Light Distance from Plant Q?

I have a 150watt hps 3" away from my seedling. I have my temp probe right underneath the light and it reads inbetween 72-76f. Can the light itself cause the plant to dry out rather than heat?

-thanks
 

trichlone fiend

New Member
...I would use fluorescents until the plant is a few inches tall. Too much light can harm a young one...if you MUST use the HPS, make sure your a good distance away.
 

gumball

Well-Known Member
I agree, some seedlings may enjoy that light that close, but I recommend placing it about a foot above the seedling until it has a few sets of leaves. and yes, too much light can effect the plant even if there is no heat from the light. Not sure about the light drying out the plant, more like radiant heat.
 
thanks, i was asking cause i watered her 2 nights ago and yesterday the soil was dry as hell but there was no heat, thanks will raise the light.
 

mcgravity

Active Member
...I would use fluorescents until the plant is a few inches tall. Too much light can harm a young one...if you MUST use the HPS, make sure your a good distance away.


i will be planting my seeds very soon , i will be using fluorscents untill 3 - 4 inch tall then get my 600w out , but what type of fluorscent can i use can it be just a standrd house hold one with normal bulb ?
 

trichlone fiend

New Member
yes, I like to use the 4 foot shop lights that everyone has sit'n around their house. I use one cool white bulb, and one warm white bulb....keep the fluorscents about 2 inches away from the plant tops....your on your way!
 

GimpDoctor420

Active Member
the light can bleach the chlorophyll in a plant, but you'd probably need more than a 150 watt hps. however seedlings are less hardy than bigger plants, so shes in danger of growing too close to the light and burning herself :( id keep it a foot or so away. three inches is too close.

and mcgravity you should look it up but either use the t5's or just some ordinary 5000k cfl's
the cfls are great because they dont get hot at all pretty much, so you can put them riiiight down on your babies :)
 

mcgravity

Active Member
the light can bleach the chlorophyll in a plant, but you'd probably need more than a 150 watt hps. however seedlings are less hardy than bigger plants, so shes in danger of growing too close to the light and burning herself :( id keep it a foot or so away. three inches is too close.

and mcgravity you should look it up but either use the t5's or just some ordinary 5000k cfl's
the cfls are great because they dont get hot at all pretty much, so you can put them riiiight down on your babies :)

thanks for the advice :D
 
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