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Gardening

(36,911 posts)

4. A 1 bulb system is not sufficient unless you have very small plants in one row

Sat Dec 6, 2014, 09:37 AM

Dec 2014

A 4 bulb fixture will provide 4 times the amount of light and is sufficient for about a 4' x 2' area.

You can get a 4 bulb fixture for about $50 at places like Home Depot or Lowes:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-4-Light-Grey-Heavy-Duty-Fluorescent-Shoplight-1284GRD-RE/202968125

54 watt T5 bulbs cost about $10 ea and will work fine for wintering plants:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/ViaVolt-54-Watt-4-ft-T5-Fluorescent-Replacement-Lamp-VT54R/203891806

You can build the stand out of PVC:
http://www.google.com/search?q=pvc+light+stand

The nice thing about making a PVC, other than it's very cheap is that you don't have to use any glue and can disassemble it when not in use. Whatever you go with you'll want to adjust the lights so they are just about right on top of your plants. The closer the light is, the more efficient it becomes.

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Gardening under lights [View all] ellenrr Dec 2014 OP

I used to just buy cheap shop lights and put in grow bulbs csziggy Dec 2014 #1

well, I don't have the skills to hook up anything. ellenrr Dec 2014 #3

thanks for your input. As I said, assembly is not an option, ellenrr Dec 2014 #5

That one will cover about a 2' x 1' area Major Nikon Dec 2014 #6

A couple of inches is about right Major Nikon Dec 2014 #9

thank you! I really appreciate your help... ellenrr Dec 2014 #10

Also, am I right in thinking that this contraption ellenrr Dec 2014 #8

If you are not growing vegetables, the bulbs really don't matter Major Nikon Dec 2014 #11

I actually have both of these. Elad Dec 2014 #12