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To: metmom

I have always used some combination of shop lights (2’ or 4’) and fresh bulbs every few years, or have purchased a ‘full spectrum’ fluorescent bulb for one of the two bulbs and remembered to rotate my flats every few days.

I now have a 4-shelf (only three work, LOL!) grow light rack, but I only own it because I got the deal of the century on it as a parting gift from Jung’s. (Retail for those are ridiculously expensive!)

Your set up doesn’t need to be expensive to work well.

Also - keep the top of the plants 2” below the lights from beginning to end, once you have germination. You’ll need to be able to adjust your set up as plants grow. I’ve done that using stacked bricks or old books.

16 hours on, 8 hours off. OFF is as important as ON. You won’t gain anything by keeping them on 24/7. Plants need to rest, just like all living things.

I had a customer come to me with a flat of BLACK pepper seedlings. He wanted to know what was wrong with his plants. After a rather lengthy conversation, turns out he had the seedlings as close to the bulbs as he could get them, and had it on 24/7. He had basically cooked them!

Here’s a step-by-step DIY to build your own with recommendations on light bulbs, etc:

https://www.growjourney.com/want-to-garden-like-a-pro-heres-a-simple-and-affordable-indoor-grow-light-setup/


49 posted on 01/31/2021 6:38:56 AM PST by Diana in Wisconsin (I don't have 'Hobbies.' I'm developing a robust post-Apocalyptic skill set. )
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To: knittnmom

Hi Mom! Diana has some pretty good advice about grow lights here.


53 posted on 01/31/2021 9:47:16 AM PST by Ellendra (A single lie on our side does more damage than a thousand lies on their side.)
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