After being inspired by AJ's growth and germination rates I have decided on a medium term project with an ex truck freezer body that I would like to turn into a dedicated germination room. It is 5.2meters or 17'1" long 2.2 meters or 7' wide and 1.73 meters or 5'8" high.
After looking at it I need to figure out bench widths, lighting, irrigation, fans, heating and drainage needed.
At 17' long and 7' wide I could have 2 X 2'6" benchs down both sides joined at the back end which would give me about 770sq ft of grow bench with a 2' wide walkway down the middle.
The main consideration would be the grow lights, what type, size etc would I use to cover the benches adequately without wasting grow lights on the walk way.
As it doesnt snow here or get too cold I could also put laser light(polycarbonate sheeting) on the roof to let natural light in as well on which I could devise a cover to pull over at night as well.
I have done pretty well with an old freezer on its side with a waterbed heater under a fish tank and a couple of heat pads but I was still limited by the slow growth speed.
I have had seedlings grown by a commercial seedling grower last season and even they were 12 weeks to delivery at transplant size. I delivered the seed to them in August and the weren't delivered to me till mid November.They were all chinense, 2000 orange habs, 2000 caribbean reds and 2000 hot paper lanterns. Plus a smattering of others for trials. They were grown in an unheated glasshouse. I am sure that AJ's seedlings at 35 days look to be well advanced on what they were at the same stage.(35 days)
<BR Inside, It is used as a storage shed at the moment but the 6" thick insulated walls are wasted as a storage shed
After looking at it I need to figure out bench widths, lighting, irrigation, fans, heating and drainage needed.
At 17' long and 7' wide I could have 2 X 2'6" benchs down both sides joined at the back end which would give me about 770sq ft of grow bench with a 2' wide walkway down the middle.
The main consideration would be the grow lights, what type, size etc would I use to cover the benches adequately without wasting grow lights on the walk way.
As it doesnt snow here or get too cold I could also put laser light(polycarbonate sheeting) on the roof to let natural light in as well on which I could devise a cover to pull over at night as well.
I have done pretty well with an old freezer on its side with a waterbed heater under a fish tank and a couple of heat pads but I was still limited by the slow growth speed.
I have had seedlings grown by a commercial seedling grower last season and even they were 12 weeks to delivery at transplant size. I delivered the seed to them in August and the weren't delivered to me till mid November.They were all chinense, 2000 orange habs, 2000 caribbean reds and 2000 hot paper lanterns. Plus a smattering of others for trials. They were grown in an unheated glasshouse. I am sure that AJ's seedlings at 35 days look to be well advanced on what they were at the same stage.(35 days)
