How to Grow Plants Under Fluorescent Lights
- 1). Go to a hardware store or lighting store and purchase a standard, 48-inch, shop-light-style fluorescent light fixture. This will allow you to use two fluorescent light bulbs and fit at least a dozen plants under the light. Be sure the fixture comes with hanging chains and hooks. You'll want to be able to adjust the height as the plants get taller.
Purchase bulbs for the fixture. GE makes a specific type of light bulbs called "GE Plant and Aquarium" tubes that are ideal for indoor growing. - 2). Find an area where you can hang up the fixture. The area should be warm enough to prevent frost but not so hot that it dries out the plants. Install the hooks into a crossbeam or sturdy shelf above the place where the plants will be. Attach the chains to the fixture and hooks.
- 3). Put the bulbs in place by aligning the pin connectors to the connections on each side of the fixture. You may need to turn the bulbs counterclockwise slightly to lock the pins into place.
- 4). Set the light timer to the amount of time that you want the lights to be on. Different types of plants need light for different amounts of time. For example, tomato plants need 12 to 16 hours of light a day for proper growth. Connect the timer to a wall outlet and the lamp fixture.
- 5). Place the plants in rows underneath the lamp. Make sure the light covers each row of plants. Use the chain to adjust the lamp higher or lower. Depending on the plant, the ideal distance from plant to light is different. For example, according to the website Gardeners, African violets should be 10 to 12 inches away from the light source, while non-flowering plants such as ivy can be up to 36 inches away.
- 6). Raise the light fixture higher, keeping the ideal distance as the plant grows. Never let the top of the plants get closer than 2 to 3 inches from the bulbs, as this can cause damage to the plants and become a fire hazard.
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