Starting seeds under light

15 years ago

Take Two - so after some feedback from you all; most especially Bamboo (thanks!) - I've made some changes; and I'm coming here for a sanity check because that growing under lights forum makes my head spin.

First - my goal - start seeds in the garage and move them outside as soon as they are more able to withstand the onslaughts of rain and squirrels. Also, to be able to keep plants going that otherwise might not like the current outside temperature; for example - OMG do we ever miss our Thai Basil!

The garage is 'finished' and insulated; as well enclosed on the top; south and west sides. The east side wall has a large window. This is a morning natural light view; granted the north facing garage door is open:

We've added a second light fixture; and lowered them; as well put them on chains so they are very adjustable.

I've set the (mechanical) timer for 16 hours, and the stuff I most want to grow is centered; thought I do have more stuff along the edges that don't really get ideal light.

My questions at this point are: just how much does the east exposure morning sun account for additional light fixtures? I would hope for at least one or two 4' strips. Is that reasonable?

Also, the ends - I have a flood light system that I have used for natural fill light for photography - would it benefit to put one each of those at opposite ends of my set up - considering that if the shelf space exists I will probably use it?

Also .... I'm using this now to start seeds during the winter for spring planting. Because the garage is warmer than outdoors. Thinking ahead - in July the garage is cooler than outdoors; so will I be using the garage in July to start fall seedlings? thinking out loud about how much effort and $$ to put into a temporary lighting system Oh, and ... how do I put this? The garage circuit is at full capacity and the circuit breaker box is full. So when my in-laws pull in with their toybox; I suspect there may be no auxiliary lights in the garage; as the RV outlet is on the garage circuit. I don't really know all that much about how to determine that .....

Thoughts? Ideas? Input?

Thanks all!

~dianne

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Comments (3)

loufloralcityz9
15 years ago
The RV outlet will most likely be on it's own breaker if it was previously wired for the RV by a professional and should not interfere with anything on the garage circuits, BUT if a previous 'bubba' homeowner wired it up..... GOD only knows what will happen.

Lou
rednofl
15 years ago
Adding A few 2 bulb 4 ft fixtures as you have there is not a problem it is a very small load, each is equal to a 75w light bulb. Adding 10 fixtures could be a problem if the rv is actually on the same circuit. Just because it is in the garage doesn't mean its on the same circuit. Lou is right it should be on a separate circuit.
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User
15 years ago
gardengimp,

Your set up looks fine to me. Your seedlings are badly leggy but that is at this point fixable when you transplant so no worries.

Most people complain about the lack of a good space for a "grow station" you have a lot of room. You could easily add at least 2 more light fixtures as they are only what $12 or so each? The joy of florescent light is each fixture takes less energy than a single incandescent bulb so it is also economical. In looking at your set up if you wanted to maximize your space while also minimizing on fixtures you could lay the light fixtures out like one would hardwood flooring (sort of)....meaning start one fixture at the start of your stand and stagger them. Yes you would have some gaps but as long as you keep the lights close it would be ok. I use one of our unused bedrooms and I simply turn off the heat to the room. As a rule I am always trying to slow the seedlings down.

IMHO the east window will not help much at all. What the plants want and need is intense direct sun. Direct sun and indirect light are two different critters. I keep my seedlings next to a window but that is more for ventilation and I like to open the window and give them a nice cold draft once in awhile as they start to size up. Another thing is try to give them a weak fertilizer that pushes root development.

I just got my seeds started on the 16th, only one day later than schedule which isnÃ¯Â¿Â½t bad seeing I have been battling the flu for 16 freaking days now.

Far as your electrical question the circuit breaker will say how many amps it is (probably 15 or 20). If it is say a 15 amp you could run 15 fixtures so 30 bulbs on that circuit and still be way inside the margin of safety. Now granted you have other things on the circuit so just using the 15 fixtures to demonstrate how miserly fluorescents are with power.