lighting Distance for Grow Lights and Wattage

PodHopper · Feb 12, 2018

Starting some seeds for the first time. How far away should my grow light be from the plant? I have a 65w bulb probably 20" away. One seedling fell over and i wasnt sure if it was because it was stretching too far to reach the light and got too leggy?

Also, is my 65w bulb good enough for 5 plants in solo cups? I did the solo cups as a trial run. I just planted 60 others. How much wattage will i need to keep those alive until April?

JoynersHotPeppers · Feb 12, 2018

What kind of 65w bulb? All about the lumens and heat....

Most of us depending on light are only a few inches over the seedlings

JoynersHotPeppers · Feb 12, 2018

Solo cups are cool.

PepperJackOne · Feb 12, 2018

Nice looking little plants! What is that substance on top of the soil in the cups?

JoynersHotPeppers said:
Solo cups are cool.

JoynersHotPeppers · Feb 12, 2018

Sand, once watered turns rock hard and keeps fungal gnats away.

Masher · Feb 12, 2018

JoynersHotPeppers said:
Sand, once watered turns rock hard and keeps fungal gnats away.

I have used very small perlite the same way.

What kind of sand is that? Big box store or something local to your area?

JoynersHotPeppers · Feb 12, 2018

Masher said:
I have used very small perlite the same way.

What kind of sand is that? Big box store or something local to your area?

Playground sand, didn't want to use beach sand since was worried about salt content.

alkhall · Feb 12, 2018

I run a six-lamp T5HO fluorescent fixture (4 foot, 54 Watt, 6500K lamps) which has a 24 inch by 48 inch 'footprint'. This accommodates 50 plants in three inch pots.

Generally, I keep the lamps between two and six inches above the plant tops.