Question About Light For A Seedling

Miko2

Well-Known Member
I'm an outdoor grower, but sadly it's damn hot out there right now, tried few times to start from seeds, but I think heat killed them . (2 baby leaves showed up, but 2 days later they were dead)

So before I put it outdoor again, I want to give it a little time (a week or so) indoor, til it becomes strong enough for the outdoors.

I don't want to spend money on lights, I have a "red" (or orange) light in the room, Is that good enough to make a seed develop til it's a week+- old ?

Thanks :)
 

churchhaze

Well-Known Member
What do you mean a "red (or orange)" light?

I'm an outdoor grower, but sadly it's damn hot out there right now, tried few times to start from seeds, but I think heat killed them . (2 baby leaves showed up, but 2 days later they were dead)

So before I put it outdoor again, I want to give it a little time (a week or so) indoor, til it becomes strong enough for the outdoors.

I don't want to spend money on lights, I have a "red" (or orange) light in the room, Is that good enough to make a seed develop til it's a week+- old ?

Thanks :)
 

RAYRAY420SMOKEWEEDEREDAY

Well-Known Member
what wattage is your red/orange light and what type is it ?
If you don't want to spend money you can use any lights your using around/in your house.Generally in Veg you want to avg 80-120 watts per plant. More is always better for bigger yields and faster grows but you could get away with less than that starting off and only for short time like you said.
I would use CFLs over Incandescents because they give off less heat which allows you to hang your light closer to plants. Generally want few inch spacing between your plants and lights. But with cfls and a fan blowing over them you can even get as close as an inch. Plus a fan is good to help circulate air and help strengthen/condition your plants.
Also suggest slowly bringing them outside gradually leaving them outside longer and longer until they are outside for good to help harden them
 

Miko2

Well-Known Member
what wattage is your red/orange light and what type is it ?
If you don't want to spend money you can use any lights your using around/in your house.Generally in Veg you want to avg 80-120 watts per plant. More is always better for bigger yields and faster grows but you could get away with less than that starting off and only for short time like you said.
I would use CFLs over Incandescents because they give off less heat which allows you to hang your light closer to plants. Generally want few inch spacing between your plants and lights. But with cfls and a fan blowing over them you can even get as close as an inch. Plus a fan is good to help circulate air and help strengthen/condition your plants.
Also suggest slowly bringing them outside gradually leaving them outside longer and longer until they are outside for good to help harden them
I don't have CFL, but I do have an emergency LED light, Is LED a good idea ?
 

jacksthc

Well-Known Member
Yer this will work ok for a week
Worst case they may stretch a bit

gernated seeds under 12 watts of light (t5 twin tube) before now

worked really well, used extra light when they reached 3" as they had 2 sets of leaves by then
(about 7 days old)

if the lights not too hot, you want to keep the light as close to the seedling as you can( kept my t5' 1" above the seeding) after they start to gernate, I don't use any light till the leaves open and seed case falls off, as it keep the temps low and humidty high
 
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jacksthc

Well-Known Member
Not sure, never used a led.
3.6w is low watts but if its kept as close as you can to the seedling is sould be ok for a few days
 

GreenthumbQC

Well-Known Member
Buy a 23w cfl for these situations. Anyways as an outdoor grower your better to start seedlings indoors anyways!
 

Miko2

Well-Known Member
Just a second thought
any window seal where you can put the seedling?
Yeah, I plan on placing it a half day on the outer side of a window seal, and the rest under this small LED light...... only half cause It's hot and cause the other side of the house isn't hidden enough from people.. ;) zero chances I take.
 
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