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Gardening

Major Nikon

(36,915 posts)

11. If you are not growing vegetables, the bulbs really don't matter

Reply to ellenrr (Reply #8)

Sat Dec 6, 2014, 11:12 AM

Dec 2014

Light color becomes important if your plants must go through vegetative growth and production cycles, but with just maintaining mature plants this isn't an issue. The most important aspect is how many lumens you are getting on the plants. Just basic fluorescent lights are already pretty efficient, so you can just buy the cheapest ones that produce the most lumens. T5 bulbs are more efficient, but cost considerably more than T8.

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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

I hope you get some good replies. I've been looking at the red and blue LED setups, which Erich Bloodaxe BSN Dec 2014 #2

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

A 1 bulb system is not sufficient unless you have very small plants in one row Major Nikon Dec 2014 #4

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

that's perfect. Right now my plants take up 3' by 1' but I can reduce it, and some of them can ellenrr Dec 2014 #7

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

Good to hear from someone who is using this. I will use it to supplement ellenrr Dec 2014 #13