Cost-Efficient Lighting

11 years ago

Does anyone know what the most cost-efficient lighting option would be for 1386 square inches of pigweed plants? Thanks! (Currently have Hydrofarm 4-Foot Start system (http://smile.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-JSV4-4-Foot-Start-System/dp/B0001XLSGQ/ref=cm_cd_al_qh_dp_t) but don't think it's enough

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Comments (10)

halocline
11 years ago
envrirogro FLT44 4ft 4 bulb (t5) fixture, about 18,000 lumens & low wattage. I own 3 of the 2ft 4 bulb fixtures & I love them. by looking at my utility bill you would hardly know I run them up to 18hrs a day.

H.
tigger033
Original Author
11 years ago
Would this one work also or be too small? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JQBQZQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Also, what would you think of this option - http://www.costco.com/Feit-Electric-4%E2%80%99-LED-Shop-Light-2-pack.product.100155638.html - available at Costco?

This post was edited by Tigger033 on Mon, Feb 9, 15 at 8:27
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SouthCountryGuy Zone 4b-5 SE BC
11 years ago
Depends on how you can arrange your set up. A lot of people would use 2 - 2bulb 'shop' lights which are 4' long and cost about $30 each. Power consumption would be negligible.

Too many options to imagine....

SCG
Nicholas Tide
11 years ago
My first post here. I own the mentioned Costco LED light. I bought one for $40 in store, so a bit cheaper. My 4 foot x 2 foot mini shelf garden is home of seed starts, leaf lettuce and Swiss chard. The LEDs are plenty bright for the lettuce but the lights are less than a foot from the top of the dirt. It grows like mad and I cut it and let it regrow. The LEDs are not as bright. The light output per watt is about the same as my t8 shop light.
SouthCountryGuy Zone 4b-5 SE BC
11 years ago
Nicholas Tide, welcome to the forums! I would be keeping those led lights about 1-2" off the top of the plants and they should work great.

Tigger033 originally I didn't have time to look up those lighting links. The T5 is too small for the area you specify and the LED are fine but quite pricey.

SCG
Nicholas Tide
11 years ago
SouthCountryGuy Zone 4b-5 SE BC
11 years ago
Looks great Nicholas Tide! I normally grow lots of veggies in the winter but between work issues then having a mouse eat all my sprouts I only have radishes this year.

Here was my lettuce from last year,
Pictures · More Info

Happy munching....

SCG
Nicholas Tide
11 years ago
As a side note, they are grown in grow bags and sitting in a little water. I only need to water them every few days and I get awesome growth.
SouthCountryGuy Zone 4b-5 SE BC
11 years ago
If I have to water more than every other day they are in too small a pot...IMHO.. I dislike anything sitting in water as it leads to mold and rot
Nicholas Tide
11 years ago
No rot issues because they are in bags, not pots. no visible mold either.

I have been reading lately about light movers. By moving the light slowly back and forth on a track, it increases the amount of light plants use by 40%. I am not sure how tall the pig weed gets, but by moving the light back and forth, the light penetrates to the bottom at different angles. I havnt tried it yet, but maybe someday.