LED Grow Lights - Orchid Board

Krobertz · #1 10-24-2017, 10:49 AM

Hi guys
I have just re-potted my tomato and pepper seedlings
(into 4-inch pots). My patio receives no direct sun and some of the
seedling are not getting enough light. Between the crazy amount of rain
and the blazing July sun, it seems like a good idea to keep them under
cover for now. I was considering purchasing a full spectrum, LED grow
lamp with built in fan(s) which I would install over the patio table to
help them until September. Does anybody have any suggestions as to an
appropriate range of wattage? I was thinking 600 - 1000W ? I have approximately approximately a 5'x5'
area that needs the extra light.
Thanks.

WhiteRabbit · #2 10-25-2017, 08:58 PM

Ray · #3 10-26-2017, 10:59 AM

A lot will depend upon the "spread" of the light and just how much supplementation the plants need. A 5' x 5' area is a lot to cover, and doing so with a single lamp likely means it'll be relatively high up, so will need a great deal of wattage. I think you'd do better with a number of lower-wattage lamps spread evenly over the area.

Leafmite · #4 10-26-2017, 12:46 PM

Tomatoes and peppers grow very well under lights. I have been using fluorescent lighting and grow a few cherry tomatoes but LED's should work, too. Good luck!

This might be of help:

How to Grow Tomatoes Indoors With LED Grow Lights; Steps to Improving Tomato Quality and Quantity of Harvest

estación seca · #5 10-26-2017, 10:46 PM

If there are hydroponics shops anywhere near you, go there and talk to them. They know all about growing tomatoes, peppers and herbs under lights. You can also see the lights they have in stock.

As Ray mentioned a 5' x 5' (1.5m x 1.5m) square area needs A LOT of illumination. You will not be able to do this successfully except with a fixture designed for this purpose, or quite a few stand-alone fixtures placed side-by-side.