Why only 16 hours for plant lights?

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Laluvslilacs Rock Hill, SC Mar 22, 2009

This is my first attempt at starting seeds "the right way". We have a plant light in the garage that I have left on since it was installed. Maybe about three weeks now. I keep reading in other posts that the lights should only be on for 16 hours, why is that? Is it bad for the lights to be on all the time?

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dp72 Woodway, TX(Zone 8a) Mar 22, 2009

What if you never got to sleep?

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Laluvslilacs Rock Hill, SC Mar 22, 2009

So just like when the sun goes down outside, I need to create the same inside by shutting off the lights. Poor babies are probobly exhausted! Going to shut the lights off now!!!!

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Mar 22, 2009

Lights can be on 16 to 18 hours per day, depending on what you are growing. Actually, you want to create a natural light setting for your plants. They do need night darkeness. If you can provide cooler temperature at night, so much the better.

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XMelissaX Indianapolis, IN(Zone 5b) Mar 22, 2009

Please anyone correct me if I'm wrong on my facts (read this a couple years ago, memory may be bad): Most people know that plants use carbon monoxide/dioxide (can't remember) and release oxygen as part of respiration, but at night they reverse the process and take in oxygen. Many plants also use natural daylight hours to start their growth process. If you keep the lights on 24 hours, you will be altering their natural habitats/growth pattern. With the exeptions of far north/ south around the poles, most places don't receive 24 hours daylight.

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Laluvslilacs Rock Hill, SC Mar 24, 2009

I guess I'll let them sleep. It makes perfect sense and that's why I am here because I am a beginner! Thanks for your advice.

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