Can I use a 40W high intensity bulb in a desk lamp for seedlings?
General NY
I went to the store to get a bulb to supplement the lighting on my seedlings. I figured I would try and get a bulb to fit one of the old desk lamps I have lying around. I stupidly didn't write down the details of the bulbs recommended by people on here and I came home with a high intensity bulb. It is 40W to suit the fixture in the lamp and 440 lumens (I don't know if that is relevant). Will this work? I have tried googling it but not getting much information.
This is the bulb: GE high intensity
Posted
by: Sophie Brooks
(3 points)
Posted: April 9, 2013
Answers
It'll probably work but I've never tried these bulbs. Danny is right, florescent tubes are the cheapest type of lighting to use and they cover a larger area. As a general rule for plants I use florescent for sprouting and rooting, metal halide for growth and high pressure sodium for fruiting/ flowering. Keep your lights raised about 12" above the plant for maximum light uptake by the plants. The key for most plants is strong light for the 1st 3-4 hours of the day, so if you can set up your light and plants in a window with morning sun you should see sprouts soon.
Posted
by: J.D. Archer
(31 points)
Posted: April 10, 2013
Sophie Brooks commented,
Thanks for your response. The seeds have germinated and I have tiny little seedlings, will the high intensity be ok or should I switch it out with a cool white or something else? over 11 years ago.
Thanks for your response. The seeds have germinated and I have tiny little seedlings, will the high intensity be ok or should I switch it out with a cool white or something else? over 11 years ago.
Yes, they will work. You can try shortening the amount of time you use the lights - Seedlings may only require a short burst of light to trigger the necessary metabolic processes thus they don't need light all the time. And you save power!
Posted
by: Cornelis
(2 points)
Posted: April 11, 2013
Cornelis commented,
Hi Sophie,
You could begin with as little as 20min @ 2am and increase to 2 hours incrementally - this way you will be able to tell what time length is effective.
over 11 years ago.
Hi Sophie,
You could begin with as little as 20min @ 2am and increase to 2 hours incrementally - this way you will be able to tell what time length is effective.
over 11 years ago.
I would suggest going to a pet store and buying a reptile light. you can get them in flourescent and being they give a pet snake or lizard or other reptile the needed light they also work well for seedlings. they are rather expensive but work wonderfully. also remember to put it on a timer so plants get required amount of darkness for photosynthesis to work properly. also a small fan gives circulation and helps strengthen stems.
Posted
by: john faust
(5 points)
Posted: April 12, 2013
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