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Re: More on Propagating Under Flourescents

While your gathering this general lighting information, some specific
information about the effects of light and day length as it relates to
specific plants. The garden mum is an easy one: to bloom it must have a
certain number of dark hours. Starting some plants early may not enhance
any part of its growing or blooming habits.

At 10:15 PM 10/10/97 -0700, Heather Navarra wrote:
>Thanks to everyone for their responses to my questions regarding
>propagating seeds under lights.  My two targets for next spring are to
>produce sturdier perennials, and annuals that will flower as quickly as
>possible.  The consensus seems to be a warm florescent + a cool one
>should give equal results to a greenhouse, especially since my northern
>exposure would reduce the hours and intensity of sunlight in the
>winter/spring.
>
>>From your feedback arises other questions.  Diana Politika mentioned the
>value of using either high-pressure sodium or halogen lights instead of
>florescents, which can be hung 6 feet above the leaf surface.  Bill &
>Harvey mentioned vapour lights, which produce more lumens without the
>heat.  But no one mentioned adding an incandescent fixture to the
>florescent setup, which I have heard can be beneficial.  Could an
>incandescent or a halogen light be added, and would there be an
>improvement in bloom time in annuals?
>
>Tom Clothier provided a very informative and detailed list of other
>factors that may affect success with seedlings, such as timing of
>potting on, using deep pots, brushing seedlings to promote sturdy
>growth, ensuring air movement, etc.  All of these are good tips to
>consider.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume that none of these
>would affect bloom time in annuals?  If this is incorrect, please
>explain.
>
>Of course, into this big equation goes soil mix and temperature
>control.  I think I have these two licked, as well as keeping the
>seedlings within 2" of the lights. Another great idea came from Joanne -
>to use mirrors and/or white reflecting boards to maximize the light.  
>
>The other question that arises comes from consistent feedback that
>florescents should be adequate *for seedlings*.  When does a plant cease
>to be a seedling and become a "plantling"?  I would think that many
>plants are beyond what I would call a seedling by the time they are
>ready to go outside.  I am thinking specifically of annuals that are
>intended to start flowering by the time they go outside.  They are
>usually substantial plants, not seedlings, by the last frost date.  Can
>I expect these "plantlings" also to do well under florescents?
>
>Bill & Harvey indicated that whether annuals flower sooner has less to
>do with the spectrum of light than *when* the plants are started.  I
>typically plant the seeds according to the directions on the pack.  Is
>there a benefit to starting even sooner than the pack recommends, or
>will I have overgrown "plantlings" by planting out time?
>
>So, gang, sorry for the long post, but I've given you some additional
>questions to peruse!  What are your thoughts?
>
>Heather in Markham, Ontario, Canada
>Cda Zone 6 / USDA Zone 5
>
>

"Conflict is as addictive as nicotine, alcohol, drugs, etc.
I'm sorry to report that cooperation is not."
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