You need grow lights which come in a frequency that simulates the suns rays. They do come in a variety of forms including fluorescent style, regular style and very expensive other gas bulbs (halide/sodium) that are very bright. Regular fluorescent lights do work as grow lights but often have too low of an output to be highly effective and standard lights are (if i remember correctly) too much in the red so they are inefficient in creating photosynthesis in the leaves. If you google grow light bulbs you should find a ton of better information and sources of light bulbs and light set ups. Bill

I find that fluorescent lights are great. They have very high light output per watt of power in, they run cool ( no heat ) so you can put them next to the leaves. I am using 16 bulbs and use about 500 watts of power. Thats a lot of light, and it's about 6 in. from the leaves.

Well now that is interesting, flourescent lights. I work in optical, sometimes retail, sometimes lab. The lab has great flourescent lights. Wondering how the lab manager would feel about me bringing in my little baby plummies for the winter months... Think he would probably say a big NO if I hall all of them in there... But, my little sprouts, way up on top of the cabinets, I could put my little heat mat up there too...hmmmmmm......Question, thru the winter months is it ok if they just get flourescent and no real sunshine?
Lauri

I would think for seedlings all about the same height, that flourescents would be a great choice. Leave them on for at least 14 hours so the plants stay as compact as possible.

I am fixing to use two 48inch flouresent grow ligh bulbs I found at HD for around 6.00 each.First time trying this.Will post results when I see some.DJ

Susan:

I am using incandescent "Grow Lights" (GE Grand spot-light style bulbs) in standard reflective fixtures, but only have a couple of very small plants. So far, so good. I'll let you know how mine do.

Shane

I went to home HD and got two grow lights for 20 dollars each.. I could not believe this... I will look for the GE or some of the others soon.. Hubby went on strike last Thursday and then tonight he has been put in the hospital for something with his bowels or his appendicts(sp) will know soon.. now crappy cuttings what is next..
Thank you for all the help..
SusanVa.

I have to put quite a few of my plants in the house. I've been banned from the greenhouse : ( I invested in two 1000 watt HID metal halide lighting systems. I was considering using sodium bulbs also but I'm not going to worry about flower production, I just want the plants to stay alive over the winter. There are high output fluorescent bulbs that are made for plants but they don't generate heat, the HID lights do and I need the additional heat. They weren't cheap but I have a lot invested in my plants so it's worth it for me.
Karyn

I also have allot invested in my plants... So is also why even with hubby on strike I did get the lights.. I am wondering will the cuttings that rooted go in there sleep or do they grow with the heat mats and lights at all? I do have ALL my cuttings on mats and lights...
Susan

With bottom heat and light newly rooted cutting can be "fooled" into growing all winter.That's the whole point of using the heat mat and grow light.DJ

By the way I hope your husband is alright and it's nothing serious.
Karyn

Karyn,
He is doing some what better tonight.. He has a terrible case of Diverticalites(sp) He still has the fear if it dose not stop the pain with this treatment and he get worse he will need surgery to repair, This man is not use to being sick and this is troubling him to much... I will have to sit on him now and make him stop... :-)
SusanVa.

Susan,
Hope he's is doing better today. Have to be careful what you eat with that ailment. Will say a prayer for him. Take care.
John

ok will keep short.. Thank you all for asking about my husband he is doing a little better but is still not out of the woods... It came back like the devil lastnight and then poof pain was better... so that is why doc said not out of the woods yet... It may come back to stay and if that happens he needs surgery... NOW.
Susan