Question
Hello, I have started to grow some daylilies from seed and they are already coming out of the soil. So my question is, should I use fluorescent bulbs or incandescent bulbs to help them grow (we don't get much sun?)I read fluorescent bulbs are low light but they don't heat up as much and provide a full spectrum of light. We bought an incandescent light and it is very bright, but it gets very hot doesn't have the full spectrum and has a short life. It seems like we should change to flourescent since the bulbs are rather close to the seeds, but do you have a recomendation of what I should use (so far we used the agrosun kit) so the bulb will fit in the same lamp and give the best results (but isn't too expensive either?) Thanks

Answer
Hello

I heartily agree with your choice of fluorescent bulbs over incandescent.  Fluorescents have a very long life and are much cooler to the touch.  I have used them satisfactorily for many years. But it is not necessary to use the agrosun bulbs (expensive little devils!) I use standard 40 watt fluorescent bulbs that you can purchase at any hardware store. Don抰 get anything labeled 搒pecial grow lights?or anything like that.  Your plants don抰 really know the difference. If anything, get the cheapest bulb, say, a store line bulb, or an inexpensive GE bulb (perhaps $4), and grow away!

If you have not yet purchased a light fixture, and using a hanging light, look for shop lights. They cost $10-20. Hang them with chains (making them adjustable) so that you can use clips to raise the lights as the plants grow.  This way, you can get the equipment for growing seeds for well under $25.00.

If this is unclear, or you need more information, please don抰 hesitate to write again.

Happy growing.

Donna