New to growing your own tomatoes? This is the forum to learn the successful techniques used by seasoned tomato growers. Questions are welcome, too.
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
March 2, 2015 | #16 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
|
I hung the light close over one flat, and the first seeds to sprout are the ones right under the bulb, which makes sense because they were getting heat from it. My room temp is about 75-80, and the other seeds are sprouting as well.
Taxi from Johnny's is the most prolific right out of the gate: http://i.imgur.com/mz8stIs.jpg I am using Burpee's seed starting mix from Menard's: http://www.menards.com/main/p-2222920-c-10125.htm I like it very much so far. The tops of the cells don't crust over like they do when I use a peat-based pro mix. The seeds are not having any problem breaking through to the surface. I did mix in some Mycogrow I had from last year. I also used an aerated compost tea as my initial soil soak. I am sold on that technique, and plan to keep doing it. It makes everything go faster. |
March 11, 2015 | #17 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Southern Maryland 7a
Posts: 200
|
I love the 5 gal bucket. I used to save all I could find, My wife made me throw some away. But anyway looks like a neat set up. The 5 gal bucket thing just appeals to the redneck neck in me.
Keep us posted and thanks for sharing!
__________________
Anybody see where I sat my beer? -crazyoldgooseman |
March 11, 2015 | #18 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Frisco Texas
Posts: 390
|
I wired up 4 of these. I love the LED's because at 5 Watts each they only use 20 Watts.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/E27-38-138-LED-2-3-5-7W-Plant-Grow-Light-Bulb-Garden-Hydroponic-Lamp-Store0O333D_20140122035825560.jpg/310887578084?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkpa rms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3 D28773%26meid%3Ddec0073f3eb141618f3190fd6e257373%2 6pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D2617295975 29&rt=nc |
June 21, 2016 | #19 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Nevada
Posts: 275
|
Hi Robbie. Very creative. However, I am a 75 year old woman with limited carpentry skills. But your photos lead me to think outside the box. I have a 4 ft table in that room that perhaps I could find something to put on top of to hang lights. This was the piece of furniture I was thinking I would have to get rid of to make room for a shelf system. I suppose I could make some kind of PVC frame to sit on top of it. Don't know what kind of weight it would carry.
|
June 22, 2016 | #20 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
|
Thank you.
You might try clip lights, or any old desk lamp you can find as a grow light. Just put the biggest spiral CFL bulb in it you can find. The bulb is the most expensive part. You can order them in 250 and 350 "watt equivalent." Sometimes you will need a cheap little thing called a socket extender for a bigger bulb to fit into a smaller housing. |
February 20, 2018 | #21 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Greater Cincinnati
Posts: 9
|
Quote:
CFL's are now very hard to find and seems all one can find is LED. I would think one could modify this to LED flood lights for direction light and then the bucket might not even be necessary or maybe use some foam insulation board shiny side as a reflector. |
|
February 20, 2018 | #22 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Illinois, zone 6
Posts: 8,407
|
I have noticed that the larger CFL bulbs are no longer at Menard's.
I just looked on Amazon. Here is one: https://www.amazon.com/250W-Equal-65...CEI/ref=sr_1_4 |
|
|