Grow light

[raine]

Hi all, I was recently bought a grow light table and I'm itching to start using it! I was wondering if I start seeds off under it- will I need to use a heated propagator? I have no idea so any info gratefully received!

[jackarmy]

I dont own one but i think the point is to stop the seedlings getting leggy so no theres no need to propergate under it.
Propergate the seeds, once they hatch ( x birdkeeper ) then remove them from the incubator and place them under the growlight...those with better info will pop along soon

At least, no need to switch light on untill seedlings appear, how near are your seeds to a brighr windowsill ?

[bario1]

Depends what you want to grow, Raine. If you're looking to get a head start with chillies, toms etc, then you might get better results with a heated prop, as these seeds require warm soil to germinate in - put them under lights as soon as they appear.
If it's stuff like salad leaves you want to grow, you could just start them in trays under the lights, as they don't need any bottom heat to germinate.

Good luck!

[Penellype]

I currently have peas, lettuces, mizuna, komatsuna, microgreens and tomato seedlings under my lights. I don't use a heated propagator, but I do use a covered tray for germinating the seeds (and the tomatoes go in the spare bedroom near the boiler to germinate). I use my grow lights for growing on all of my seedlings in the time between germination and hardening off. Much better than windowsills as the light comes from above rather than one side.

[raine]

Brilliant- thanks very much! The grow light is important because I don't have windowsills that are very bright so things do get rather leggy. I know it might be a bit early but I can't wait!

[bario1]

I've already got some chilli seedlings growing under lights (sown 13th Jan), and they are at the same stage they were in April last year!

[Potstubsdustbins]

If you mean something like the grow light garden which I have I would hang fire a couple of weeks other wise your plants will out grow your set up before you have anywhere suitable to move them on to.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Yeah! A little like "Pots" I agree! I have invested in a grow light this year, but am in no way rushing to sow seed, most Don,t need light to germinate but once "Popped" need as much light as they can get! But Don't rush into it! As he said, once up n doing there business? Then where do ya put em? After all, we are only just "Scraping" into February!

[bario1]

The growlight garden can accommodate plants up to about 30cm tall - if my chillies are that big by April I'll eat my hat!

[Penellype]

I eat a lot of mine as microgreens and baby leaves at this time of year. Much nicer to eat than hats

[Potstubsdustbins]

Bario 2 points (1) we can't assume the OP is talking about chillies. (2) Plants have a tendency to grow sideways as well.

The point being it can get over crowded and if you have nowhere to move them onto that presents a problem,

[spamvindaloo]

I'd also be tempted to hang fire unless you are growing something that needs a long season. I have started some chillies in a heated propagator in a growlight garden (both new this year). Some of them have already been moved out of the propagator under another growlight which I only got yesterday (I made the hanging frame from conduit, having pinched the idea from Deano's piccy - cheers Deano ).Growing under lights is new to me so I'll probably make mistakes but I'm not in any great rush to sow anything else. I'm quite surprised at the number of people who have posted that they have already sown their tomatoes (and wonder if they will regret their haste...)

[Scoot]

I'd also be tempted to hang fire unless you are growing something that needs a long season. I have started some chillies in a heated propagator in a growlight garden (both new this year). Some of them have already been moved out of the propagator under another growlight which I only got yesterday (I made the hanging frame from conduit, having pinched the idea from Deano's piccy - cheers Deano ).Growing under lights is new to me so I'll probably make mistakes but I'm not in any great rush to sow anything else. I'm quite surprised at the number of people who have posted that they have already sown their tomatoes (and wonder if they will regret their haste...)

I always sow my tomatoes on 1st February, they've always been fine.

[bario1]

I'm only going to be using mine for chillies, 2 each of four varieties. I've never grown under lights before, so I'm prepared to get it wrong - it's just that of everything I've ever grown, chillies have been the biggest disappointment (oh no, hang on, that's aubergines, but chillies come close) - so this is my last ditch attempt to give them the start they need for the short Scottish season. I'm not even bothering with aubergines this year.

[Jungle Jane]

I sowed two sweet million (cordon type) tomatoes mid February last year. They outgrew my lights then grew leggy by the window. They were the tallest tomato plants I've ever seen,about 7ft tall,I had to curl the tops to fit in my walk in blow away. They had smaller leaves resulting in less fruit per truss than the same plants that were sowed in March. The only bonus was about 6 early tomatoes,it was worth it for the early tomatoes at the time but the plants would have done better with a March sowing,because I can't plant them out till about May. I've got sweet n neat cherry toms that only grow to 12" to try this year,they should be easier to manage,might still get a bit thin & leggy though,I'l try & wait a couple more weeks,otherwise in a couple of weeks they'l have to be moved to a dull windowsill. It's good to see the comparison between sowing in February & sowing in March.