? about lights

Hi,
I've been listening to some video on seed starting by Jeff Ball and he said growing the seeds under floresant light for 12-16 hours a day is prefered. He said something about have one bulb white and one blue. I picked up a light at Walmart but it doesn't say anything about what kind of light it is. Could you explain what these two different ones do. I just got an under cabinet light which can be found here.
#7020 http://www.lightsofamerica.com/uc.htm#

They also have a growlight http://www.lightsofamerica.com/sl.htm

If you click on the specifications you will see what it says about these. I couldn't tell any difference. Could any of you help me. I want to make sure I have the lights that would work.

Thanks.

I use one cool white and one plant grow light on my "pitiful" setup--but I only use mine for tomatoes, peppers, and a few things like zinnias.

It's located in my garage so I don't have to look at it much! lol

I've used the method for 20 years too.

This message was edited Mar 15, 2006 2:47 AM

All I have to say is that don't use energy saving tubes, you will wind up cheating your plants of the quality light that they need. Both I and Logees Nursery recommend 40 watts or greater. Also try to find tubes with the most lumens. Some experts recommend using in a shoplight one cool white with one warm white. I usually alternate between daylight or warm white with cool white. You may also use an tube specified for plant and aquarium if you want to pay more.The bottom line is that you will get better growth in your plants with the best quality light that you can provide. I speak from experience. I've been growing plants under artificial light for twenty years.

This message was edited Mar 14, 2006 9:24 PM

This message was edited Mar 14, 2006 9:25 PM

Frankford,
Did you get a chance to look at those link I posted. I can't tell what they are, can you? Thanks.

From
http://www.rexresearch.com/articles/elcultur.htm
probably way more than you wanted .

9.
Monochrome & Pulsed Light

Plants respond to light with a complex variety of reactions that are affected by the duration (photoperiod), intensity, and wavelength of the light. During the 19th century, Edward Babbitt and others reported that the germination of seeds increases by 50% under the influence of blue light (provided by blue glass filters). Plant vitality is increased, growth is accelerated, stem and leaf development are improved, and yields are increased.

In 1861, General A.J. Pleasanton constructed a 2,200 sq ft greenhouse in which every eighth pane was blue. Pleasanton obtained phenomenal results in terms of increased yields, improved flavor, etc, and he received US Patent # 119,242 for "Improvements in Accelerating the Growth of Plants and Animals." He recommended a ratio of white 8:1 blue light for optimal plant growth, and a ration of 1:1 for best animal development. Blue light stimulates the directional response of plants to light. Plants' pores open more widely in the presence of blue light (use it with Sonic Bloom). Evaporation and photosynthesis are intensified and chlorophyll production is accelerated. However, some cells may rupture, and mitosis may be inhibited.

The He-Ne laser (632.8 nm) can influence the phytochrome-controlled germination, growth and development of plants from a distance of more than a quarter-mile. The maximum effect is obtained by only 1 or 2 minutes of exposure to reflected laser light. More than 10 minutes of irradiation will inhibit the phytochrome response. In some cases, successive nightly irradiations of low intensity have a significantly greater effect than a single exposure of greater length or intensity. The response can be reversed by alternating exposure to laser and infrared light. (30-32)

G. Krustev, et al., investigated the effect of laser irradiation on hemp production, and determined that laser treatment improved the sowing qualities of the seeds, shortened the phases of plant development, produced more vigorous plants, and increased the yields of both stems and seeds to a considerable extent. The researchers used a He-Ne laser for 15 and 30 minutes, and a nitrogen laser with 225 and 450 impulses. (33)

Red light can be used to increase the growth of some plants (beans, etc.) up to ten times the normal rate by stimulating phytochrome activity. Red light at 660 nm stimulates growth, development, flowering, and fruiting. When red light at 700 nm is available with 650 nm red light, photosynthetic activity is considerably greater than with either single frequency. Blue light at 420 nm enhances the effect of 650 nm red light. Photosynthesis occurs at approximately 440 nm.

Photosynthesis can be increased up to 400% by means of intermittent light. The researchers used a rotating disk with a cut-out section to chop the light from a lamp. They found that 75% of the light from a given source could be blocked without decreasing the rate of photosynthesis. The improved yields produced by intermittent light depends on the frequency of the flashing. A frequency of 4 flashes/minute resulted in 100% increased yields. The amount of work done by the light can be increased by shortening both the light and dark periods. For example, yields can be increased 100% by using 133 flashes/second. Emerson and Williams improved the yield (compared to continuous light) by 400% by using only 50 flashes/second. The light flashes must be much shorter than the dark period. The minimum dark period is about 0.03 at 25o C. The light reaction begins with about 0.001 second/flash, and it depends on the concentration of carbon dioxide.

A. Shakhov, et al., developed several methods of applying Concentrated Pulsed Sunlight (CPSL) to stimulate the photoenergetic activity of seeds and plants. The flashes of CPSL last from 0.2 to 1 second and produce significant effects on physiological processes and increase plant productivity. The CPSL effect is not caused by the thermal action of concentrated light, but by endowing plants with a "photoenergy reserve" that increases yields of vegetable crops by 20-30%, and grain crops by 5-10%.

Arrays of aluminum and glass dishes are used to concentrate sunlight up to 100 times. The apparatus is shaken lightly by various means to pulse the irradiation as it is directed on seeds or plants. In one such device, a large semi-conical aluminum reflector is rotated by a motor at 100-130 rpm. The seeds arrange themselves in a single layer on the wall of the pan and receive intermittent irradiation as they pass through a fixed focal spot on the inside wall. Artificial lighting (70,000 lux) pulsed 120 flashes/min. was found to produce effects even though the light energy was much lower than that of CPSL. With duckweed, maximum growth was obtained with a pulse period of 0.004 second.

Another system uses tinted mirrors to produce single colors. S.A. Stanko irradiated soy plants with pulsed red light for 30 min/day for a week, resulting in a 8% increase in the protein content of the beans.

Thomas G. Hieronymous discovered that a plant can be grown in complete darkness indoors if it is connected by an insulated wire to a large metal surface that is exposed to sunlight. The plant must be at least 6 feet above ground and insulated to generate a voltage potential or antenna effect. The optimal size of the metal sheet must be determined by experiment so as to avoid sunburn (too large) or yellowing (too small). Plants cultivated in this manner will develop normally, while control plants will be stunted.

Dr. Wilhelm Reich (of Orgone fame) also found that plants could be grown without light if they were grown with magnetite that had been exposed to sunlight. The magnetite absorbs and reradiates solar energies that are utilized by plants.

Other post to long -
I bought a piece of styrofoam with a shiny backing at Home depot and cut to fit behind and on all of plants .

Be sure to replace the lights after a few years, as the ends are not as efficient, w/ plants in the center doing better; plants at the ends doing less well. The cost of bulbs is not great. When disposing of old bulbs, be certain not to inhale any gas from broken bulbs. Put them in a garbage bag and then break them.

All you need is two cool white flourescent light bulbs (as opposed to kitchen/batch types which are the warm white ones with less usefull plant light). While it is often recommended to buy one cool white and one warm white for a 2 bulb fixture, I have always had best results with just cool whites.

I just bought two 48" plant spectrum bulbs for my setup. Have any of you guys used two plant spec. lights instead of 1 white/1 plant? I bought two and plan on doing 1 for 1 for my two fixtures; but, I was tempted to buy 4 bulbs and go with a full plant spec. setup.

Anyone, done this before?

Ok. First of all this is my first post and I really look forward to many returns to this forum.

Some of these posts were lengthy and full of detail, which is what I'm after. I'm in the process of building an eight bulb grow light comparable to the Sun System / Tek Light ones (but for about $200 less) and customizable to my growing setup. I've done a lot of research on color temp. of bulbs and know cool white vs. warm white °K etc. Most people say use equal cool white and warm white which for fluorescents would be 6500°K and 3000°K. Looking at if from and 'average' point of view that would be 4750°K; I've found some 4100°K bulbs for very cheap ($7.90/bulb compared to an average of $12-$15/bulb). We're talking about T5HO bulbs with a mean lumen output of 4700 lumens per bulb for a total of 37600 lumens. Has anyone every done experiments with different °K bulbs or would it be best to just stick with what everyone knows seems to work and purchase 4 6500° and 4 3000° bulbs. Currently I'm using 4 T12 shop light fixtures with 4100°K 34W bulbs for a total of 18000 lumens for a 2'×4' growing area growing tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.

Thanks to all for responding.

tonyjr,

What section of the store did you buy this from? I would like to know where in the store to look for it. Thank you.

Jesse

I go the most inexpensive way every year; 2 cool bulbs per shop light (6-8). It isn't like the plants are a year round venture. If the timing is right, new plants will be spending a lot of days outside during the day hardening off. All these numbers and calculations are fine for house plants and pot growers, not for the limited time the plants will be indoors.

I agree with you Golddog. First batch of seeds I used that crappy sprial bulbs...LOL!. Then I went with the long plain cool 48" bulbs from phillpps. I saw the plant spectrum I decided to play with it. I work in a lab...and I am all about optimum this...optimum that. Just my nature. Again, when it comes down to it...it'll work.

Where is a good place to get these lights?

Hardware stores. I get mine at Lowe's, i am sure Home Depot has them too.

Home Depot or any Hardware store should have them. They are the same bulbs used from aquriums. 10 bucks a pop.

Are they usually marked cool and warm lights, or white and blue lights? The one I got at Walmart didn't say. Just that it was an undercabinet light.75 Watt output using 17 watts of energy. It not just the bulb but the entire thing, with cord and switch. Sorry I'm so dense.

Some are marked cool white. The only way you can tell if the tube gives off blue hue is to see it actually in a demostration . Both Home Depot & Menards have lighting displays. They both seem to have the most variety in types of light bulbs and lighting structures.

This isn't rocket science, believe me. All you need is the cheapest cool white bulbs you can find. I've found that three ballast's is preferred for 20" flats, but I still have several set ups with two sets of ballasts (4 bulbs total) for a row of flats.

Sure you can purchase better bulbs, but you really don't need them!

They're only used to get things started anyway and you'll get strong seedlings with plain old bulbs.

Dax

The lenght of the day and night is the key to growing seedlings. Not all flowers require the same amount of day lenght. That is where the research comes in. learn the day lenght of the flowrs you are growing, and you will have success. Check the thread.Growing geraniums grom seed. You will see my geraniums, and what I am talking about.

DMJ!

Your light stand is one of the best.
I have one just like yours and would not trade
it for anything!