HOW TO SET UP LED GROW LIGHTS
Setting up your grow light is easier as a two person job.
Use String and cord locks to suspend your LED Grow light on the light stand above your seedling tray.
Release cord lock and feed a single cord through the hole at the top of the metal light stand.
Once the cord is fed through the light stand, reattach the cord lock over both pieces of cord.
Repeat on the other side.
Light should be suspended above light stand.
17” Grow light should be set 6 inches above 1- 10”x20” tray of seedlings. (see Photo 1 below for what set up of your grow light should look like with complete for a single tray)
The same light also grows 3 trays of microgreens. Use the light stand to suspend your grow light above your seedlings trays. Plants require 16 hrs of light in a 24 hr period. (see Photo 2 for what set up should look like for growing microgreens)
CARING FOR YOUR SEEDLINGS
Temperature
Seeds like to be warm in order to germinate. Find a warm spot to put your trays once seeds have been sown, like the top of the refrigerator. Check trays daily for signs of germination. Soon you’ll see a little green or white sprout popping up.
Light
Only a few seeds need light to germinate but all seeds require light to continue growing. Once the first stem and leaves have pushed through the soil remove plastic wrap or plastic dome. A sunny windowsill is sometimes efficient but use the LED grow light provided in your kit.
Water
Do not overwater young seedlings. Use a gentle mist to water the seedlings or water the plants from the bottom of the tray by filling the sink or plastic tub with an inch of water and place your seed tray in the water so that the bottom of the tray is sitting in the water. Water will slowly move up the soil. When you notice the soil surface has darkened, remove your tray from the water.
Humidity
Warmth and humidity promote germination! Use plastic domes, plastic wrap or a reusable plastic bag to cover your trays. Once you see the first sign of green popping up, remove the plastic to promote good air circulation.
Ventilation
Good air flow prevents disease. As plants get bigger set up a small fan to promote good air flow, while making your plants stems stronger.
Thinning
If two seedlings ended up in the same cell remove one of them once they produce their first sets of true leaves. If you are careful you can gently separate them from one another and re pot the one you removed. Or snip off the extra seedling with scissors. If you leave both plants they will compete for space, nutrients, and water.
Photo 1: complete set up of the grow light for single seed tray
Photo 2: complete set up of the grow light for microgreens