Moving to LED seed starting...

Question: Shoulder damage means no lifting fluorescent lights over seedlings. LEDs weigh less, but nowhere on the internet can I find the new "two inches from the tube".

Any experts know this distance?

responder: Rhonda Frick-Wright  Replied April 21, 2023, 2:19 PM EDT
response: Hi and thanks for your interesting question about placing LED grow lights. I'll attach the best article I found, but generally it seems 1-1.5 inches above the plants is recommended. To me, this means moving the light up as the plants grow, kind of a hassle. Another site recommends watching the plants and if they are yellow, move the light away and if leggy, move the light closer. At any rate, I hope you can figure a way to move the lights as the plants grow. https://www.johnson.k-state.edu/lawn-garden/agent-articles/vegetables/lighting_options_for_Seeds.html

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 21, 2023, 3:07 PM EDT
response: Thanks Rhonda,I've always been an early adopter...usually by choice, but this time it was disability and age.The Johnson.k-state article follows the pattern of most of my research: try this and then try this. With no date. This is a fine academic response where the physical limitations are basically unlimited with matching unlimited funding. Old folks on SSI in a garage don't have that situation and seek support from experts, maybe I could add that at 73 years old my time is limited...Must I say Government Agencies and University-based research are supposed to help the public?Let me rephrase my question: with the energy saving benefits of LED lighting and spectrum specific diodes, has any research been done to address either commercial or residential vegetable seed starting?What I'm finding in my first spring of LED lighting seems to indicate that the lower temperature radiation of LED lights is making my seed starting cabinet cool.Any other available research? Thanks again,Tom Berninghausen----- Original Message ------ From "Ask Extension" <<personal data hidden>> To "t.berninghausen" <<personal data hidden>> Date 4/21/2023 11:19:24 AM Subject Re: Moving to LED seed starting... (#0096398)

responder: Rhonda Frick-Wright  Replied April 21, 2023, 3:39 PM EDT
response: Hi Tom- Yes, a more specific question gets a more specific response! I'm afraid unless your garage or seed starting cabinet is heated, the temperature may be a bigger factor than what type of light you are using. l start my plants with a heating mat underneath the tray and use a fluorescent light about 6 inches above the tray. But I'm doing it inside the house where the temperature never gets much below 55 degrees.  I also found most lighting research relates to starting plants indoors. I'll attach the most comprehensive collection of research articles I found (skip the first couple of pages and the rest is research articles). I'm wondering if you could add an incandescent bulb for some heat or get a heating mat to put inside the cabinet? We have had excessively cold temperatures this year and what may work well other years has not been successful this year.   https://greenhousehort.ca.uky.edu/sites/greenhousehort.ca.uky.edu/files/2022-03/Indoor%20Lighting%20Guide.pdf  I hope this will help with your seed starting or at least back up the idea that LED lights are still the way to go.

responder: The Question Asker Replied April 21, 2023, 4:46 PM EDT
response: Hi Rhonda,A heating mat for each flat, dome over the flat...I would have thought that ambient temperature in the garage would be a problem, but the first flat " just a trial" yielded three tomatoes and four bell peppers...and as yet no pepper have appeared in three successive plantings.This spring has been a challenge and. it. continues. This year well maybe my last as a gardener. As I age I'm having balance problems and becoming even more intolerant of heat...Thanks for your suggestions,Tom   ------ Original Message ------ From "Ask Extension" <<personal data hidden>> To "t.berninghausen" <<personal data hidden>> Date 4/21/2023 12:39:25 PM Subject Re: Moving to LED seed starting... (#0096398)

responder: Rhonda Frick-Wright  Replied April 22, 2023, 11:28 AM EDT
response: You are welcome, Tom, and very best of luck with whatever gardening you can do!