starting seeds indoors, what lights should i use?

[GrnMtFinn]

Yo fellas, I would love to strike seeds at the patch this summer, but as it turns out I'm going to be wrapped up in some work out of state for the next couple weeks. My only option now is starting indoors with lights. Maybe run them for 3 weeks or so. I'll build a box in my basement. I don't have a lot of cash to throw around at this point. 100 bucks on lights at the most.

that's the scenario. what do you guys suggest? I'm thinking CFLs, but I don't know much about lumen requirements for seedlings and things of that nature. Please help me out here, I've only got a couple more days to scrap this shit together. Be good.

 

[GrnMtFinn]

IS ANYBODY OUT THERE out there out there out there

 

[Guest129216]

Hey man!

You don't need to spend much time nor energy nor lights nor cash, if your just gonna start them inside. Ofcourse they will grow faster with a hps light and all, but you don't "need" it.
You can just start them in a window even.
Hope someone can water them when you're away.
The first weeks they don't smell or requiere much ventilation.
Put them as close as possible to the cfl or they will stretch. That doesn't really matter either though, cause when you put them outside the sun and the wind will make the plant strong and healthy.

Hope to see a phat treegrow from you.

Sorry if I gave a bad explanation, It's six in the morning here and I just woke up....
Ask if there's something you didn't understand.

Later.

 

[mrred]

you dont want a hps, you want a MH or CMH with a fan blowing on high and directly at them, MH is good because its better for veg and produces more females, or anything light mosty blue

invest in a light that you can use in the winter DIY ballasts are cheap and easy

cfls will do you just fine for this job seedlings almost any cfls will work, good air circulation is most important so you toughen the seedlings

the sun and wind will beat the crap out of your plants so you gotta make sure there all buff before you set them out

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Just pick up a couple sockets and some lamp cords. Wire up 4-6 26w CFL's and keep them a few inches away from them. You'll be fine.

Just be sure to give them time to adjust to the sun when you put them outside.... their leaves will be adapted for CFL lighting... not the sun. Takes a day or so for the leaves to change to the sun... read up on "Hardening Off" if you need more info.

Stay Safe!

 

[NickMode]

i used a shop light fro home depot.

with those long 42in tubes. works fine for like the first month

 

[madb]

Fluoro's if you can. I veg mine for as long as i can then send em outside, works everytime.

 

[High Country]

Don't put seedlings under a high intensity discharge globe, HPS or MH, you will cook them. I use 2 36W flouro batons for clones and mums.

If I did the seed thing I would use the same light until a good root system has developed and then on to a HID globe.

 

[GrnMtFinn]

much appreciated. 18/6 photoperiod?

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Don't put seedlings under a high intensity discharge globe, HPS or MH, you will cook them.

Not really.... if that were the case... no plants would grow outdoor and my 12/12 from seed under 1K HPS wouldn't work either.

It all comes down to knowing what you're doing. That's all.

Stay Safe!