Hi All,
I have tried to get a really early start with my seeds this year - late June in fact, which is not even half way through winter here in Australia.
Most of my 40 or so seeds germinated, but to account for the cold temperature (day and night), I left them inside my heated propagator thinking all would be well until the sun starts to come out a fair bit more in a couple of months time (which is now, but we are only achieving temps of 15 deg C or thereabouts).
As you might guess, they got a fair bit long and leggy, but I have been doing my utmost to maximise their time outside in full sun to grow as quick as possible and beef up a bit (because I have lost about one per week due to going spindly and falling over - but not a mould or fungus problem though).
The problem is that they just aren't growing anywhere near as quick as normal - it's taken some 6 weeks for even the smallest of first true sets of leaves.
So, thinking I might try and provide more light, I dropped into a local hydro store today who have something pretty much ideal for me.
It's a simple two fluro tube setup on a stand, designed to exactly cover a styrofoam box (that is normally used for fruit transport, etc) which is the same as I already have (about 55cm long and 33cm wide).
The two tubes are only 18W each - one is a gro-light, and one is 'cool blue' (6500K colour temp?), however I can put pretty much anything I want in.
This setup is not for heating, just lighting, and I want to use it so my seedlings come up with 3 or maybe 4 sets of true leaves (and a much more developed root system) before putting them back outside (that way I can avoid the cold winds).
Is a total of 36W really going to do much for me, and if so, should I be using two gro-lights or go with what is already in it ?
The distance bewteen the lights and the seedlings can be as much as 60cm, down to about 30cm (approximately of course).
If I use lights, should I also be using a heat pad ?
The hydro store also sells a moulded plastic cover (with adjustable heat vents) that fits directly over the top of the box - is that sort of thing a good idea as well do you think? (I would imagine it wouldn't be needed once seeds have actually germinated)
The light setup is $110 and the moulded cover $25. Not too bad I think upon first impressions, but if it noticebly helps, it would be worth every penny I am sure.
Thought / opinions / comments ?
Regards,
Tim
I have tried to get a really early start with my seeds this year - late June in fact, which is not even half way through winter here in Australia.
Most of my 40 or so seeds germinated, but to account for the cold temperature (day and night), I left them inside my heated propagator thinking all would be well until the sun starts to come out a fair bit more in a couple of months time (which is now, but we are only achieving temps of 15 deg C or thereabouts).
As you might guess, they got a fair bit long and leggy, but I have been doing my utmost to maximise their time outside in full sun to grow as quick as possible and beef up a bit (because I have lost about one per week due to going spindly and falling over - but not a mould or fungus problem though).
The problem is that they just aren't growing anywhere near as quick as normal - it's taken some 6 weeks for even the smallest of first true sets of leaves.
So, thinking I might try and provide more light, I dropped into a local hydro store today who have something pretty much ideal for me.
It's a simple two fluro tube setup on a stand, designed to exactly cover a styrofoam box (that is normally used for fruit transport, etc) which is the same as I already have (about 55cm long and 33cm wide).
The two tubes are only 18W each - one is a gro-light, and one is 'cool blue' (6500K colour temp?), however I can put pretty much anything I want in.
This setup is not for heating, just lighting, and I want to use it so my seedlings come up with 3 or maybe 4 sets of true leaves (and a much more developed root system) before putting them back outside (that way I can avoid the cold winds).
Is a total of 36W really going to do much for me, and if so, should I be using two gro-lights or go with what is already in it ?
The distance bewteen the lights and the seedlings can be as much as 60cm, down to about 30cm (approximately of course).
If I use lights, should I also be using a heat pad ?
The hydro store also sells a moulded plastic cover (with adjustable heat vents) that fits directly over the top of the box - is that sort of thing a good idea as well do you think? (I would imagine it wouldn't be needed once seeds have actually germinated)
The light setup is $110 and the moulded cover $25. Not too bad I think upon first impressions, but if it noticebly helps, it would be worth every penny I am sure.
Thought / opinions / comments ?
Regards,
Tim
.
