Light Intensity For Seedlings

[ImmersionNZ]

Nobody can seem to answer this inquiry.

Would I be wasting electricity putting day-old sprouted seedlings straight under an MH bulb?
Do seedlings this early even absorb that much light?
Under an 18/6 light schedule.
Will they grow at the same speed and size as if they were under some CFLs for the first week or so?
I understand proximity before they begin to burn.

So how much light do they need before they are under the MH bulb until flower?

 

[Dieseltech]

Nobody can seem to answer this inquiry.

Would I be wasting electricity putting day-old sprouted seedlings straight under an MH bulb?
Do seedlings this early even absorb that much light?
Under an 18/6 light schedule.
Will they grow at the same speed and size as if they were under some CFLs for the first week or so?
I understand proximity before they begin to burn.

So how much light do they need before they are under the MH bulb until flower?

Technically you can start them with MH HPS anything u want Obviously each has to be adjusted properly

Hps for example they love the heat

 

[Hugo Phurst]

Nobody can seem to answer this inquiry.

A day old seedling does not need anything more than ambient light, & preferably no direct light, could get burnt.
I wait till the first set of true leaves have formed (or stretching) before the light intensity goes up.

From Royal Queen Seeds
• Clone and seedling stage: 5,000–7,000 lux

• Vegetative stage: 15,000–50,000 lux

• Flowering stage: 45,000–65,000 lux

 

[Drop That Sound]

Too many variables to answer that question if you ask me. If you had 1000's of seedlings spread out across a whole floor, with a practically free 1000 MH in the cold wintertime, would you be wasting then? Would you be better off spending 1000s of dollars on super duper efficient LED fixtures to cover the same area? While turning the dials down to less than 50% so you don't fry them, then also having to run a 1500 heater at the same time, using just as much if not more electricity than with the HID?

Also, they make MH bulbs\ballasts less than 100 watts, btw. 50s, 75s, 250's, and anything in between, including mini CMH. It would make sense to use a 150w or less MH for a small rack of seedlings, but not a 250 or 400, etc.

Anyway, I still prefer t-5s, but they are becoming increasingly expensive to maintain.. I'm setting up to grow dozens of racks of microgreens (full 10x20 trays of nothing but spread out seed growing on mesh screens) this year, and the cheapest most efficient way I found is using 9w screw in LED bulbs, bought in bulk 12 packs when on sale, and wired up with cheap extension cords and base sockets made into light stringers. Heck with CFL, just get some LED bulbs for your seedlings. There is no better way IMO.

 

[Herb & Suds]

Do seedlings grow under the immense power of the sun?

 

[HydoDan]

Cfl is all that is needed for seedlings..

 

[secretmicrogrow420]

everyone saying seedlings need 5000-7000 lux isnt wrong like theyre seedlings look how much space they take up how much light could that possibly need lol its tiny as fk but have you ever gotten yourself a lux meter and checked how intense 7000 lux is? that s$!t is weak as frick imo hit your seeds with 15000 lux they will love you for it I'm currently on my first grow and I started off my seeds with 15000 lux and when they got they're first true set of leaves I hit them with 30,000 lux lol they didn't complain one bit!

 

[CaliRootz88]

Sometimes we have to experiment by doing it.
Test out some seedlings and see for yourself the results. If they look sad or mad lower the light intensity and or raise the light. It’s not always black and white. Play with the planties.. get them wet. Give them sun(or light).. and observe for her showing pleasure.
We have growers on here using their urine for assist with growing. Anything is possible as long as you willing to try and learn and move forward.