What lights should I use for propogation?

[James!]

Hello

I am in the process of building a grow cab and I am going to put in a small propagation area (for about 8 seedlings). I was just wondering what lights are best to use for this (what type to use?, what wattage to use?, what spectrum should they be? etc.), I have heard that CFL's are a good idea ?

Much apprecaited

James!

 

[polyarcturus]

any low level light is good i prefer to clone under red spectrum light, 5000k or 5500 cfl is great often i will just clone off to the side in the flowering room, they just need indirect light or soft light, nothing intese. you can root 10 cuttings under a 26w cfl easy.

 

[inhaleindica]

T5 and T8s are great. I like to use 6400K for these.

 

[Solemhypnotic]

I use cfl's since I grow in small spaces. Love the low heat

 

[James!]

Thanks Guys

I have found a 55w, Full spectrum 5000k CFL... Good idea or over kill? And aren't those T series lights the long ones if they are are there anyones I can get that are like a foot long (Hot dog sized ) heard nothing but good things about them but thought they were too long?

Thanks

James!

 

[cues]

I use 2x23w cfls in a 1x2 cabinet just big enough to fit a standard size propogator. I use 6500k (veg) but I have to as tight internodal spacing is critical to me. Cheap too.

 

[James!]

6500k for the seedlings? I looked up some things on it and people say 5000k to 5500k is good, must I believe them .... So far I have found a foot sized T5 fitting and blub at 8w (gonna get 2 of them) so is 16w good enough also gonna be in a small section of my cabinet maybe 2 wide x 1 high.

Thanks

James!

 

[Sir.Ganga]

A rough gauge is 10,000 lumen per square foot of space for goor growth rate. A 4 light 2ft. T-5 for the tops and a couple of cfl's for additional and our golden.

I only use 6500k for propping and vegging. I found that adding red made them lanky. I set my table to the side of my vegg area and the side light is enough for them.

 

[James!]

Hmmm maybe I shouldn't listen to others so is 6500k on the blue end of the scale.... Remember this is for propagation and in a small space for a few plants I can always get a different spectrum light bulb and keep the fixture, right?

Thanks

James!

 

[Smokedyeah]

yes 6500k is blue colored 2700k is kind of yellow and 5000k has a little bit of a red spectrum i only use cfls

 

[polyarcturus]

well kelvin rating arent very accurite but in design a 5000k bulb puts off a beeter overall spectrum but once you hit some real growth more blue is better for the most part.

anyways x2 8w bulbs isnt bad. but you can get cfls that put off more lumens 55w would have been just fine

 

[James!]

Thanks

The two 8w bulbs are just gonna see the seedlings through about 2 weeks of their growth and then I will move them up to the HID chamber, I only have a small space to do the seedlings in anyways , sound good? ... Oh and should I go for the 6000k CFL bulbs or 5000k for the seedlings

Muchos Gracias

James!

 

[polyarcturus]

sounds good i would do a 5000k bulb and a 6500k bulb

 

[cues]

I need 6500K as I do a single plant 'U-scrog' in a very tight space (height-wise) and I need to hit 4 nodes in the first 3 inches of main stem. The other trick I do is to place the rooted cutting between 2 cfls, not below them. When veg growth has started, I fim at 4th node then every 2nd node from side growth (every 3 as the screen fills). I swear I could fim with a blindfold on now!

 

[Sir.Ganga]

If you have a small space then 6500k is what you want. Keep the light close so the little ones do not stretch as much.

 

[James!]

Learnt something new so you say put them between the cfls, is this fine even if I use a propagaiton dome? Or is using a dome a whole new ball game ? , Will go with the 6500k and if I can get a 5000k then ill get one too... Thanks guys, you have been very helpful Thanks James!

 

[dirtysouthgenetics]

any thing but a heat lamp..lost 200 worth of seed

 

[James!]

Sorry to hear that dude.... Now you know for next time

R.I.P seedlings

James!

 

[cues]

Learnt something new so you say put them between the cfls, is this fine even if I use a propagaiton dome? Or is using a dome a whole new ball game ? , Will go with the 6500k and if I can get a 5000k then ill get one too... Thanks guys, you have been very helpful Thanks James!

I start under the lamps in a propogator until they root then remove the lid and lift the plant up between the lamps. It's only because I need so many nodes so soon. Another trick I use is to not only take tip cuttings but also along a branch (If that makes sense). The cuttings from these are, effectively already topped.

 

[James!]

Thanks Definately gonna put that into practise ... Yes it does make sense ... Now a few more things ... Humidity, what should it be at and will the humidity dome/propagation dome help with this? and lastly should i use just normal soil and add noting until thry go to the big girls room?

Thanks

James!