Light Stands for Germinating Seeds Indoors

Color Influences Germination

• Sunlight works so well to naturally germinate and grow plants because a complete light spectrum is emitted. Out of the entire photosynthesis range, blue and red lights tend to be the most important. For instance, plant growth is regulated by blue light and increased vegetation by red. A plant may experience excellent growth and flowering with red light, only to become leggy and fall over later. Certain plants grow better under a specific light color. Study the color scale under which specific seedlings thrive when choosing the best lighting for plant stands.

Choosing the Right Bulb

• The light bulbs most frequently used in homes are incandescent. They are a good source of red light, but emit a lot of heat in relation to light, so take care growing plants are not too close to the bulb. Halogen bulbs easily burn tender foliage. Fluorescent bulbs cost the least for growing indoors and produce up to three times as much light as incandescent. Common in schools and offices, fluorescent bulb color is determined by the inside coating. The bulb that most resembles our natural solar color scale are full spectrum fluorescent light bulbs. Replace old fluorescents when they darken at the tips.

Timing the Light

• Keeping proper timing on light stands is crucial. The duration of light can be critical in inhibiting or stimulating seed germination. Many seeds develop better in the dark, such as vinca, calendula, verbena and most vegetables. Cover these seeds with soil at a depth specified in package directions. Other seeds thrive on light for seedlings to emerge. Inspect seed packets to determine individual light requirements for germination. Spread seeds that require light for sprouting on top of the soil. There is little chance of birds or other wildlife eating exposed seeds when germinating indoors.

Give Light a Recess

• Seeds and plants require a balance of light and dark. A time of rest in darkness is just as important as the proper lighting. The variation between light and dark affects growth, bud and fruit setting, along with other complex biological functions. Subtract the maximum amount of light a plant needs to flourish from 24 hours to determine how much darkness it will require. For example, full-sun plants that cherish up to 18 hours of light will appreciate at least six hours of night to flourish.

Setting Accurate Temperatures

• Sometimes light bulbs are not able to provide all the heat some seedlings need for growing on stands. Optimum germination temperatures indicate the overall soil warmth for seeds to sprout. A tomato seed needs temperatures of 50 to 95 degrees F to germinate, but the best general temperature is 80 F. To keep the balance between the heat from bulb lights and the required darkness, grow stands for sprouting seeds have to be able to support the use of heat mats or cables in order to maintain favorable temperatures.