I need to buy grow lights for the school I work for, but the more I read the more I don't know what I need. I want to grow tropicals and cacti/succulents from seeds. It will be done in a classroom, not in our greenhouse. any suggestons, and/or a place to purchase would be helpful thank-you
This is what I use - just plain old fluorescent tubes on cheap pine shelving. They work really well, just keep the lights about 2" from the plants. 2 tube 48" fluorescents cost about $16 to $20, and the pine shelving from London Drugs also between $16 to $20. 3 rows of shelves (in a pinch you can make 4), each shelf holds 2 regular flats. The lights are on hooks and chains which make it easy to adjust the height.
Humm, thanks for the information, but I was confused more about the type of lights, I can't get my brain on which type of light to use, if I should go for high intensity metal halide, or full-spectrum fluorescent lights. I read one place that said you need one for cactus, and the other for tropicals, I don't have a budget for both, but I need the light to function for both types of plants.
full spectrum low power will sacrifice lumens and intensity vs metal halide. I have grown plants uunder metal halide, high pressure sodium and full spectrum high power fluorescent. metal halide is good for growth. HPS is good for flowering. high output full spectrum is great, period. but.... must be high output or you have to have the bulbs like 2-4 inches from the canopy of yourplants which can be tough. for good info, talk to a hydroponic store if you can they are experts on supplemental lighting. or try Brite lite and Allie's wholesale, their websites should have some good info regarding artificial lighting.
Heat generated by the light source may be a consideration if younger students are involved; singed body parts would not be a good thing.
I think Jimmy has it down to a fine art...but for your application I know that most schools go for full spectrum florescents. Good Luck, Deb