Growing vegetative plants in winter.

[amy31416]

I'm contemplating a simple (and hopefully cheap) setup to grow herbs and lettuces indoors this winter, and I'm thinking that some folks on here might have some decent experience with that.

Here's what I'm considering: I have a baker's rack that I could easily move in front of a South-facing window, and mount some grow lights on. It will be near a heat vent, so I could adjust the warm air flow towards the plants.

My possibly dumb questions are:

1. Should I be paranoid about buying grow lights online? While I obviously wouldn't have anything illicit, I don't relish the idea of cops breaking down my door and shooting my dog.

2. What distance from the plants should I keep the lights? Can the lights "burn" the plants?

3. How long should they stay on? About 6 hours? Do I take into consideration whether it's overcast or sunny to determine how long they should stay on?

4. Ideal temperature? I keep my thermostat set at 55F, but I can easily adjust the area of the plants to be around 65F, if I direct the warm air-flow correctly. Obviously that's dry heat, so I'll have to water more.

5. Any plants in particular that I should definitely try or avoid? I have about 5 basil plants limping along on natural light, but it'd be nifty to see them thrive.

I also have a West-facing window with a built-in desk that I'm thinking about turning into a terrarium of sorts. But that's for later.

[squarepusher]

try T5 HO fluroescent

[angelatc]

Depending on what herbs you're growing, I'm not even sure you need a special grow light. You can probably do it in front of a sunny window, and use a plain old fluorescent for back up. I think grow lights are typically used for plants that require sunlight like you get at high noon in Florida. My Mom always kept a couple of herbs on the window sill with no special lighting required.

I think drainage and temperature is going to be more of a challenge. Not sure how green your thumb is, but most plants don't having their roots standing in water any more than they like getting dried out. And they seem to like temperatures that rise up to the '70's - 55 might be too cold.

But I have to say that I immediately thought of taking the Baker's rack and turning it into a greenhouse. :)

[amy31416]

Depending on what herbs you're growing, I'm not even sure you need a special grow light. You can probably do it in front of a sunny window, and use a plain old fluorescent for back up. I think grow lights are typically used for plants that require sunlight like you get at high noon in Florida. My Mom always kept a couple of herbs on the window sill with no special lighting required.

I think drainage and temperature is going to be more of a challenge. Not sure how green your thumb is, but most plants don't having their roots standing in water any more than they like getting dried out. And they seem to like temperatures that rise up to the '70's - 55 might be too cold.

But I have to say that I immediately thought of taking the Baker's rack and turning it into a greenhouse. :)

That's exactly what I was thinking of. I've fashioned incubators out of plastic, and though it's an eyesore, it is quite effective if the heated airflow is well-directed.

I could potentially cover the rack in plastic, but man, that'd be ugly. :p Healthy basil might be worth it though!

[invisible]

1) Probably. See if you can find a physical store. Most likely you'll pay more for a "grow light" than "industrial lighting". I see these lights sell cheaply used at building materials auctions all the time. No matter what, there is still some risk simply by the nature of having a bunch of lighting above a bunch of green plant growth in a window - someone is bound to question it sooner or later.

2) Yes, the lights will "burn" the plants. Use 3 feet separation, and adjust the height as the plants grow. If you hang the lights at a greater distance, they will grow tall and thin to try to reach the light.

3) Depends on the plant. Generally speaking, you want enough hours of light that the plant thinks it's summer. Beware that high-intensity lighting will run up your electric bill bigtime! You can compensate for this a bit by putting the lights on a timer, so that they are only used to supplement or "extend" natural daylight.

4) 55 degrees is probably too low for good growth, 65 should be much better. To solve the humidity problem, mist the plants with a small spray bottle, and stick an open pan of water next to the vent (the heat and airflow will evaporate the water, transferring the moisture into the air).

5) Depends entirely on what you want to eat.

I used to do some indoor growing years ago, but decided it was more trouble than it was worth. I now have a nice yard, so hope to put in an organic garden next year. Hope this helps, good luck with your project!

[Corydoras]

You might find some help in GardenWeb's "Growing under Lights" forum.http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/lights/

[oyarde]

I'm contemplating a simple (and hopefully cheap) setup to grow herbs and lettuces indoors this winter, and I'm thinking that some folks on here might have some decent experience with that.

Here's what I'm considering: I have a baker's rack that I could easily move in front of a South-facing window, and mount some grow lights on. It will be near a heat vent, so I could adjust the warm air flow towards the plants.

My possibly dumb questions are:

1. Should I be paranoid about buying grow lights online? While I obviously wouldn't have anything illicit, I don't relish the idea of cops breaking down my door and shooting my dog.

2. What distance from the plants should I keep the lights? Can the lights "burn" the plants?

3. How long should they stay on? About 6 hours? Do I take into consideration whether it's overcast or sunny to determine how long they should stay on?

4. Ideal temperature? I keep my thermostat set at 55F, but I can easily adjust the area of the plants to be around 65F, if I direct the warm air-flow correctly. Obviously that's dry heat, so I'll have to water more.

5. Any plants in particular that I should definitely try or avoid? I have about 5 basil plants limping along on natural light, but it'd be nifty to see them thrive.

I also have a West-facing window with a built-in desk that I'm thinking about turning into a terrarium of sorts. But that's for later.

I always just used sunlight from my kitchen windows and the temp in there is probably around 70 because there is a baseboard heater running the length of wall . I grew veggies last winter , bell peppers etc. mine is a west window .

[dannno]

try T5 HO fluroescent

This is precisely what I was going to suggest..took the words right out of my mouth..

HID lights are way more hardcore than what you need, I would feel maybe slightly uncomfortable ordering this type of lighting in a non-medicinal state as HID would be mildly suspicious.. but those type of floros are perfect and I don't think you would be showing up on any radar at all just for ordering those.

Plus they don't create nearly as much heat as HID lighting, which is what would also tip off law enforcement if they suspected something.

[amy31416]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll be going with an array of lettuce, greens and herbs-- and the T5 HO fluorescent sounds like it'll do the trick, without getting on some list.

Kinda sad that I have to worry about that, but I'd be stupid not to.

[EndDaFed]

If you have some land and want to go the make shift hoop green house route there is a solution. In climates that are not too harsh when winter comes some active compost can provide additional heat.

[oyarde]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll be going with an array of lettuce, greens and herbs-- and the T5 HO fluorescent sounds like it'll do the trick, without getting on some list.

Kinda sad that I have to worry about that, but I'd be stupid not to.

I have never tried lettuce or greens , but the herbs are pretty easy .

[speciallyblend]

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'll be going with an array of lettuce, greens and herbs-- and the T5 HO fluorescent sounds like it'll do the trick, without getting on some list.

Kinda sad that I have to worry about that, but I'd be stupid not to.

this might be your best option, the t5 is alot of light ,since your indoor use reflective on walls and around plants to(the emergency heat jackets for 1-3 bucks works VERY WELL;). you would be amazed at how well the plants will grow to the reflective as well! Making use of all your light! T5 might be overkill depending on the amount of space! You can get smaller amounts of light, a t5 is just 5 bulbs on one unit! you can opt for lower amounts with good light by getting a reflective cone with one bulb(6-15 bucks) and add as you need!!!

t5 is perfect but i find many places charge to much! Focus on the specs of a t5 and you can easily get the same results with bulbs and cone reflectives!!

[speciallyblend]

This is precisely what I was going to suggest..took the words right out of my mouth..

HID lights are way more hardcore than what you need, I would feel maybe slightly uncomfortable ordering this type of lighting in a non-medicinal state as HID would be mildly suspicious.. but those type of floros are perfect and I don't think you would be showing up on any radar at all just for ordering those.

Plus they don't create nearly as much heat as HID lighting, which is what would also tip off law enforcement if they suspected something.

t5 is perfect;) but she could even go to reflective cones with bulbs(at any store) in case a t5 is overkill. I have gotten exact results just using reflectives with bulbs vs a t5 and cheaper!