Grow lights, heaters etc, on a budget

No, I'm only going from what I remember reading on other sites - so Second Hand and relying on my unreliable memory.

My only thought is that LED providing just the wavelengths that plants need means that more of the electricity is converted into things that the plants can use, so increased efficiency and even if it doesn't look that bright to our eyes it probably is to a plant.

If you can be bothered you could perhaps put an upturned pot under one of the 1/4 size seed trays to get it as near to the top of propagator as possible to see if more light makes any difference (assuming whole of propagator is at desired temperature and you aren't relying on bottom-heat - having typed that I'll put money on you telling me "bottom heat" )

Once they are out of the propagator perhaps try some within 2" of LEDs and the other tray several inches further away?

 

My 'light box' is almost fully enclosed barring a vent so i'm just trying to simulate summertime...it goes on first thing in a morning and off at night....i'm presuming i'm doing it right..

 

@fat controller ....i honestly aren't sure .....

 

I don't think so. The more the merrier (if electricity cost is not an issue). However, I have read that there are some chemical processes that happen during the dark overnight, for some plants, but it all seemed very inconclusive, and was not clear which plant species.

When I first had a grow light (Metal Halide, very powerful) I had it on 18 hours a day and it only took some Cannas I sowed 8 weeks (in mid winter) from seed to flowering, so I am sure that bags of light can make a significant difference. Might not be the case for all plants (e.g. with onions I would be worried that long daylight hours would send the signal to "stop growing and make a bulb"). I've got some Monkey Puzzles, grown form seed, under my T5 lights for about 12 hours a day; they are notoriously slow to grow initially but they are 10cm tall already (germinated about 6 weeks ago)

We need a university student who is desperate for inspiration of what to do for a project!!

Height of lighting from plants - steps of 2", 4", 6", 8"
Length of day - steps of 12 hrs, 16 hrs, 20 hrs
Crops - peppers, and some others ...

The Height and Day length combinations would need 12 panels ... its not all that many. And you'd get enough pots under each 1' square panel for 4 or 5 different crops.

Then another 12 x T5 tube lighting rigs to compare LED with Fluorescent.

I'll put up 100 quid in either sponsorship or, if bribery is more appropriate, then Beer Money

 

Well here's a update on the brugs I put under.
Without a doubt, the lights are definitely working
The chillis are on to there 2 second set of leaves.
The coleus are a little slower than the rest but still looking healthy (better than I've done before)
The problem with the brugs is that there getting too tall to go under the lights


My lights are on from 7.30am till around 10.30pm
Still the cannas and toms to start yet this weeken.
I think I'm going to order another panel

 

Raise the lights or lower the plants?

 

That's interesting Loofah....i feel a cress test coming on

 

Yesterday I finally ordered another one of these - been meaning to do it for a while - although I have not idea at the moment where I will be putting it.

Being rubbish at the DIY bit - and thought this not overly expensive (£60 delivered). Easily adjustable - and as I have had one for a few years I know it works. The light spreads outside the area although not as strong of course - but does the trick. Plug and go.

S.