When to remove plants from grow lights

16 years ago

I've started my 'Red Elite' Geraniums and they have about four true leaves to them now. I know I can't take them away from the light yet, but when is a good time to take them away from the light, or any plant for that matter? I have two big bay windows that I thought I could place them in in about a month since that's when we'll have more sunshine (I'm in PA), but I'm not sure if that's going to be adequate or not. The reason I'm asking this is I have many, many other plants that I'll be starting soon under the heat mats and then moving to the lights, so eventually I may run out of lights. :) I have three tables with four-foot lights on them. T5 bulbs, 54-watt Gro Spectrum.

Next year I'll have a greenhouse (made from old windows), but it's not done this year. Although I don't know that I'll be able to use it much until April next year since our weather is so cold here. :( Will research that more later, I suppose. :)

Thanks for reading.

Alicia

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Comments (4)

wordwiz
16 years ago
When they die. Until then, they need light, be it artificial or sunlight.

Mike
lady_alicia Zone 5/6 PA
Original Author
16 years ago
Well, does anyone think that sun in a window from, say, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. would be a sufficient amount of light just for maybe a couple of weeks until the plants can go outside? Anyone tried this before? I guess I can experiment and see if I can't get an answer to my question.

Thanks,
Alicia
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wordwiz
16 years ago
Alicia,

It depends on your weather. Four-five cloudy days in a row, plants whose potting mix is damp, comfortable living-room temps - you will have some very noticeable length between nodes. If three or so of the days are mostly sunny, you should be great to go.

YMMV,

Mike
lady_alicia Zone 5/6 PA
Original Author
16 years ago
Oh, okay. Thanks, Mike. I was thinking along those lines; that if I get a few cloudy days it won't be good. I'm going to try and keep them all under lights, but I was wondering what others thought that have done this longer than I. I've been reading about what you and everyone else have said about CFL lighting. I went "all out" and bought into the grow lights, 10,000 lumens, high-output lighting for plants, and I'm seeing maybe there's a cheaper way to go to where I could add a few CFL lights in my garage on some shelves. :) Live and learn.....

Thanks for the help and input!
Alicia