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Williston, VT

I'm wondering which is better for seedlings and young plants? Keep the grow lights on 24 hours a day or do the plants need down time? Has anyone done this experiment? Does anyone have Joe Ailts' email address?

4/7/2011 10:30:56 PM

South East

they need darkness to, sun goes down in nature to.

4/7/2011 10:49:36 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Yep, downtime is needed. I discovered last year that my starts were healthier and grew faster with 6 hours of darkness.

4/7/2011 10:53:04 PM

Williston, VT

Thats kind of what I was thinking too but figured someone out here had probably experimented with this and knew for sure. Thanks much for your responses.

4/7/2011 11:05:43 PM

Hamilton Nj

i started my maters in feb. and when they sprouted i did 18 hours light and 6 hours dark got them going good and when they are 6 inches tall i go to 12-15 hours light as they got to about a foot tall they grew better with 12 hours light 12 dark and looked alot greener , as of right now there vary from 1-2 foot , started some a few weeks later and are 1 foot tall !!! pizza pics are in my diary and i used a shop lite from lowes!!

4/8/2011 2:28:25 PM

Deer Park, WI

Seedlings can tolerate 24 hr light cycles. It is later in the life cycle where light/dark transitions become imperative to shift from vegetative growth to reproductive stage.

4/10/2011 9:12:22 AM

Muddy Waters

I try to stick with nature,God has a reason for the lites going out each nite & a cool down!

4/10/2011 9:43:56 AM

Waynesboro, Virginia

My cantaloupe plants have been outside under 24 hours of light in mini greenhouses since Feb.1.I find the supplemental lighting helps very much until there is about 14 hours or more of natural sunlight.The lights really help on cloudy and overcast days.Just my thoughts.

4/10/2011 11:46:46 AM