RE: Lights for propagation

Allan,

  I use fluorescent lights in winter to grow herbs and greens more as a
diversion than anything else.  No comparison to full size lettuce plants,
BUT I can have a pretty tasty salad in January (lettuce, basil, oregano,
parsley).  Not enough light to grow a full size tomato or pepper, but I'm
trying a tiny tim tomato (cherry, 18" tall at maturity, determinate) that so
far is short, stocky, and producing blooms.  I'm going to supplement with
sunlight and see what happens!  I am also trying swiss chard, carrots and
radish.  I have a book titled "the apartment farmer" that says some root
crops and greens can be grown in this "low light" environment.  We'll see!

Beth (MD zone 7) 

-----Original Message-----
From: Allan Day [a*@crwys.demon.co.uk]
Sent: Friday, January 15, 1999 3:16 PM
To: veggie-list@eskimo.com
Subject: RE: Lights for propogation


 >Interesting, I thought one had to have special Gro-lites which are
> >special horticultural lights. Please keep us posted as to what
> >successes you have, also what power and duration you have to use. I
> >believe bottom heat is usually used as well.
> >
> >-- 
> >
Further to my above comment my equipment catalogue lists two systems,
one uses a mercury tungsten blended lamp 250 watt at 3600-5500lux to
cover an average 3ft. x2ft.(6 sq.ft.) The other, called "Professional",
uses a sodium 150 watt high pressure lamp  at 4000-8000 lux over 1-1.5
sq.metres  (10-15)sq. ft. This is thus giving approx. 4 times the area
of the first. Both come ready-wired for safety in damp conditions.
The catalogue recommends  a light level of 4000 lux.
I don't doubt that the fluorescent tubes will get seedlings started,
they will germinate even in darkness, but with household lights, if there is
no solar light at all will the final plants be up to expectations?


-- 

Allan Day  Hereford HR2 7AU allan@crwys.demon.co.uk
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