To me, there are two things that count when using lighting to grow plants indoors - their efficacy in promoting growth and the cost to operate them. After this year of trying various things, I know what I will do.
Use 20-watt, 2700K CFL lights. Five of them will easily cover 6 square feet (4 foot by 18 inches) if I use white siding. That means 100 watts per hour. Using four 40-watt regular flourescents using 160 watts per hour but only covers 5.25 sq./ft.
I've seen the difference in the lights. I had four plants that have languished for six weeks; anemic with next to no growth. Four days under one bulb and they have regained their color and grown 25 percent.
I'm convinced the PAR (Photosynthetic Activity Radiation) emitted by these lamps makes them the best choice for the cost per watt. They also produce enough heat that if placed in a closed container would negate the need for a different heat source.
In my idyllic scenario, my grow box will be six feet tall, four feet wide and 18 inches deep (though I might go two feet deep). It will have two shelves, ones that are on rollers so I can pull them out like drawers. The shelving will be adjustable from inches to feet. Three of the four walls will be stationary, but it will have two doors that can be opened from the front.
There would be enough room to sow more than 500 seeds or raise at least six full size plants - depending on the type of plants.
Rather than using chains to suspend the lights, they will be affixed to boards that will rest on dowels spaced two inches apart.
If this all works, I'm contacting AJ's Garden Center and see if the owner would like blue prints!
Mike
Use 20-watt, 2700K CFL lights. Five of them will easily cover 6 square feet (4 foot by 18 inches) if I use white siding. That means 100 watts per hour. Using four 40-watt regular flourescents using 160 watts per hour but only covers 5.25 sq./ft.
I've seen the difference in the lights. I had four plants that have languished for six weeks; anemic with next to no growth. Four days under one bulb and they have regained their color and grown 25 percent.
I'm convinced the PAR (Photosynthetic Activity Radiation) emitted by these lamps makes them the best choice for the cost per watt. They also produce enough heat that if placed in a closed container would negate the need for a different heat source.
In my idyllic scenario, my grow box will be six feet tall, four feet wide and 18 inches deep (though I might go two feet deep). It will have two shelves, ones that are on rollers so I can pull them out like drawers. The shelving will be adjustable from inches to feet. Three of the four walls will be stationary, but it will have two doors that can be opened from the front.
There would be enough room to sow more than 500 seeds or raise at least six full size plants - depending on the type of plants.
Rather than using chains to suspend the lights, they will be affixed to boards that will rest on dowels spaced two inches apart.
If this all works, I'm contacting AJ's Garden Center and see if the owner would like blue prints!
Mike
