RE: Grow Lights
Regular fluorescent bulbs are said to be just as good. That said, I use
grow lights myself because I bought them before I found out this bit of
information. Regular fluorescents should save you some money.
Personally, I try to keep the temperature constant until after the seeds
germinate. However, if your seeds are sprouting in 3 days or less then I
can't see how the lower "night time" temperature would be affecting them
adversely. If sprouting times average longer than 3 days, then I would
certainly try to keep the temps around 85 degrees round-the-clock.
Regards,
Chris Wilbers
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Springfield, MO (Greene Co.) / Zone 6
Growing pumpkins since 1996
Personal best so far: 481 lbs. (1998)
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n*@sofnet.com
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-pumpkins@mallorn.com [o*@mallorn.com]On
Behalf Of Tom Olenio
Sent: Wednesday, March 08, 2000 9:54 AM
To: pumpkins@mallorn.com
Subject: Grow Lights
Hello List,
Has anyone had experience with standard fluorescent lights,
and the special "grow light" fluorescent tubes that are out?
I have always used standard fluorescent tubes and wonder if
there is any real difference. My experience has been that
if I keep the lights 3" above the foliage, the seedlings do
not get too leggy, before going into the cold frame. Keep
in mind that I have a fan on the same timer as the lights
(indirectly aimed at the seedlings), so that the seedlings
are exposed to some wind, to help build stronger stems.
Are these "grow bulbs" worth the extra money?
Also, I only use my lights to bring up the soil temperature
(prior to emergence) up to the recommended 85F, but my
lights only run 12 hours a day. So for half the day the
soil drops to room temperature of about 68F. This is fine
for tomatoes, and peppers, but what about AG pumpkins? Do
they need the constant 85F for germination, or are lower
night time temperatures OK?
Thanks,
Tom
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