[A Reyt Tayty]

What sort of light do they give out? Ultras violet? Infra red?

I ask because I've just found an old IV lamp and was wondering if it could be useful to give the tomato seedlings a bit of exposure, (just a few minutes at a time), given that they are not getting any proper sunlight on them for a long while now.

[Amilo]

I don't know about tomatoes but it might be good for wacky backy.

[DD.]

Short answer is neither.

Both are at opposite ends of the visible light spectrum and are totally useless for growing.

You need a specific lamp designed to give out a spectrum close to daylight.

This applies to all plants.

[A Reyt Tayty]

Short answer is neither.

Both are at opposite ends of the visible light spectrum and are totally useless for growing.

You need a specific lamp designed to give out a spectrum close to daylight.

This applies to all plants.

That's saved me some lekky then. 

[toasted]

you can use the energy saver bulbs but you need to have them as close as possible without burning the plants , like 1-2 inches away
or use a normal fluorescent striplight like youd find in a kitchen

[simonwatson]

Chlorophyll absorbs at the blue and red ends of the spectrum with the peak absorption in the visible region. That leaves (no pun intended) the green light to be reflected, hence leaves appear green.

[Kleftiwallah]

Do a search for Grolux tubes (4 foot).      Cheers,    Tony.

[Mrs Bee]

I don't know about tomatoes but it might be good for wacky backy.

Whacky Baccy would also need very, very warm conditions too, so I believe after watching a prog about it.

[prakash_mib]

Chlorophyll absorbs at the blue and red ends of the spectrum with the peak absorption in the visible region. That leaves (no pun intended) the green light to be reflected, hence leaves appear green.

I saw once in bbc a salad grower in scotland decorated ( ) his polytunnell with red and blue strip light which you get for "C" decoration. didnt know abt the results though. I always thought growlights are for urban gardeners and its of no use for regular growers like us. I may be wrong though as I've always been.

P.S: everyone look into my eyes. You didnt see me mentioning "C" this early. 

[JayG]

Do you mean IV or UV Tayty? (don't know what an IV lamp is!)

Anyone who tries to keep aquarium plants growing (me!) or has viewed websites about how to grow the sort of "herbs" best not mentioned on here (also me, but by accident!  ) will know that you need full-spectrum lamps, or lamps colour-balanced for specific growing applications, and they need to be both quite powerful, very close to the plants, and switched on for a long time every day.

[A Reyt Tayty]

Do you mean IV or UV Tayty? (don't know what an IV lamp is!)

Anyone who tries to keep aquarium plants growing (me!) or has viewed websites about how to grow the sort of "herbs" best not mentioned on here (also me, but by accident!  ) will know that you need full-spectrum lamps, or lamps colour-balanced for specific growing applications, and they need to be both quite powerful, very close to the plants, and switched on for a long time every day.

It's an infra red Jay. The sort you get for muscular aches and pains. Supposed to do colds good too. So that's another brainwave shot down in a blaze of glory!

[DD.]

you can use the energy saver bulbs but you need to have them as close as possible without burning the plants , like 1-2 inches away
or use a normal fluorescent striplight like youd find in a kitchen

No you can't, they give out the wrong spectrum of light.

[MoreWhisky]

I have the right type of light for growing not used it for some years now tho. What i do know about it is the bulb alone cost £40 and it is the type ok for before and after flowering. Never used it on veg tho as its very expensive to run so the 'herbs' have to be worth a bit when/if you sell them.

[Robin Redbreast]

mmmmmmh??? easy bruv! :blink:self implication is a convictable offence i believe!

[gremlin]

There seem to be special lights for the blue end of the spectrum for plant growth and at the red end of spectrum to encourage flowering/fruiting. We're not talking red and blue bulbs, or ordinary florescent tubes.    

Or it could just be a cunning plan to persuade poor gardeners pay £20 for a light bulb.  

So as has been said, an infra red heat lamp wont do anything for the plants but might be nice to stop you freezing while working in the greenhouse in this awful weather.