lighting question

Subject: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 7:55 pm

Hi all I am going to be growing some cacti from seed, thanks to you all I have made the right decisions on heat mats, propagating sand, food and procedures.

now for the light question...

this add on to the house will be the area where it will be taking place, as you can see that it has that plastic corrugated roof ( its the cloudy type not the see through type ) which lets in light, its probably no as light as I would like it but it will have to do.

should I add more light?

UV or fluorescent?

I have a little UV light that I have hung over the growing area will this help or is it a waste of time?

Subject: Re: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 8:02 pm

Not sure about the UV, someone will know. Fluros are usually used, if I was you I would trial atleast one seed tray and see what results you get without a light, the light in that little area might just be sufficient, and if the experiment succeeds you will save a bit on your power bill etc.
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Subject: Re: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 8:07 pm

Subject: Re: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 8:10 pm

Not sure, probably wouldn't be too bad. I think most people seem to use cool white tubes, 2x 30cm tubes I think.

I can't really use any lights unfortunately, wish I could.
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Age : 35 Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 177 Location : Cairns

As far as I am aware, that type of UV light is unproductive at a distance greater than 15cm. Therefore unless you had plenty of them, I don't think they'll have an effect.

the use of a similar UV fluro tube increases the spread of light, but is still only productive when within 15cm of the subject.

Nothing beats the good ol sun aye Smile

So, check out what other grow lights you can get, there's plenty out there.

I used to use mecury vapour bulbs (very bright and very hot) they emit a near full spectrum, much better than just the UV.

Still... UV is normally the one thing that's missing behind glass, yet most plants grow well under glass Smile

Full spectrum is better IMO.

Subject: Re: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 8:15 pm

Subject: Re: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 8:16 pm

Age : 35 Joined : 26 Apr 2008 Posts : 177 Location : Cairns

Subject: Re: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 8:19 pm

Or direct sun rather.
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Subject: Re: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 8:19 pm

Subject: Re: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 8:20 pm

True.
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Subject: Re: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 8:22 pm

Direct sunlight? Can be anywhere from a year to two years usually, sometimes less depends on the seed and how much light exposure they are already used to.
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Subject: Re: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 9:18 pm

Light: "Real" sunlight is best over lights, but it varies for summer winter.

Summer - clear plastic 99.9% emitting is good (keeps out the rain) so that you can water in a controlled environment. Then add 50% - 75% shade cloth depending on where you live. You will need some sort of shade cloth. I started with 50% and burned some of my Gymnos and Lithops, but my bigger plans did ok. I added another layer of 50% and this gave me around 75% shade, which is where I put my seedlings over summer.

Winter - You DON'T need light to germinate them, but once they have germinated, they want light. Fluro's are good - up close 15cms to get heat and some light onto them, but eventually you will have to wean them onto sunlight. I just move mine after they have germinated in their baggies into filtered light and gradually open up the bag to reduce the humidity.

Looks like you have about 40 - 50% light without shadecloth, so I would probably lean towards lights in winter - fluros and in summer, just leave it without shadecloth.
But as per Trigs advice - try a tray of less prescious seed first.

Subject: Re: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 9:39 pm

cheers guys! Very Happy

are all fluro's adequate or is it a specific variety?

Subject: Re: lighting question Sun May 11, 2008 9:50 pm

What can I say - fluros aren't fluros:

but, cool white tubes would be good.

Fluros at 15 cms - heat and light would be a good start during autumn / winter.