Topic: Artificial Light for early starting propagation/growth

[Hector]

What systems/approaches have you folks tried. I've seen kits by Gardena (spelling?) and know some folk use halides (expensive?). I've also seen posts regards LCD lighting.

What have you folks tried/researched that works :)

[BarriedaleNick]

chriscross1966 is probably your man for this if he's around..there are also some past discussions if you have a quick search..

There are lots of lights on offer on the web - a lot aimed at the illegal weed market - but simply put..

LEDs - interesting but probably not there yet - give it a few years
Sodium and Metal Halide bulbs - They work very well but are very inefficient in terms of heat output.  They are likely to burn or fry tender seedlings and generally need ventilation
Flouro tubes - These lights are ideal for propagation and seedlings - they run cool and are pretty good for small plants.  Light penetration is an issue for taller plants.
CFL - These sort of lights are also good and have the advantage that you can plug them into a standard light socket.

I think that for seedlings and cuttings the bank of flouro tubes is favourite - I have a home made setup with a couple of tubes in the garage - works well but I only use them minimally eg to get onions going a bit early ...

[Kleftiwallah]

Try a few four foot Growlux tubes.    Works for me.    Cheers,     Tony.

[plainleaf]

all you need to start under-lights is frame strong enough to hold lights and not easily toppled
and two shop light that hold two 4 ft florescent bulbs each.
items needed.
1 frame
two 4ft shop lights
4 4ft  florescent bulbs

it's not rocket science
the cheap bulbs work just as well as expensive ones

[djbrenton]

I use a clothes rail to hang my grow light from. It's just the right height.

[Hector]

Thanks, that's really helpful. With regards the weed industry, that explains why one poster elsewhere suggested LEDs "better" as police helicopter heat-seeking wouldn't be as big an issue as if using halides!