T5 light distance from rooting clones?

[ballplayer 2]

Hey guys, what distance do you keep your t5's from clones attempting to root? I have a 4' 4 bulb t5 lighting sytem I would be using.

Also, I was reading through an older thread I came across in a search which stated the t5 systems do not work as well for rooting clones. The reasoning (as well as some anecdotal eveidence) was that the bulbs typically used in the t5 systems are either very blue or very red. The posters in that thread hypothesized the clones did not want to root because most plants would see no reason to root in late autumn or winter, the seasons those bulbs are attempting to replicate.

I am thinking I might be better off using a couple of T12 4' bulbs and a Daylight (3000-3500K) CFL to achieve rooting.

What are your experiences and advice on this subject?

Thank you very much for your time, interest, and input.

 

[MedCo]

I have not seen any burn keeping my T5's 10-14" above the humidity domes. Keep an eye on the temps with the hand check, or use a thermometer if you prefer an more accurate reading. Keep your humidity dome at very high humidity until the first sign of roots.

I personally haven't mastered ROOTing yet (well maybe I have... tehe ... nm) I do have a high success rate though, but no giant "Caterpillars" coming out of my rockwool ...

Maybe I will cut a few clones just to play with with roots under my given conditions. In my opinion, personal experience beats anything read, although being pointed in the right direction is nice.

Good luck ballplayer

 

[talktosamson]

I have a 2 foot 8 bulb T5 and my cloning rate is great. Like the above poster said, I keep my light 10 or so inches above the humidity dome and never had a problem with burning. This and a seedling mat has made me a very good clones actually.

 

[BPJR]

I have mine about 8" or so above my clones without any issue.

 

[Mitch Connor]

Single 54w 4ft T5 about 3" from tops no problems. Canopy temp 77 ambient 75 rh 70%

I use it to veg the clones after they root for about an extra week too, hence the close distance to not waste lumens

 

[habeeb]

Ive done normal T-5 and overdriven T-5"s at distance from 4-8 inches, Ive done multiple bulbs and 1 bulb cloning, I stick to less watts now..


all works, which works the bests, I have yet to say, my sweet spot as of now is about 6 inches from the tops


just ddont worry about it, and you'll be fine. I am not sure why people have a problem cloning, but I suggest people "master" it, as it is a valuable tool, and to master is with any method ( coco, peat, aero, plugs.. ) so you can be versatile

 

[ronbo51]

Probably the two biggest factors with cloning are heat and sterility. Keeping your shit clean and using some form of sterile technique is important. High quality no nute pro mix with some extra vermiculite and perlite. The hardest part of rooting in such a large container is to be able to keep the whole gallon warm during root formation. I don't know if a heat mat would reach the top where the cutting is. I only clone one way and its the way I was taught and I've never done anything different and I always had my T5's as close as I could get them, partly for the heat. My formula, all praise to Kevin, is simple: 8oz nearly clear green beer cup(to see the roots), fill with already wet medium, make a hole with a sharpie, take and dip cutting. Firm soil around cutting, cover the top of the cup with a sandwich baggie and wrap it tight with a rubber band. Make a one inch slit in the side of the baggie and put it under the lights, real close. Better than good.

 

[localman]

Probably the two biggest factors with cloning are heat and sterility. Keeping your shit clean and using some form of sterile technique is important. High quality no nute pro mix with some extra vermiculite and perlite. The hardest part of rooting in such a large container is to be able to keep the whole gallon warm during root formation. I don't know if a heat mat would reach the top where the cutting is. I only clone one way and its the way I was taught and I've never done anything different and I always had my T5's as close as I could get them, partly for the heat. My formula, all praise to Kevin, is simple: 8oz nearly clear green beer cup(to see the roots), fill with already wet medium, make a hole with a sharpie, take and dip cutting. Firm soil around cutting, cover the top of the cup with a sandwich baggie and wrap it tight with a rubber band. Make a one inch slit in the side of the baggie and put it under the lights, real close. Better than good.

I have all of these things, and I am bored.. guess it cant hurt to chop up some babies today.. Thank you for the suggestion.. As I hate rockwool Too

 

[speedyrpg]

every one does thing there own way. so i use my dome sell it 4 two weeks. prob temp & humit. send mat under clons & t-5 depends on weather u have a fan blowing on it or not! keep in mind the closer the light the shorter the nodes. good luck. speedy

 

[indoor/outdoor]

YO BALLER 2! WATS UP PLAYER,I READ YOUR QUESTIONS ANDJUST WANTED TO SAY THAT THE PROPER COLOR TEMPERATURE FOR YOUR 54W T5 HO LAMPS IS 6500K.

 

[simos]

I'm sure the extra lumens don't hurt, but you really don't need that much light to get cuttings to root...

T5s are best saved for veg growth, IMO.

Cool white T12s and/or spiral CFLs kept as close as possible to the cuttings/humidity dome will yield equally good results as T5s raised further than their optimum range. Might as well use the cheaper alternative if you can with no ill effects, right?