Brand new to growing hot pepper plants. I live quite far up north in Canada so outside gardens aren't much of an option especially being in an apartment. I bought a small indoor greenhouse and put 4 cfl growlights in there. All the 60 seeds I planted have sprouted and are just getting their second set of true leaves after starting the seeds a little over 3 weeks ago. I've got the lights on them 24/7. Is this OK? Or should I turn the lights off at night time?
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lighting Noob help with indoor lighting
- Thread starter staypuff
- Start date
They'll be fine on 24/7 for a few weeks.
I would recommend once you do decrease the lighting time, cut back to 21 hours for a week, then keep it at 18 for a month or so. You can decrease to either 15 or 12 in the weeks leading up to outdoor planting, depending on your preference. Daylight max in July is about 15 hours in most areas, so I would keep it around that mark. If you don't have your lights on a timer, I highly recommend one of the dial type ones from Menard's or Home Depot, Lowes, etc. They are less than $10 and usually work pretty well.
I have my timers set on 15/9 for the C.Chinense/Baccatum/Frutescens, since they grow more slowly and over a longer period of time. I then have my other room, which houses my wild species, C.Annuum and C.Pubescens, on a 14/10 timer. My motivation for this light cycle this early is because I don't want an enormous power bill. I have 91 pepper plants, a gourd plant, 12 strawberry plants, and 4 tomato plants going, so I have 2 grow rooms. Next year, I am definitely growing less, but now that I've committed to these little ones, I will be sticking it out until the end! Only one grow room next year!
Good luck with your season, and welcome to the boards!
I have my timers set on 15/9 for the C.Chinense/Baccatum/Frutescens, since they grow more slowly and over a longer period of time. I then have my other room, which houses my wild species, C.Annuum and C.Pubescens, on a 14/10 timer. My motivation for this light cycle this early is because I don't want an enormous power bill. I have 91 pepper plants, a gourd plant, 12 strawberry plants, and 4 tomato plants going, so I have 2 grow rooms. Next year, I am definitely growing less, but now that I've committed to these little ones, I will be sticking it out until the end! Only one grow room next year!
Good luck with your season, and welcome to the boards!