"HaaRoy" wrote in message
...
My seed propogations could do with a bit more light i feel
whats a good source and where on the spectrum is required?
I have a sunray lamp which i could use ,is that advisable?

The blue poppies havent started up at all.
despite spells in the freezer and fridge to give them a kickstart.

Artificial light is only really useful as part of an integrated production
system for commercial growers to get crops to market for a particular time.
For amateur gardeners and most professionals it pays to wait 'til the
natural light is better. If you are then getting drawn leggy looking
seedlings you're keeping things too warm. If you raise very early seedlings
under artificial light then unless you are very well organised you are
likely to have all those nice young seedlings going backwards because you've
got nowhere warm enough and light enough to look after them properly - and
do bear in mind that the space needed increases at an alarming rate as the
plants grow.
Your Meconopsis? They don't need the light. Leave 'em alone you are trying
too hard. Just put them outside at the bottom of a North wall and keep them
*just* moist but otherwise do nothing. If they fail - join the club ;~)) and
try to get some fresh seed towards the end of the summer - I'll probably
have some to give away (M. betonicifolia, M. grandis, and M. x sheldonii. )

If you still want to try lighting you need full spectrum preferably with a
bit extra towards the blue end to compensate for the reddish winter light.
Mercury vapour lamps are fine but do heed any warnings about UV emissions
the spectum of these lamps does spill over into the UV range so don't spend
too long under them or look direct at them. Two Wests and Elliot sell the
right sort of thing to amateurs. I think the URL might be in the suppliers
FAQ.

Rod

Rod