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  • #1

    Seedlings + lights in cardboard box

    Quite a few of the chillies germinated today, but don't have enough lights co cover all the pots as I only use a few cfl lamps. To maximise light and to save money buying more lights is it a good idea to stick the seedlings + lights in a largeish cardboard box and to cover the interior in aluminium foil? The bulbs are 45 watt so dont produce that much heat and are okay too touch.

    Is doing this a good idea or a silly one?
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  • #2
    I wouldn't leave lights in close proximity (regardless of wether you can touch them or not) to cardboard boxes for long periods of time, just for safety reasons. If you have a read on other threads some people raise seedlings under lights at 16hrs a time. Also white seems to be better than foil as the grey aspect absorbs part of the light/heat. I can't find the threads at the mo that relate to those couple of points.

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    • #3
      Originally posted by rhyswales View Post
      don't have enough lights co cover all the pots as I only use a few cfl lamps
      Move the lights (or the plants!), twice a day, so they all get 12 hours light?

      If they are also on a windowsill / get some natural light, that will make up for slightly shorter than optimum day length.

      I would definitely have surrounding "walls" that reflect light. Flat-white (card / painted / polystyrene) is better than kitchen foil, and if the top is completely open any heat can escape upwards. In the past I have used side + base, cut out of a cardboard box, to make a "wall" where the "foot" will tuck under the gravel tray, which the plants are stood on, to make it stand upright - with a bit of duct-tape.

      Do beware of any risk of cardboard coming into contact with the bulb, or any other source of heat.
      K's Garden blog the story of the creation of our garden

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      • #4
        As you are using cfl lamps I personally don't see any problem with heat, after all the generate so little.
        Potty by name Potty by nature.

        By appointment of VeggieChicken Member of the Nutters club.


        We hang petty thieves and appoint great ones to public office.

        Aesop 620BC-560BC

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        • #5
          Thanks for the replies everyone. Took me a while to read through that 47 page post Didn't even think that white would be better than foil. Just got some paper. I kept my hand on the bulb for about 5 minutes after the bulb has been on for 12 hours. Litterally no heat. Going to find some thick cardboard I think. Unfortunately have not got the space for anything else

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