QA

Question: When Do I Put My Seedlings Under Light

The answer to this one is simple. Your grow lights should be turned on (or your seedlings should be put under lights) as soon as the first seed starts to sprout. Many types of seedlings grow very fast, and they will begin reaching for the light as soon as they emerge. So give them plenty of it right from the start.

Can you put seedlings under LED?

Your seedlings need plenty of energy but won’t be able to get that if you place them beside your windows. Artificial lights are the best option for indoor seed starting. You want them to flourish after they start germinating, then you need to place them under LED or fluorescent lights.

Should seedlings get 24 hours of LED light?

A: In general, you should not leave grow lights on 24/7. Plants need a light-dark cycle to develop properly. It’s believed that they truly do “rest” during periods of darkness, and probably use this time to move nutrients into their extremities while taking a break from growing.

How far should seedlings be from Grow Light?

Different plants have different light intensity needs, but most seedlings grown for the garden will need higher intensity light to flourish. In general, the leaves should be about 2 – 4 inches away from the light source (assuming use of a fluorescent bulb – see below).

How long should plants be under a grow light?

To be effective, grow lights really need to be on for at least 8-10 hours a day. This can vary up to 16 hours, depending on the conditions. That’s why LED grow lights are so popular – when they have to be left on all day, it’s best to use an energy efficient type! Always position a grow light above the plant.

How do I know if my seedlings are getting too much light?

Plants exhibit several signs when they’re getting too much light. The most apparent sign is leaf burning. This typically causes the yellowing of leaves at the top of the plant but the veins stay green, and the leaves take on a yellow or brown, burnt look.

Do seedlings need darkness?

Yes, it is true that your seedlings need lots of bright light to grow healthy and strong—but they also need a period of darkness in order to thrive. In general, seedlings should receive roughly 14 to 16 hours of light a day when situated in a south-facing window.

When should I turn my grow lights on?

The answer to this one is simple. Your grow lights should be turned on (or your seedlings should be put under lights) as soon as the first seed starts to sprout. Many types of seedlings grow very fast, and they will begin reaching for the light as soon as they emerge. So give them plenty of it right from the start.

How many hours of light do autoflowering plants need?

And since autoflowering plants have short vegetative phases and often grow shorter than photoperiod strains, you’ll typically want to give your autos at least 18 hours of light. This allows for robust growth, without overspending on energy.

Should I dim my LED grow lights for seedlings?

Dimming the lights is necessary when your plants are stressed or during application of foliar and pesticides. If this can’t be possible, you can adjust the grow light and move it far from your plant. Make sure that you move the grow light in a correct distance, not too close but also not too further.

Do you water seedlings everyday?

Seedlings aren’t able to store water for very long, so they need soil that is constantly moist. This means watering them a few times a day, depending on how quickly they dry out. Test your seedling’s soil with the end of a finger to about an inch deep. If the soil is dry, your seedling needs water.

Do regular lights help plants grow?

The Takeaway. So, to answer the question, yes you can use a regular light bulb to help plants grow. Your best bet would be to place a few LED lights designed for plants near your plants that need a little extra light. Be sure not to overheat the plant or to give it too much sun.

How often should you water plants under grow lights?

Check water daily. Seedlings should be moist, but not soggy. Overwatering is the number one killer of plants.

Can plants get too much grow light?

To put it bluntly, yes, too much light can eventually kill your plant. The light intensity can produces increasingly severe damage to your plant to the point where it dies. It can also dry out the plant to the point where it no longer has the water it needs for growth and photosynthesis.

How high should I hang my LED grow light?

For seedlings, LED grow lights should generally be mounted between 24-36 inches above the plant canopy – however, this depends on the power (wattage) of the light source.

How do I know if my plants need more light?

If your plant is not getting enough light, the most common sign is the yellowing and dropping of leaves, stunted leaf growth, elongated stems, and a dull-green color. If your plant is getting too much light, then its leaves will have singed tips, burned patches, or will be falling off (yikes!).

Do plants grow more at night or day?

Most plants grow faster in the evening and at night than they do during the day. The same holds for pumpkins. In recent years, research on circadian rhythms in plants has shown that the night-time growth spurts of plants is under control of the plants biological clock.

Can plants survive on LED light?

Can white LED lights grow plants? Yes white LED lights can be used to grow plants but they also need both blue and red light spectrum mixed in to make sure they grow fully.

When should I change my light cycle to 12 12?

With six hours of darkness or less, the plants will continue to grow in its vegetative development as if they were experiencing an extensive summer season. When it is deemed time for the flowering process to start, the light pattern is changed to 12 hours on and 12 hours off.