Light Question

JW · 11-03-2011, 02:41 PM

In the past I had a lovely large west facing window where I stored my bananas over the winter. We have since moved and this year I have no natural light sources that are adequate for my banana collection.

I was going to go with a fluorescent light in the basement this year.
Instead of a T5 system all I can find locally is a four bulb 48" T8 light with 6500K daylight bulbs.

I know the T8 is not as energy friendly as the T5 but is there a big difference in the light output?

I am looking to put 3 bananas and a couple pineapple plants under this fixture. Would the T8s work?

Richard · 11-03-2011, 05:58 PM

The 6500K bulbs have the best spectrum for plants. For over-wintering, I'd use 200 Watts at 8 to 10 hours per day. This is no where near a full sun dosage, so be careful not to over water -- the plants will be growing slowly.

Velutina · 11-04-2011, 02:31 PM

T8s work very well for certain applications. I have mainly used them small plants and germination. They may not work as well for larger plants, however.

I recently bought some corms for spring planting. I will grow them under this light until temperatures are warm enough outside. The bulbs are cheap NO (normal output) bulbs driven by a VHO (very high output) ballast. The ballast pushes 110 watts per bulb (220W total). I have a 4000K and a 6500K bulb. I have used this method in the past with great success.

Richard · 11-04-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velutina

T8s work very well for certain applications. I have mainly used them small plants and germination. They may not work as well for larger plants, however.

I recently bought some corms for spring planting. I will grow them under this light until temperatures are warm enough outside. The bulbs are cheap NO (normal output) bulbs driven by a VHO (very high output) ballast. The ballast pushes 110 watts per bulb (220W total). I have a 4000K and a 6500K bulb. I have used this method in the past with great success.

Great set-up. You've got the desired 50W per square foot with the desired spectral distribution.

timmko · 11-04-2011, 08:48 PM

Here is where i got my T-5 fixture. I use that along with a MH 400 watt 6500kbulb and the plants love it.
Hydrofarm T5 4FT Designer Fluorescent Grow Lights - Plantlighting Hydroponics & Grow Lights

11-03-2011, 02:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
JW JW's Photo Gallery Location: Central Ohio Find me on the map! Zone: 6 Name: JW Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 57 BananaBucks : 16,201 Feedback: 1 / 100% Said "Thanks" 94 Times Was Thanked 42 Times in 19 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 32 Times	Light Question In the past I had a lovely large west facing window where I stored my bananas over the winter. We have since moved and this year I have no natural light sources that are adequate for my banana collection. I was going to go with a fluorescent light in the basement this year. Instead of a T5 system all I can find locally is a four bulb 48" T8 light with 6500K daylight bulbs. I know the T8 is not as energy friendly as the T5 but is there a big difference in the light output? I am looking to put 3 bananas and a couple pineapple plants under this fixture. Would the T8s work? Last edited by JW : 11-03-2011 at 02:44 PM.

11-03-2011, 05:58 PM	#2 (permalink)
Richard un-Retired Richard's Photo Gallery Location: Vista, CA Find me on the map! Zone: USDA 10b Name: Richard Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,674 BananaBucks : 554,565 Feedback: 9 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,636 Times Was Thanked 12,543 Times in 4,721 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,685 Times	Re: Light Question The 6500K bulbs have the best spectrum for plants. For over-wintering, I'd use 200 Watts at 8 to 10 hours per day. This is no where near a full sun dosage, so be careful not to over water -- the plants will be growing slowly. __________________ Back in business at plantsthatproduce.com

11-04-2011, 02:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Velutina Location: Miami Zone: 10b Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 276 BananaBucks : 50,012 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 100 Times Was Thanked 345 Times in 144 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Light Question T8s work very well for certain applications. I have mainly used them small plants and germination. They may not work as well for larger plants, however. I recently bought some corms for spring planting. I will grow them under this light until temperatures are warm enough outside. The bulbs are cheap NO (normal output) bulbs driven by a VHO (very high output) ballast. The ballast pushes 110 watts per bulb (220W total). I have a 4000K and a 6500K bulb. I have used this method in the past with great success. __________________ Adam

11-04-2011, 08:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
timmko timmko's Photo Gallery Location: Central WIsconsin USA Find me on the map! Zone: 5 Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 162 BananaBucks : 97,125 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 54 Times Was Thanked 123 Times in 57 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 5 Times	Re: Light Question Here is where i got my T-5 fixture. I use that along with a MH 400 watt 6500kbulb and the plants love it. Hydrofarm T5 4FT Designer Fluorescent Grow Lights - Plantlighting Hydroponics & Grow Lights __________________

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