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Massachusettts

Hi -

Would someone please recommend the best type of grow lamp for seed starting. My 2 options are either a Hydrofarm Grow Light 400 watt ~ 120 V - 4.0A - 60 Hz Metal Halide M59 Type Lamp or a 400 watt High Pressure Sodium -HPS grow light. Thank you.

Craig

11/24/2005 12:44:22 AM

Indiana

if your in complete darkness...I think you need both. they say that MH works for no light situations best, but I had a hard time. The red spectrum from a simple grow light at low rates helped me out a lot.

Tom

11/24/2005 12:56:43 AM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

I have only used HPS,the most useful thing about it for starting pumpkins is the heat it gives off,I try to get maximum natural light at the same time as there is more and better quality by late April.As the light is my heat source it is on all of the time,if I want to give the seedlings a period of darkness I put an upside down flowerpot over them especially when they are just emerging,they tend to get buckled leaves otherwise.

Mark

11/24/2005 3:44:55 AM

Indiana

I like the agrosun gold metal halide bulbs they have the best all around light spectrum. I have started hundreds of veggies flowers and pumpkins with them and have had very good luck. Worms way has them
Steve

11/24/2005 10:49:42 AM

Oz

150w sodium is the most you will need for seeds starting.

Silver metal halide is the best,when mixed or cycled with hpS.

Check with a local electric supply house before you dump ya bucks into the local "grow" company.
You can save %50.

11/24/2005 11:44:23 AM

Massachusettts

Thank you all, I think I'm going with the Metal Halide, sounds like it will do the trick and it's the more affordable option. I'm unclear as to how long to keep it on but will do some test germinating.

Craig

11/24/2005 6:22:40 PM

Oz

the keyword is photo-period,,I have no idea how long.

11/24/2005 11:32:08 PM

Cologne / Germany

You can easily go with a growing neon lamp like in a terrarium if the spectrum is suitable for growing purpose. Been doing that for years. At 3ft / 36W that´s cheap method to get a lot of seedlings going without burning their heads off LOL.

11/25/2005 4:40:20 AM

Canada

I purchased my florescent grow bulbs from Canadian tire
$8.95 each x 6 = very low invesment and they work good, the trick is, keep the plants about 1" below the light bulbs and keep moveing them downward every 3 days so they dont touch the bulbs,( this alos prevents them from getting "leggy", I also keep an old waterbed heating pad below them so they get the warmth from up top and down below works for me.. seeing they only see this light for a good 5-6 days once above soil before they hit the patch.

Dave

11/26/2005 11:49:37 PM

Cornwall UK.(50N 5W)300ft.

Craig,

As you see we use several differant types they all work when set up correctly.The most important differance between them is the amount of heat they generate,the best light for you will depend on the ambient temperature of the area you are lighting at that time of the year.Flourescent tubes give off little heat,HPS a fair bit and Metal Halide a lot.
The key is obtaining maximum light intensity at the growing temperature you require.For instance if I am starting seeds now in the middle of winter my light might be 15 inches above the plants to maintain the right temperature,in summer it would have to be 30 inches away because of the higher ambient temp.at 30 ins. the plants are only getting 25% of the light that they would be at 15 ins.

11/27/2005 4:22:07 AM

Cologne / Germany

Hi Dave, I have my flourescent tubes (well that´s better expressed than "neon lamp", I´m not sure...) on chains, so I can move the tubes up and down, not the plants. Very easy system. In addition a heating cable below (12 ft, 50W, silicone type), snake pattern, burried in wet sand (no overhead watering), all pots on top. This setup will provide a minimum of 70 F all around the seedling anytime. No leggy plants for sure:-).

11/27/2005 6:09:50 PM