Indoor light time question

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Figfan203

Registered:1391607592
Posts: 79

Posted 1397403814	Reply with quote #1

I just put my rooted cutting in containers under some lights. Do the lights stay on 24/7 or did I want to mimic what it'd be like outside(12ish hours of sun). I'm in zone 6b can I just stick them outside during the day or are they too young and vulnerable for that? I would bring them inside at night __________________ Mike in zone 6B

Chivas

Registered:1283819505
Posts: 1,675

Posted 1397405290	Reply with quote #2

What type of light? HID light I leave on 13-15 hours a day, usually during winter I will even to 11 hours to save on energy and gradually bring it up to the 14 hours. If you have fluorescent lights, you would be better to leave them on for about 14-16 hours a day, they do need a rest period at night and light all day doesn't them much more good than 16 hours does. __________________ Canada Zone 6B

Figfan203

Registered:1391607592
Posts: 79

Posted 1397405377	Reply with quote #3

Quote: Originally Posted by Chivas What type of light? HID light I leave on 13-15 hours a day, usually during winter I will even to 11 hours to save on energy and gradually bring it up to the 14 hours. If you have fluorescent lights, you would be better to leave them on for about 14-16 hours a day, they do need a rest period at night and light all day doesn't them much more good than 16 hours does. I have a 4ft fixture with 2 full spectrum Floureseant light __________________ Mike in zone 6B

newnandawg

Registered:1344130335
Posts: 2,535

Posted 1397406673	Reply with quote #4

Mike, I used four tubed T-8 lights and I do 12/12

rcantor

Registered:1309799312
Posts: 5,724

Posted 1397420423	Reply with quote #5

I used 16 hrs with my fluorescents and found they needed more water than I could give them. Anywhere from 10 - 14 seems to work for me. __________________ Zone 6, MO Wish list: Galicia Negra, De La Reina - Pons, Genovese Nero - Rafed's, Sbayi, Souadi, Acciano, Any Rimada, Sodus Sicilian, any Bass, Pons or Axier fig, any great tasting fig.

drphil69

Registered:1390113240
Posts: 803

Posted 1397439382	Reply with quote #6

IMO at least match daylight hours, and as others said, 14-16 hours will maximize growth, i.e. no need to go higher. __________________ Phil - Zone 7A - Newark, DE Newbie fig lover just trying to learn.

rafed

Registered:1252876934
Posts: 5,308

Posted 1397439544	Reply with quote #7

I have 1000w HPS and run it 12 hours a day.

jdsfrance

Registered:1376988473
Posts: 2,591

Posted 1397462228	Reply with quote #8

Hi figfan203, For winter time : I have 2*30Watts T8 lights 1 standard and 1 for plants in aquariums . They are on from 07:00 to 23:00 so 16hours . I'm still wondering if 60 watts is really enough - but it works . Now that the sun is back, I'm thinking of getting them in front of a sunny window and keep the lights on. Here I have to wait until the 15th of May to put them completely out in the wild. Night temps need to be above 10°C . If you put them outside be careful as full sun will burn the tender leaves ... For now spring and summer time : I would advise you to put them outside in a container in partial shade with an humidity dome - typically a greenhouse or just bare planted... I bought an "ice crystal" fig tree in October, and two branches were badly placed so I cut them off . Being softy, I planted them in the trashcan of my "madeleine des deux saisons" instead of throwing them away. Cutting number one was planted 5 cm under dirt, 4 cm over dirt. Cutting number two was planted 6 cm under dirt, 1 cm over dirt. As of yesterday cutting one is still green but no leaf, and cutting two has made 3 buds with small leaves - I saw that while watering the mdds ... __________________ ------------------------ Climate from -25°C to + 35°C Only cold hardy figtrees can make it here

Registered:1352993559
Posts: 412

Posted 1397514017	Reply with quote #9

Quote: Originally Posted by Figfan203 I just put my rooted cutting in containers under some lights. Do the lights stay on 24/7 or did I want to mimic what it'd be like outside(12ish hours of sun). I'm in zone 6b can I just stick them outside during the day or are they too young and vulnerable for that? I would bring them inside at night It varies depending on how much growth I’m seeking. Early on I’ll push them, 24 on 8 off.

game_dog

Registered:1394915422
Posts: 12

Posted 1397520540	Reply with quote #10

I run mine 24/7 on Full Spectrum Hortilux Blues. My adult trees are all pushing figs and ripening already...

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1397520735	Reply with quote #11

Do not kept your lights on 24 hrs. 14 hrs is maximum

game_dog

Registered:1394915422
Posts: 12

Posted 1397521003	Reply with quote #12

To each his own I guess, although my trees would disagree with you :)

Frankallen

Registered:1371842383
Posts: 994

Posted 1397523126	Reply with quote #13

I kept my 4 Tube T8 ( 4 ft) lights on 24/7 and my plants thrived! Here is a photo I took of them a few days ago, right after I took them out from under the lights. I am Hardening them out on my Deck..Been pulling small Figs off of them....As I stated, I Will do 24/7 Next Winter, because these cuttings thrived! These cuttings are only 2 and 3 months old! Just my 2 cents. No one has ever explained to me why cuttings need rest at night? I totally agree with Game Dog... __________________ Frank from Bama- Zone 7-b Alabama .................................................... "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever". Mahatma Gandhi

RichinNJ

Registered:1374784282
Posts: 1,687

Posted 1397524262	Reply with quote #14

http://www.globalsciencebooks.info/JournalsSup/images/Sample/PS_4(1)5-17o.pdf Copy and paste the link. I can't seem yo maki it work in the post FYI My hydro phonics brochure says max of 18 hours when in foliar growth and 12 hrs when fruiting

game_dog

Registered:1394915422
Posts: 12

Posted 1397524480	Reply with quote #15

Some plant's/trees do great under 24/7 and don't require a rest period. My Super-Hot peppers also thrive this way as well. Just bought a PeeGee Hydrangea (tree form) and its now loaded with green buds since instead of planting it, I put it into my grow room (24/7) to kick start it. My Fuschia's the same as well as my Strawberries.

game_dog

Registered:1394915422
Posts: 12

Posted 1397525316	Reply with quote #16

Rich, Per your article: http://www.globalsciencebooks.info/JournalsSup/images/Sample/PS_4(1)5-17o.pdf 'Growing of plants under continuous light may increase yield, but it also increases light energy input per unit biomass produced.' - not a concern for me personally 'Due to its ability to accelerate reproductive cycle continuous light was shown to be a useful tool for the breeders of some LD crops...' Realistically there are so many variables to this that its completely inconclusive. As the article states in its conclusion, more research is needed. --> 'Knowledge on plant growth and development under continuous light can also provide us with a better understanding of PLANT ADAPTATIONS in the Artic under conditions of the polar day.' For instance, most of what I grow is hydroponic which means the plants have all the nutrients it could want to make use the second its required. Either way I do this for fun, not profit. For my plants, and conditions I'm getting maximum growth and I'm getting to eat fresh figs in the winter :) Do what makes you happy. -Anthony

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