There are many different types of indoor growing setups you can buy. Some of the prices are out of this world (up to $300). I am not even talking about mega-expensive Metal Halide grow lights that commercial greenhouses use, I am still talking about simple, cheap, 4 foot fluorescent lighting here.
We will need at least one, 4 Foot 2 Lamp 40 watt Fluorescent fixture. One will do you for 2 flats of seedlings (36, 48 or 72 cell trays). This is more than enough for most people. They cost either $20 at Home Depot, or a couple of bucks at an online community page such as Craig’s List or Kijiji.ca.
The most important characteristic of your lighting that you are going to want here is full spectrum lighting (or close enough). To get this with a simple 4 foot – 2 lamp fixture you are going to need to purchase two types of bulbs. You will need a Cool-White and a Warm-White. Together, these will provide a good enough spectrum for our seedlings to help grow and think that they are getting real sunlight. You will see the difference between the light that the bulbs create; the Cool-White produces a bluish light, while the Warm-White a reddish or pinkish light.
There are several ways that you can now use this lighting to provide the light to your soon to be seedlings. You first need to think about a couple of things;
Your light needs to be as close to your seedlings as possible. I am talking no more than 3 inches away, (the heat from a fluorescent light is negligible, there might be a degree difference). You need to consider the fact that the seedlings will be gaining height on a daily / weekly basis, always reaching for the light. To accommodate this, we need to ensure that we can move the light up and up some more.
There are several ways to accomplish this, one is that you can put your light on a chain system where you can simply raise the lamp by putting a bolt through progressive loops in the chain, or you can build a stand that will allow the light to traverse up a support that will accomplish the same effect.
What I propose is a simple, cost effective way that we can do this on the cheap. The only tools you will require is a handsaw (or other cutting tool), and a screwdriver.
–Jay
Written by Jay
Nick Lindauer founded Hot Sauce Blog in 2004, making it one of the internet's very first hot sauce review sites. After 20+ years of tasting, reviewing, and attending every major fiery foods event in the country, he's back behind the keyboard covering the hot sauce world he helped build.
8 responses to “Makin’ Habaneros – Part V: Makin’ up the “Grow Op” – Lighting”
My white habs from pepper joe germinated in exactly seven days. First shoots were visible this morning.
Good work! Mine last year took 15 days to show. I just got my seeds planted yesterday looking forward to 96 little young ones soon! (Sounds like something a spider would say 🙂 )
My trinidad scorpions and red savinas come up in 11 days. Jolokias and fatallis have yet to show themselves. Have 64 plants total to care for. I really like these posts you’re doing. Kind of thought this was the way to go. Now I’m feeling pretty good knowing others do it this way also. Can’t wait to get em outside in the ground.
I do not have the space for full spectrum lighting, unfortunately. I’m hopeful that I can emulate the results of the poster from Quebec City who said he just left his by the window and they ended up ok.
Hudd,
Thank you. I have read that the jolokias can be a bit stubborn, up to 25 days. Make sure you keep the soil warm and moist and they will come through.
This is my first year doing Jolokias so I can’t really say from experience. Hopefully you don’t have to wait too long, I do know that the waiting feels like an eternity
–Jay
I’ve heard that the jolokias take awhile. I am keeping the soil moist and right now I have 100 watt GE Reveal bulbs about 18 inches above them for the warmth. I plan on putting the flourescent fixture with grow bulbs in it one day this week now that I have quite a few started to get away from the heat. Don’t want to burn em up now that they’re up.
Hudd,
Have you taken a look at heat mats AKA Starting Mats? I order mine from Leevalley.com, I am sure you can find them anywhere that sells gardening / greenhouse equipment.
They cost about $25 each and are large enough for one tray.
–Jay
Got mine set up in my spare bedroom near the heat vent so I’m thinking it should be fairly warm. I just put up a 4 ft fixture with 40 watt plant grow bulbs. Noticed a couple fatallis peeking through the soil tonight.