Growing tomato seedling under blue light?
I wanted to try starting my tomato season early this year by growing under indoor light. I found a light with a blue tinted bulb that reads Plant Grow N Sho on it. It looks like a regular 150W flood light but must be for plants. In other words, it is not florescent. I have it hanging over my plants about 18 inches because it seems a little hot to put lower. I have it on a timer for 18 hours on and 6 hours off in darkness. Does this sound sufficient? I don’t have room for long tube lights plus the light I found reads and looks as if it were for this purpose. Any tips would help.
2 Responses
R.Scott
19 Apr 2010
Cicero G
19 Apr 2010
In order to get nice results from a grow lamp you need a High Intensity Discharge or HID light. They come in two major flavors, High Pressure Sodium HPS and Metal Halide MH aka street lights. The blue tint ones are MH the redder hues are from HPS. A 400 watt MH High Bay(fixture type) would do a real nice job and not be too pricey. Good Luck
There is a new CFL (compact fluorescent light) made by EiCO (small case I) model SP105/41/med. 105W rated at 450W incandescent. Not only will grow a tomato or whatever, it will give you a free tan. They’re about $30-35 at any good hardware store. The bulb you’re using is more for Show and less on Grow. I do like the bulb for reading, I’m using one now to see the keyboard. Easy on my old eyes. RScott