how long to leave grow light on?

[KLSpoultry]

i started my seeds on the 7th and they began sprouting last night!! these are tomatoes. i think i am leaving my grow light on too long, what do i do??

i also have sprouts growing in my herb container, is it too late to save the sprouts?

 

[patandchickens]

Most people seem to use 14-16 hrs. With some plants, if you start them on a longer daylength than they'll see when planted out into the garden they will bolt or perform poorly.

I have been told that if you really want to 'push' your seedlings with maximal light it is good to turn it off for an hour once or twice a day, but have never tried this myself.

Not sure I understand what you mean about sprouts in your herb container, though, sorry.

Have fun,

Pat

 

[bid]

I always used a 12/12 light to dark cycle. Plants need a "rest" period. Starting or growing with lights is an attempt to mimic natural conditions and as pat points out, they may sit and pout for a spell after you put them out into the actual garden.

 

[KLSpoultry]

well, i've had it on too long then. can i save them from bolting or doing poorly outside by changing the light schedule now? i meant i have seeds growing in my herb container as well as my tomatoes in my mini greenhouse.

can i save the baby plants? or should i take them out and start over?

 

[bid]

No need to start over in my opinion. These sound like very young seedlings that do not yet have true leaves. Some plants are very susceptible to bolting due to temperature and light while others can take a bit more variation in growing conditions. Tomatos don't "bolt". Greens, lettuces and brassicas will bolt, along with other plants, but you should be fine with adjusting your light/dark schedule now. Good luck!

 

[patandchickens]

Yeah, I totally wouldn't worry about it, I'd just reset the timer. Even with lettuce etc I;m not sure how much daylength matters in the first week or so.



Pat

 

[vfem]

I started off doing 24 hours of light... for days after they sprouted. Some even weeks... when I realized that was BAD... I started shutting off the lights at night. I saw no immediate changes. But the one's I didn't let go as long seem to be doing better since I put outside to harden off.


I think the others will eventually come back fine.


Excuse any spelling or grammer issues.... I'm on my 2nd bottle of wine today.

 

[momofdrew]

White or red???


12 on 12 off is usually what I do...most plants need 6-8 hours of sun when in the ground...

 

[KLSpoultry]

YEAH! i'm so glad i didn't ruin my garden before it even started. i changed the timer and this morning i have peppers coming up.

why are they sprouting so fast?

 

[momofdrew]

they like the conditions