants just out of
> the
> test tube, which should apply but maybe not.
> 
> Day length: I left them on 24/7 with no ill effect.
> I
> found that any on/off cycle seemed to cause the
> plants
> to attempt to go thru the whole cycle
> bloom-flower-dormancy and I think you want to get as
> much growth as possible.
> 
> Dormancy: After a period of time (about 9 months)
> they
> did not die, but they did stand still. Others may
> have
> experience to change the effect that i found. After
> I
> found I could not keep them growing I then took
> these
> trays outside and covered with mulch completely to a
> depth of about 2 inches and waited for spring. After
> a
> period of dormancy (I never determined how long)
> they
> can be forced out of dormancy and start the cycle
> again.
> 
> Water/mist: I potted in 2 1/2 deep pots and sat the
> pots in a tray that I kept water in constantly. I've
> reported many times that hosta cannot be over
> watered
> unless you drown the crown. Periodically you will
> need
> to leach the pot and clean the tray because of salt
> buildup. Fertilizer very sparingly because the
> fertilizer does not run thru and out. Your keeping
> virtually all of the ingredients in the tray so what
> isn't taken up by the plant will buildup in the
> tray.
> 
> I know how much you want to speed up the process but
> you may find better results with something along
> these
> lines.
> 
> Under lights you may not get true colors causing you
> to cull seedlings improperly.
> 
> You asked for help so report back with what you find
> and the results you get with whatever method you
> decide on.
> 
> 
> --- Andrew Lietzow <alietzow@myfamily.com> wrote:
> 
> > Dear Open'ers, 
> > Anyone have any experience with Metal Halide
> lights
> > for growing seedlings?   I have already discovered
> > that they are hotter (no duh) by scorching some
> > leaves, so I have raised them away another foot or
> > so.   I know I can measure the temp at the tops of
> > the leaves, and should adjust them accordingly,
> but
> > does anyone have any recommendations for the
> on/off
> > cycles?  
> > 
> > I'm thinking 16/8 but would 20/4 be better?   Any
> > resources out there for commercial or hobbyist
> Hosta
> > growers using HID lights?  Should the plants be
> both
> > watered and misted?  I'm thinking that starting
> > seedlings under fluorescent, until they reach the
> > 4-leaf stage should be good, but then to move them
> > under MH lights from that point on.   
> > 
> > Also, can they go up to 22 months before requiring
> a
> > dormancy period?   I've heard that this was true,
> > but would appreciate any info or research on the
> > subject.   I'm not trying to make this overly
> > complicated but simply looking for links or
> research
> > articles.  
> > 
> > TIA, 
> > Andrew in Des Moines
> >  
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: CCREDUX@aol.com
> > Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 2004 9:17 PM
> > To: hosta-open@hort.net
> > Cc: 
> > Subject: Re: Growing seeds in ground
> > 
> > In a message dated 8/9/2004 1:52:37 PM Central
> > Daylight Time, 
> > charlie@charliecheese.demon.co.uk writes:
> > 
> > > You should put the question to Glen of the
> Pether 
> > 
> > You mean  Count Glen de Pether-Plant-aginet?
> > 
> > cc
> > 
> >
>
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> > 
> >
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