Light sources queswtion

Hi all

I have a spare room which I was considering using for propogation and was wondering if this could be done? If so what light sources would be required to simulate sun light?

The problem is that I have all these seedlings now and didn't really think about where I was going to keep them when I sowed the seeds and now I have just potted up about 200 seedlings from cornflower and lupins to aquilegia and sunflower. I can't just keep them in the garden because they will get ruined by my three young children. So, could I grow them and bring them on inside under suitable light before planting out in autumn?

Thanks in advance

 

I think you need to plant them out now or very soon, once big enough.

They are mostly hardy plants so would not like being kept indoors.

 

You could use lights, indoors, but a greenhouse or even cold frame would be far better (and cheaper).

I have a 400W metal halide lamp that I used for plants that need to grow (rather than just "survive") over the Winter. It covers about a metre square, and can sit considerably above the plants - so its fine if there are plants of different heights.

A 400W lamp, reflector, "ballast", Timer will cost you about £100. You can share the timer with a second light, so at a guess two lamps would be £250 - £275. It is recommended that you replace the bulb each year.

For seedlings and cuttings you can use fluourscent lights. You need a bank of them - i.e. side-by-side almost touching,a nd then have to be within 2" or so of the leaves. Much more difficulty if the plants are of any height, or indeed different heights, as the light does not penetrate the canopy at all.

The fittings for fluorescent lights are not cheap (because, in this application, you need a lot of them. But the tubes are cheap, and last a long time.

1W run 24/7 on Day tariff is about £1.50 a year. Assuming you ran the lights for 8 hours a day that's around 4P / Watt / month.

So a 400W Lamp will cost you £16 per month.

Fluorescent lamps use less Watts, and produce much less heat. The heat is not an issue in the Winter - although it costs £16 a month, most of that is output as "heat" so reduces the central heating bill somewhat.

I got my lights from Hydroponics online grow shop supplying hydroponic equipment

 

my sister uses her spare room and even has a plastic greenhouse in the room ,has done a fantastic job on her seeds,some of the produce has been planted out since and now been eaten or flowering in garden ,no special lamps needed go for it

 

I think I may be better off buying an outside green house. I'll post for advice on what to get in the appropriate forum. Thanks for your comments.