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Growing from Seed

T5 lights for seed starting

10 years ago

A farmer's market veggie grower recommened growing seeds under T5 lights. Does anyone have any thoughts on T5s vs. other lights?

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Comments (4)

mandolls
10 years ago
From everything I have read - t-5's are the best. However they are also expensive and if all you are doing is starting seedlings to plant out - probably more money than they are worth. Most people on this forum use inexpensive standard fluorescent shop lights that cost between 10 and 20 bucks a piece.
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digdirt2
10 years ago
Agree that they are better but they aren't enough better than T8 IMO to justify the higher cost just for seed starting. I'll wait until the fixtures and bulbs are more reasonably priced to upgrade to them.

We all got along just fine for decades with the old T12s but as they are being phased out the T8s are the logical choice.

We have several discussions running here about them vs. T8s just a bit further down the page.

Dave
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For personal current experience, I can tell you that the grow light should be 2" away from the tray. T12 can be good to germinate seedlings, but it will be bad for the overall growth. On the other hand, a T5 is good both for germination AND for the plant growth. That means your plant would most likely become leggy under a T12 light, but still it will be much better than no light at all though. You can buy some cheap ballast for your fluorescent bulbs at the Home Depot or even at Walmart, (I think you would not spent more than 10 dollars for each one). I also know that many people who just want to germinate and maintain their seedlings alive until transplant buy 40 Watt fluorescent bulbs, which come for just $3 each. That's pretty much a bargain compared to a full spectrum T5 bulb, and it will allow you to buy more than one.
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As I posted on your other post about this "The only "black sticky crud" I can think of was once a layer of green algae that has died. If that's it it should just lift off in pieces. " T5 put out more light and more heat so they are used somewhat higher above the plants than are T12 and T8. The supposed ideal is 6-8" but that assume ideal conditions - which don't exist in real life so you have to experiment in your growing environment. Personally I find 4" to be good for most things but 3" is better IF you have adequate air circulation around the plants with fans. Too close isn't going to hurt the plants except they dry out more quickly. Too far makes them leggy which you can't really fix so too close is better than too high. No seedlings are "skinny in the beginning". That is caused by lack of light and too hot growing ambience. So your lights are too high or your air temps are too hot or both. 3> Your choice. Some clip, most separate. Easy to do and can be done at any time from the cotyledon stage to first set of true leaves. Only difference is ease of handling. I've read here (FAQs) and other places to fertilize seedlings soon after they sprout. Not sure where you found that in the FAQs. The one on fertilizing talks about fertilizing "after transplanting" only, not after they sprout. Big difference! The standard recommendation is well-diluted feedings every 7-10 days AFTER the plants develop their second set of true leaves. I do want to be organic. I don't like the idea of fertilizers. My tomatoes and eggplants are heirloom. Peppers are new mexico varieties. I don't know if this makes a difference. All plants need the nutrients supplied by fertilizers in some form. Heirloom or hybrid or variety makes no difference. They can't grow without them. So if you want to be organic just use one of the many organic fertilizers available. There are 100's of them. Dave
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timomac
10 years ago
I've tried both and much prefer the T5's. I stress prefer purposely because I was able to start seedlings with the T8's. But, no surprise to some, I think the T5's are more effective.

Think extra light in the same space for less power. No leggy seedlings, no need to keep the fixture directly on top of of the plants. More air movement due to more space under the lights. Less stress on the plants - think better light penetration to the lower leaves of taller plants - no phototropism due to insufficient light.

One warning - the t5's get hot. You in fact can't keep the light right on top of the plants. Do so and you will cook yer babies.

Now, I started seedlings for years with a dual T8 fixture. The seedlings were usually leggy - despite having the light low and a fan on the side blowing over the flat. Unless I got them outside under stronger light after the second or third sets of leaves, they were inevitably tall and thin. I live in the Chicago suburbs. Getting them out early is not usually an option.

So, it made sense for me to get the stronger lights. Pricey, but I'm happy with them.
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Nadaddyo
10 years ago
I start just planted under t8s , once I get the first true set of leaves I move them under t5s. To me the comparison is night and day.

last year I was able to grow tomatoes with fruit under the t5 set up, no way this could be done with t8s, that being said for many years I have used a stoplight and fan and gotten adequate seedlings.

For me the I have already gotten the value out of my t5s by growing through the winter , but if I only wanted seedling I would stick with a t8s.
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