#Grow lamps
2 messages in this thread
I'm writing from Calgary in the shadow of the Rockies. With our short
growing season, we have no option but to start most of our plants inside.
We currently have one floresent fixture with two grow lamp tubes in it. We
want to expand our light coverage with another fixture. Due to the high
cost of the grow lamp tubes here in the great white north, do you think it
would be OK to add a second fixture and put one grow tube and one regular
tube in each fixture, or should we put in only grow tubes?
Any help in this matter would be appreciated.
Rob & Dianne
I grow orchids under lights myself, and have found four fluorescent cool
whites to be fine. Grow lights extend the spectrum available, and while
many people swear by them, there's still conflicting data as to whether
they're really 10 times better (which is usually about the cost
differential) than cool whites. What does seem to make a difference is
using the longest tubes you can, for available lights drops off
dramatically at both ends of the tubes. Two foot tubes lose almost half
their length; four foot tubes lose a good foot. Eight footers (if you have
the fixtures) give the best usable light. Avoid putting plants at the
ends, and concentrate them in the middle for best results. good luck!