I start quite a few seed indoors and was wondering if fluorescent
light can be used once the plants emerge rather than grow lights
(since I have quite a few fluorescent fixtures and bulbs not being
used).

On 11 Apr 2003 05:49:39 -0700, (michele) wrote:

I start quite a few seed indoors and was wondering if fluorescent
light can be used once the plants emerge rather than grow lights
(since I have quite a few fluorescent fixtures and bulbs not being
used).

If you use both cool white and warm white tubes, you'll get a better
spectrum of light. Some plants respond better under artificial light
than others. What seeds do you have?

Here's how I understand it. If you are growing houseplants, especially
flowering plants, indoors under lights in a more or less permanent setup,
you need the grow lights for the complete spectrum of light. If you are
just starting some seeds to get a few weeks jump on the season, the ordinary
fluorescents, especially a mix of warm and cool, are entirely adequate.

Sue

Zone 6, Southcentral PA


"michele" wrote in message
om...
I start quite a few seed indoors and was wondering if fluorescent
light can be used once the plants emerge rather than grow lights
(since I have quite a few fluorescent fixtures and bulbs not being
used).

SugarChile wrote:
Here's how I understand it. If you are growing houseplants, especially
flowering plants, indoors under lights in a more or less permanent
setup, you need the grow lights for the complete spectrum of light. If
you are just starting some seeds to get a few weeks jump on the season,
the ordinary fluorescents, especially a mix of warm and cool, are
entirely adequate.

Sue Zone 6, Southcentral PA


"michele" wrote in message
om...

I start quite a few seed indoors and was wondering if fluorescent
light can be used once the plants emerge rather than grow lights
(since I have quite a few fluorescent fixtures and bulbs not being
used).


I have very good success using GE's SPX30 and SPX35 fluorescent lamps, and
I think the last ones I bought were Philips "Alto TL830", or something like
that. They are cheap, and the plants love 'em. They work a little better
than brand new "GRO" lamps, and they maintain their brightness a lot longer
-- so they work much better than year old GRO lamps.

One warm white and one cool white worked pretty well about 20 years ago,
but fluorescent lamp technology has advanced a lot since then.

Hope this helps, :-)
Bob

--
Have a Windows® computer that is powered on for hours at a time? Join the
search for a cure for cancer: http://grid.org/projects/cancer/

On Fri, 11 Apr 2003 08:49:39 -0400, michele wrote:

I start quite a few seed indoors and was wondering if fluorescent light
can be used once the plants emerge rather than grow lights (since I have
quite a few fluorescent fixtures and bulbs not being used).


Use Flourescents, "grow lights" are a TOTAL rip off.

Do you know I have not been able to find a "warm" light at all in my area?
All fluorescents are labeled "cool".

Cheryl
"zxcvbob" wrote in message
...
SugarChile wrote:
Here's how I understand it. If you are growing houseplants, especially
flowering plants, indoors under lights in a more or less permanent
setup, you need the grow lights for the complete spectrum of light. If
you are just starting some seeds to get a few weeks jump on the season,
the ordinary fluorescents, especially a mix of warm and cool, are
entirely adequate.

Sue Zone 6, Southcentral PA


"michele" wrote in message
om...

I start quite a few seed indoors and was wondering if fluorescent
light can be used once the plants emerge rather than grow lights
(since I have quite a few fluorescent fixtures and bulbs not being
used).


I have very good success using GE's SPX30 and SPX35 fluorescent lamps, and
I think the last ones I bought were Philips "Alto TL830", or something
like
that. They are cheap, and the plants love 'em. They work a little better
than brand new "GRO" lamps, and they maintain their brightness a lot
longer
-- so they work much better than year old GRO lamps.

One warm white and one cool white worked pretty well about 20 years ago,
but fluorescent lamp technology has advanced a lot since then.

Hope this helps, :-)
Bob

--
Have a Windows® computer that is powered on for hours at a time? Join the
search for a cure for cancer: http://grid.org/projects/cancer/

yes, all fluorescents are full spectrum!!! of course if you got money to burn and
want the plants to LOOK better, add something expensive. Ingrid

Fred Garvin wrote:
Use Flourescents, "grow lights" are a TOTAL rip off.



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michele wrote:

I start quite a few seed indoors and was wondering if fluorescent
light can be used once the plants emerge rather than grow lights
(since I have quite a few fluorescent fixtures and bulbs not being
used).

Four tubes are enough for four trays. Try to keep the tubes between
2 and 4 inches from the tops of the seedlings. A matte white cardboard
panel in back of the seed trays will reflect otherwise wasted light
back to where it can do good.

Reverse side of mylar gift-wrap works well too - and water repellant.

"Dr. Rev. Chuck, M.D. P.A." wrote

A matte white cardboard
panel in back of the seed trays will reflect otherwise wasted light
back to where it can do good.

Lynne wrote:

Reverse side of mylar gift-wrap works well too - and water repellant.

I was thinking of trying an old Venetian blind. You can adjust the vanes
to reflect light to where it's needed. It's also open, which should allow
better air circulation.


"Dr. Rev. Chuck, M.D. P.A." wrote

A matte white cardboard
panel in back of the seed trays will reflect otherwise wasted light
back to where it can do good.