Light needs after potting up?

9 years ago

I think I did too much too soon. I just potted up lots of tomatoes and have 20 trays of plants. I have an unheated rec room with huge bright south-facing windows that I plan on utilizing to slide the plants in and out each day onto tables outside the windows or keep inside near the windows for light, if needing protection from weather, but it's still too cold out there at night. It's been in the 30's at night and just a few degrees warmer in the room. 60's during the day. My guess is the night temps will increase to the 40's in the next couple weeks. Will using lights at night kick out enough heat for them to survive? Or should I just keep them in the house until then? (Which would be very crowded.) Currently I only have enough lights to cover 8 trays. Was hoping I would only need lights during the pre-potting up stage before they needed more space, but it looks like I'll have to invest more $ into added light fixtures for the grow shelf. My original goal was to not need any supplemental lighting and just push them in and out each day. The best laid plans. . . . .

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Comments (3)

digdirt2
9 years ago
"My original goal was to not need any supplemental lighting and just push them in and out each day. "

Yeah that always sounds good in theory. ;-) Problem is this time of year the sun isn't up enough hours plus it is weak in intensity compared to the summer sun the plants need. Thus the need for supplemental lighting.

And once potted up the amount of light becomes even more crucial, not less. So investing in more lights is the best solution.

And next year maybe start later and less? ;-)

Dave
Robin Lawson thanked digdirt2
Robin Lawson
Original Author
9 years ago
Most definitely! Thanks so much, Dave! After potting up, should I give the plants a break from the light or can they go right back under?
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digdirt2
9 years ago
Right back under. It is so much milder than sun that no rest period is required. Indeed just the opposite. Those leggy stretched stems can develop in a few hours if light isn't available.

Dave
Robin Lawson thanked digdirt2