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Massachusetts

I have a grow light on some newly sprouted seedlings for warmth and light. Is it OK to have it on 24/7, or should I turn it off at night to give the plants a rest?

Thanks,
Jamie

4/28/2005 8:16:33 PM

Montoursville, PA

I have seen various answers to this question. I believe the plant needs a rest.

I turn my lights on about 6AM and off when I go to bed in the evening.

Except......when a cold threat sneaks in and I need the light, for the heat. In this event I turn the shop light away from the plant to reduce the light directly on the growing plant or vine.

4/28/2005 8:46:43 PM

C N Y

i can be pretty opinionated on this question.
you want the light on the plants 24/7, but it is
only SUPPOSED to buy you the time to allow you to get the seedlings to the point where you can tell which way the plant is going to grow by the appearance of the first true leaf (generally opposite the first true leaf, the plant will grow), and also until the conditions are completely favorable for planting outside, where the temperatures have become high enough to allow the plant to be on its own temperature-wise,
or to survive the night with a small heatlamp or soil heat coil, etc.. the plant wil become "leggy" (great on women)
but bad on AG seedlings, if the light is not on all the time.

i have had seedlings get to almost a foot long because i relied on windowsill lighting back about three years...
the plants do not need a break in the lighting department. eg

4/29/2005 12:49:49 AM

San Diego

seedlings will not get leggy with a grow light turned on during the day, off at night. Never in 5 years of growing have I gotten a leggy plant from doing this. 24/7 might be ok, but I would follow natures path, we have night and day for a reason and I don't see why it should be changed while indoors. I turn my light on at 7am, off at 10pm. And the plant exhibits a large amount of growth during the daytime, and also a large amount while dark. Jimmy

4/29/2005 1:01:31 AM

Canada

On all the time, My plants get stressed and go leggy and
off yellowish, I have my light set on a timer as I work nights. The lights stay on from 7am-7pm then off from 7pm-7am. 12/12 mix for myself seems to work best

Dave

4/29/2005 4:09:16 AM

Massachusetts

Thanks for your input, guys.

Jamie

4/29/2005 2:36:15 PM