Propagation: 2014 Seed Starting, part 2, 5 by Pfg

Pfg wrote:
Yes, I'm very happy with my Hydrofarm lights! I started slowly. First I got the HD's, for my first set of shelves which was smaller, then ordered a 2' Hydrofarm. (Pic1)

That's the unit that fell over :-(.

In 2012, I re-thought, and set up shelves all the way across the opening. I used the lights I had, but it wasn't enough to keep the plants from stretching. (Pics 2, 3)

Last year, I decided not to care that the 4' fixtures are a little too long, by then DH was so happy with what was happening in the garden he didn't object to the intrusion. For my birthday, I asked for two long T5's, (I did the research, and found the best price at Amazon), and I rigged up the HD ones into 1 unit. For the bottom shelf, I got a 2' light with 2 bulbs. That was disappointing. The fixture is very heavy, and the design of the reflector prevents light from spilling out at the ends, so much of the sill was too dark. (Pic 4)

This year, one more long light, and I'm happy. The top shelf gets 2, for the real sun lovers. It's made a huge difference in how they grow- no more long skinny seedlings. They fill out properly, the way they would in the garden. The next shelf down is for sun/shade plants- lots of Campanulas this year, some Digitalis- and slower, lower growers, like Linum. The Platys are there this year too, for now, because the top is full. Next week when the tall plants move out, they'll go up. And the bottom shelf has the HD lights, which are just fine there. I use it for newbies, so I can keep an eye on them. I inspect every morning while I'm eating breakfast. :-)

And this is what it's all for :-). (Pic 5).