Good article! in Light Spectrum's Effects on Plants -- Part II

By drdawg
February 23, 2015

Previously I wrote about light spectrum ranges and how those ranges affect plants. This light range is measured in nanometers, or what's called Kelvin (the K number is printed on fluorescent tubes/bulbs). What is also important is the light intensity. If the light intensity is not great enough, it really won't matter much what the Kelvin number is. Light intensity is measured in lumens.

[View the item]

CarolineScott

Feb 22, 2015 6:30 PM CST

Thread OP

Name: Caroline Scott
Calgary (Zone 4a)

What happened to foot candles???
--Just teasing!

Last year I switched from T12 to T8 and not the T5 because they were so expensive.
But even with the step up from T12 to T8 , I noticed more heat effects on seedlings.

| @CarolineScott | Post #796142 (1)

drdawg

Feb 22, 2015 8:56 PM CST

Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)

Thanks, Caroline. Foot candles are still there, but the lumens are what folks in America see when they purchase there bulbs.

IF you think your T8 bulbs are hot, find someone who uses T5's. They'll burn your fingers!

drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.

| @drdawg | Post #796231 (2)

jmorth

Feb 22, 2015 11:12 PM CST

central Illinois

Nice breakdown of technicalities.
I use a bank of 4 double tubes of fluorescent grow lights and cool whites in the basement to overwinter tropicals, winter blooming bulbs, and annuals like coleus to make starts for the next season.

Nothing that's been done can ever be changed.

| @jmorth | Post #796271 (3)

blue23rose

Feb 23, 2015 5:44 AM CST

Name: Vickie
southern Indiana (Zone 6b)

Interesting read

I don't do a lot of indoor growing, but this info is good to know in case I ever do

May all your weeds be wildflowers. ~Author Unknown

| @blue23rose | Post #796317 (4)

drdawg

Feb 23, 2015 7:12 AM CST

Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)

jmorth and Vickie

drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.

| @drdawg | Post #796348 (5)

RickCorey

Feb 23, 2015 12:46 PM CST

Name: Rick Corey
Everett WA 98204 (Zone 8a)
Sunset Zone 5. Koppen Csb. Eco 2f

Thanks, Ken! Well said.

Just because it ISN'T complicated doesn't mean I can't MAKE it complicated!
Weather Links ~ Sunset Zones ~ Degree Days ~~ National Gardening Association
Kitazawa Seeds ~ Tainong Seeds ~~ ATP Member Map ~~ My Blogs ~~ Coop Extension Finder
Seriously Hot Peppers ~~ Seed Library Resources ~~ Piggy Swap Chat #11

| @RickCorey | Post #796723 (6)

Deebie

Feb 23, 2015 3:20 PM CST

Name: Deborah
midstate South Carolina (Zone 8a)
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff!

Great article, Ken.

Now I'm better informed and can work toward an efficient indoor light set up for my plants.

| @Deebie | Post #796829 (7)

drdawg

Feb 23, 2015 4:46 PM CST

Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)

drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.

| @drdawg | Post #796865 (8)

orchidgal

Feb 23, 2015 9:55 PM CST

Name: Elfrieda
Indian Harbour Beach, Florida (Zone 10a)

Good article; but I doubt whether I will have a need for lights to grow plants in the house, If I had a basement, like I had in New Jersey, I would be tempted to start all my seeds that way. As it is, I get all the sun, warmth I need - and sometimes too much of it.

“I was just sittin’ here enjoyin’ the company. Plants got a lot to say, if you take the time to listen”
Eeyore

| @orchidgal | Post #797051 (9)

drdawg

Feb 24, 2015 7:06 AM CST

Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)

You are among those lucky ones, Elfie, who lives in a sub-tropical area. The vast majority of us do not. For many of us, supplemental lighting is not only an aid in our growing tropical plants, but a necessity.

drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.

| @drdawg | Post #797169 (10)

blue23rose

Feb 24, 2015 12:32 PM CST

Name: Vickie
southern Indiana (Zone 6b)

I have one grow light on my daylily seedlings now. I got it from my mom and have no idea what lumens it is. I just know that I really think it is what kept my seedlings going this winter. Now if I can just get through another 8 weeks and not overwater them!

May all your weeds be wildflowers. ~Author Unknown

| @blue23rose | Post #797559 (11)

drdawg

Feb 24, 2015 1:19 PM CST

Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)

Often/usually the bulb with have the Lumens and the Kelvin printed on it.

drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.

| @drdawg | Post #797603 (12)

Esperanza

Feb 24, 2015 1:52 PM CST

Name: Audrey
Central Texas (Zone 8a)

Lighting for plants has always made my head spin. I never did get the candle number thing. Who lights up a thousand candles?

Talking about it the way it is packaged with Lumens makes much more sense to me. Thank you for breaking it down

| @Esperanza | Post #797641 (13)

drdawg

Feb 24, 2015 3:12 PM CST

Name: Ken Ramsey
Vero Beach, FL (Zone 10a)

drdawg (Dr. Kenneth Ramsey)

The reason it's so hard to lose weight when you get up in age is because your body and your fat have become good friends.

| @drdawg | Post #797665 (14)

« Garden.org Homepage
« Back to the top
« Forums List
« Light Spectrum's Effects on Plants -- Part II

Light Spectrum's Effects on Plants -- Part II

Good article!

Post a reply

Light Spectrum's Effects on Plants -- Part II Good article!

Post a reply

Light Spectrum's Effects on Plants -- Part II

Good article!