what is a good lighting and setup for seedlings?

What would you guys think? I have everything figured out except seedling lighting and prep. Any help is apriciated. Thanks in advance. I have a 60 watt CFL but don't know how far away to keep the seedlings. I want to do six plants.
 

Dr. Who

Well-Known Member
The better the light (but not overpowering) the better & faster your children will do....
For seedlings through "solo cup" I run a 4 bulb T5 set in a 2'x4'x5' area and keep my temp a bit warm at around 76-80F
The seedlings stay under a seed tray "dome" until "potting" in solo cups to root out for transplant into the final pots...
The light is kept as close to the top of the dome as I can, Solo cup plants tend to get a bit taller then the seedling dome.
I do my first topping in the cups and return them from the "topping stress" and then final transplant to the full size pots.
 

Garden weeds

Active Member
Hi, at the very start of my grow cycle (veg) once my germinated seeds are in the pots I put them in my grow tent and use 4 125w CFL lights for 8 unsprouted plants. I have them very close to the pots until they spout. Once they have all sprouted and are on to there 2nd node I add an extra 2 125w CFL lights. So I use a total of 6 lights (750w total) for 8 plants, when they are at the final stages of VEG I may add an extra 1 or 2 125w CFLs. I don't use a dome IMO it has always worked for me without one. The amount of light depends on the amount of plants ofcourse. For 6 plants I would use a total of 4 CFLs minimum 125w each, I have been growing a while now and I get good results with the above ^. The more light the better, as long as your not burning your plants. Hope this helps. Good Luck .. GW
 

plaguedog

Active Member
Yes. It's a bullshit myth that you can't use HiD for seedlings, just don't put the light right on top of them.
 

Garden weeds

Active Member
I know people who have vegged with 600w hps lol. flourescents are much better but nearly any sort of grow light will work.. GW
 
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