Starting chillies under lights?

[smallblueplanet]

I've been thinking about starting some chillies early next year, does anyone here start stuff under lights? Or does anyone know anything about CFL lights?

[PAULW]

SBP
I sowed mine in Feb last year and never needed any lights but I did keep them in an electric propagator with the lid off till they were over six inch high and it was warm enough to put them out in the greenhouse.

[SarzWix]

Where's Crichmond when you need him? Have a search SBP, he did a load of stuff with lights/hydroponics which might have some useful info?

[sewer rat]

If you wanna start your chillies off in February, sow them in a propagator and put it on a windowsill - that's when I sow mine - and to the disgust of my OH, that's also where I put them. Don't see the point in hurrying them along too much with extra heat and light, as most chillies are notoriously slow germinators anyway.

[liejay]

hi, for the last couple of years i have started my chilli's under 20 watt energy savers, just need to make sure you choose the proper colour spectrum, the warm colour specs are'nt good for vegging so look for the cool light, two 20 watt bulbs will be enough for 8 or 10 chill'i seedlings and as they are cheap to run just set them on a timer and keep them on for at least 14 to 18 hours a day. :-)

[smallblueplanet]

Thats interesting liejay.

When you say 20w, is that 'new' energy bulb rating? Where (and what brand) do you buy, how much? I'm a bit out in the sticks here and will have to make a special journey or buy online. One last (silly) question - I'm only thinking of starting a couple of seed trays worth of chillies (and maybe a few aubs) early to try out, what do you put the bulbs in?

[Two_Sheds]

what do you put the bulbs in?

I've got a clip-on light for sewing with - it's just a bare lightbulb, with a flex, a clip, and a plug.
Poundshop.

A little bit like this ...

[Snadger]

I've got a clip-on light for sewing with - it's just a bare lightbulb, with a flex, a clip, and a plug.
Poundshop.

A little bit like this ...

Very innovatory TS............but does it work?

[Demeter]

I keep threatening my fish that i will flush them down the toilet and use their fishtank as a lightbox. (I wouldn't really, honest, but I bet a fishtank would be ideal for propagation, and you can get them free on freecycle)

[liejay]

hi, the bulbs are 18 or 20 watts with an output equivelant to 100 watts i got mine at b&q but have seen them even in corner shops and chemists for a couple of quid, i just bought a cheap junction box and a length of cable and wired them up as i use 4, also any old roundish shade will do and cover the inside with tinfoil or something reflective, i had 2 old 12 inch wok lids that work great as reflectors, start the chilli's as early as january and you will get a nice early crop

[Alison]

Sowed some chillies last year on 6 Jan, on a window ledge in a heated propogator. They came through surprisingly quicly and grew on with the cover off for a bit before being put on a table in our conservatory and eventually into the greenhouse after the frosts. No lights needed and turned the propogator off pretty quickly to save on wasted power, just put the lid back on (without the heat) overnight if it looked like it would be cold. Grew them hard and early and got a nice early crop. My Purple Tiger is still producing now although has been moved back inside and the Prairie Fire which I bought as a small plant in 2007 is flowering again on the kitchen window ledge. Both will be kept and repotted in the spring. I know that some people get on well with forcing their fruit and veg with lights and the like but am still be be convinced it's really necessary.

[smallblueplanet]

Well I've started chillies early too, and where they are kept on the kitchen table there isn't light enough, the difference more light makes is easy to see later in the season.

I want to grow some chillies with long growing seasons, so thanks liejay I'll lookout for some cool white low energy bulbs and some cheap bulb-holders. Oh for a Wilko's round here!

No wonder I can't buy any wok lids!

[Alison]

Well I've started chillies early too, and where they are kept on the kitchen table there isn't light enough, the difference more light makes is easy to see later in the season.

Last year was by far my most successful year as I now have a large utility room window ledge which gets a lot of light, even in winter (worth the cost of the house extension, just for that) and the conservatory is a God-send when it's too cold for the greenhouse. Previously I was trying to use the dining table which was far too dark and I ended up with loads of leggy and useless plants.

[lynda66]

i use my boiler cupboard for growing stuff in started seeds off in it this year........ lined with tin foil as it reflects the light back, and use a full spectrum light, think it was about £3 off ebay, with a clip on bulb holder. have used my fish tank light before too, one designed for plants, but the bulbs tend to be more expensive.