Best grow lights?

I'm new to indoor plant propagation, and was wondering what plant lights work best. I have a shelf about 30" long and 18" wide that I'm planning on using for jiffy pots.

Here's one light I saw: 225 LED Hydroponic Plant Grow Light Panel 14w. What do you think of it?

Any other ideas? Thanks

I just use cheap fluorescent shop lights--those generally work well and are a lot cheaper than the fancy grow lights.

Hi aebloom,
couple of years ago I have done a lots of research on how to set up the system for indoor propagation. Most info came from Dave's. I agree with ecrane3. The cheapest lights you can find are the best. Make sure you hang them on an adjustable chain because as the plant gets taller, you will have to move the lights heigher. Also I think a timer is a good idea as well. I leave my lights on 18hrs a day.

Yes, I have the timer as well and leave the lights on 16-18 hrs--seedlings need lots of light. If you're doing cuttings instead of seeds I don't know if they need as many hours of light or not.

I like the daylights. They are a little bit more than the others at HD, but I think they are worth it. My DH likes them in his shop too.

It all depends on what kind of plants we're talking about and how much light they need. Also, how long you intend to grow them under these lights matters. The cheap shop lights are ok for starting cuttings and seeds, but they don't compare at all to a good Metal Halide light for growing the plants for longer periods of time. I tried some seeds under shop lights and they don't grow as well as the same seeds under a good Metal Halide light. I guess it depends on how much money you want to spend. LOL.

I think you are right. I haven't tried the MHs on starting seeds. I have them too. Maybe I will try that next spring when I start them. Thanks.

I just bought a Raintree to start cuttings and the guy added in some other stuff. He sent a light that is a square, flat, panel with a couple of hundred small, clear "nipples". When it is plugged in it shows up as red and blue lights. Very pretty but I have no idea what it is for. It is LED.
Anyone know??

I think the "jury" is still out on those Leibe42. Home Depot has shop lights that use standard tubes for cheap and they work great. around $10 for the fixture. The tubes are usual extra.

Why don't you write and ask him?

I have always used the shop lights and have had great luck with them. Actually better luck than the fancy little tube I got this year.
I did ask him and he said that they were LED grow lights.

I have always used the shop lights and have had great luck with them. Actually better luck than the fancy little tube I got this year.
I did ask him and he said that they were LED grow lights.

For florescent lights which "T" do you use? 8,10,12?

Sorry, I don't know what you mean. T.

Jeanette

Mine are T12(34watts).

Would have to look, but thought mine were 40 watts.

The differences:

http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/programs/NLPIP/lightingAnswers/LAT5/pc1.asp

Leibe, If you think to, please keep us updated on the LEDs. Maybe you could do a little test of some identical plants growing under your shop lights and one or two under the LED?

I, for one, would be very interested in your results. Of course, in my house, that means that we could grow plants next to the ever-present computer screens, lol....

Thanks for all the great info!