Fluorescent Grow lights- Tube vs. CFL

Grow lights are possibly the most important investment an indoor gardener can make. I decided to help you with your decision by providing some info, as well as some personal experience, with fluorescent lights. Although they aren't as strong as other lamps, I cannot recommend a better bulb for the beginner urban gardener, gardeners with small spaces, or the gardener on a budget. Your selection may depend on your budget and goals, so decide carefully. In this post I will go through both types of fluorescent bulbs and the uses for each.

     

Fluorescent (Tube Type)- These are very affordable and widely available in any part of the country. Since

 they can be put into flat panels, the tubes can be attached to shelves or racks, creating bright cells for seedlings and cuttings. I can personally vouch for their effectiveness in this role, and i use them constantly in my grows. Fluorescent tubes put out the least amount of light, therefore they are usually arranged in groups of four or more. They are very energy efficient, and produce very little heat; in fact, they can be almost touching the plants. Unfortunately, due to the low penetrating power (and low output in general), these bulbs are limited in their use. While they are great for seedlings and cuttings, I can't recommend them for anything else.

Compact Fluorescent (CFLs)-These are where the power's at. CFLs can range from small bulbs to massive sun lamps capable of filling an entire room with blinding light. When I first began growing, I decided I wanted something strong and cheap, but without the fire hazard and heat output of other lamps. I chose to buy a large, 125-watt CFL for my first indoor garden, and it was a massive success (I could ave also opted for multiple smaller CFLs.) Even today, I still use them for vegetative growth, as well as alongside my more powerful lamps as supplemental light; especially in places my other lamps can't get to (under canopies, ect.) Unlike the tubes, I have had plenty of problems with my plants growing too fast and touching the bulb, resulting in nasty burns. Unlike the tubes, it is possible to do an entire grow, from seedling to flower/fruit, with  compact fluorescent bulbs.