Have a great invention to help with gardening? Are you the self-reliant type that prefers Building It Yourself vs. buying it? Share and discuss your ideas and projects with other members.
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February 15, 2009 | #31 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Zone 4 NY
Posts: 772
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I just haven't had much success in the last two years. I can swap out all the bulbs for new ones but I have swapped bulbs and have a spare waiting. Everything just gets so leggy while down at the farmer's market where they have a rudimentary greenhouse and no lights, everything is stocky and beautiful. That convinced me I had to try something else/try harder. Maybe using mylar to reflect more of the light will help, that was an element I wasn't aware of. The last 2 years have been such crummy growing seasons that I want the seedlings as great as they can be when I plant out because the weather sure isn't going to cooperate! Maybe I should start knitting coats for all the plants, too, what with the cool nights!
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February 15, 2009 | #32 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E
Posts: 5,041
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Cool whites are around 4400k. During the grow phase you want ideally anything from 4400k up to 6400k with lights in the 5500k to 6400k (Blue) range preferred. For blooming your warm whites which are in the 2600k (Red) range are preferred. I'm looking for strong stocky seedlings hence my choice of the 5500k/6400k lights. Ami
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Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!' |
February 15, 2009 | #33 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: CT
Posts: 27
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Quote:
Jackster |
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February 15, 2009 | #34 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Northwest shore of Lake Ontario Zone 6b
Posts: 117
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Never used anything but cool white tubes
Just paid close attention to the height of the fixture and when I find seedlings getting too leggy, it's time for a transplant to the next size of cell/container/garden. |
February 16, 2009 | #35 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rock Hill, SC
Posts: 5,346
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Plant Lights are exorbitant.
You're perfectly fine to use 1 Cool White and 1 Daylight Deluxe.
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[SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I] |
February 16, 2009 | #36 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Rock Hill, SC
Posts: 5,346
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Quote:
I just keep the light bulbs within 1 inch of the tops of the plants. Do you have a fan running on your plants to force them to grow stronger stems? Keep in mind I've never had a problem with getting tomatoes even out of leggy plants.
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[SIZE="3"]I've relaunched my gardening website -- [B]TheUnconventionalTomato.com[/B][/SIZE] * [I][SIZE="1"]*I'm not allowed to post weblinks so you'll have to copy-paste it manually.[/SIZE][/I] |
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February 16, 2009 | #37 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 173
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Another vote for plain cool white tubes. I've never had a problem getting stocky seedlings. I do pay close attention to keeping them very close to the tubes and my plants are in a cool room (55 - 62). Good luck.
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February 16, 2009 | #38 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Kansas CIty
Posts: 560
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One cool, one warm...VERY close to the seedlings gets my vote as well!
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Kansas City, Missouri Zone 5b/6a |
March 3, 2009 | #39 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Zone 4 NY
Posts: 772
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I have taken all the advice into account. Some tasks are more easily achieved than others--some are non-starters. I'll check the bulbs to make sure what I have. The mylar sheet suggestion really appealed to me so I decided to do that when I read it and just now acted upon it. You can get the mylar space blankets on ebay for $1.25. For the size of my set-up that's perfect and I don't mind cutting them up at that price.
Thanks for all the help. Barb |
March 3, 2009 | #40 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E
Posts: 5,041
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Finally got my lights wired up and here's what they look like lit up. Ami
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Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!' |
March 4, 2009 | #41 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Broken Arrow, oklahoma
Posts: 23
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KBX
of the 25 types of tomatoes I have started this year I can not get the KBX to germinate. I purchased the seed in feb.and they been on heat mats for at least 10 days. It's getting to late to order more as I plant out in early April. Is this typical of KBX? dave
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March 4, 2009 | #42 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Germany 49°26"N 07°36"E
Posts: 5,041
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I know Ray had some late germination with KBX seeds I sent him. I found one of my batches was slow to germinate but the others were up and running in a week. Don't give up the ship just yet, give them another 10. Ami
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Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘...Holy Crap .....What a ride!' |
March 4, 2009 | #43 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Fairfax, VA Z7
Posts: 524
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Try placing the KBX mix/seeds in your oven with the oven light turned on and the oven door wedged open 1/4 inch. See if that will provide addition heat for the mix and assist in germination.
George |
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