Gardening
Related: About this forumSeed starting with artifical light...
All of my available windows have metal awnings. I want to start tomatoes, peppers and some herbs for a self watering box set up. Has anyone tried the grow lights from the ebay link below? I was going to use them to supplement the natural window sill light to start the seedlings. Ideas?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Indoor-225-LED-Grow-Light-Lamp-14W-Blue-Red-Orange-White-Hydroponic-Plant-Panel/251281434119?_trksid=p2050601.c100085.m2372&_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140211132617%26meid%3D5763888458944018421%26pid%3D100085%26prg%3D20140211132617%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D400674352861%26clkid%3D5763889956490431025&_qi=RTM1562571
Elad
(11,400 posts)I wouldn't trust that light. Simple flourescents tubes are fine. This system is cheap and easy to use and comes with everything you need, and use a T5 flourescent bulb which is a little better than traditional ones. I have a few of them, have been using them for 3 years, and have yet to need to replace a bulb or anything.
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=jump+start+grow+light+system
Major Nikon
(36,900 posts)But same basic design. My plan is to have one 4 bulb 48" fluorescent fixture which will cover up to 2 1020 seedling beds.
.... We use flourescent fixtures and they work fine. In fixtures with 2 bulbs, you might want to use a different "color" bulb for each instance.
You need to keep your seedlings close to the bulb, which is easy with flourescents as they don't run hot.
NRaleighLiberal
(60,500 posts)Think about it - the vast majority of seeds get covered up by a soil layer of varying thickness. A very few flowers (impatiens and columbine are two) are surface sewn, but the rest are covered. Warmth is a factor for speeding things up - there are inexpensive heat mats (such as these - http://www.amazon.com/Growers-Supply-Company-GSHM-Discontinued/dp/B002LVU4Y8/ref=sr_1_14?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1395862371&sr=1-14&keywords=seedling+heat+mat ) that you place the germinating pots or flats atop.
Once they germinate, light becomes important to minimize "stretching", which makes young seedlings leggy - I just use shop lights with typical fluorescent tubes, in my unheated garage, ensuring the light tubes are within a few inches of the top of the seedlings.
Good luck! Ask anything....