Re: Grow Lights

Tom:

I have thrown this question at some other gardeners at Berkeley University.
 (What is the difference between grow lights and regular fluorescent tubes?
 UV play a factor?)

Answers:
A plant does need a full color spectrum to grow properly.   The cool white
fluorescent tubes emit the blue-white color spectrum.   The warm white
fluorescent emit the red color spectrum of light.   Plants do not need the
UV, they need color light waves.  You can use a cool white and a warm white
in your double fluorescent fixture.  (F40 double).

I have tried both, regular flourescent and grow lights.  Personally I did
notice a difference, I had better results from the fluorescent grow lights
then regular mixed warm / cool lighting.   As someone mentioned before, you
can go to Home Depot and pick up a grow light for a few bucks more. 
However BE CAREFUL, check the tube in the paper outer
wrapper.........people switch them to rip-off the stores........I can home
once only to find my grow light to be regular fluorescent light........it
was hard to convince the store to refund my purchase.

Also, because my seedlings are placed in the basement on shelving with
lights, I put a heating pad under the trays on low heat.  This keeps my
soil above 66 degrees and helps because a basement is cool.   The lights
also provide warmth.

But  the seedlings do need to be harden-off before planting outside.  
There is nothing like "mother nature".  You can't beat those warm, spring
days for those seedlings.

Bill  Sadowski,  Ohio and 4" of snow last night

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