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So I'm gonna be that guy and tell you the answer you don't want to hear which is that you're not likely to be able to achieve what you're trying to do in the location you want without some major drawbacks.

Your seeds aren't thriving because they're not getting enough light. You can tell because your sprouts are so leggy (i.e. tall and thin with few/no leaves). When plants first sprout, they come pre-packaged with leaves that are part of the seed that expand as the plant absorbs water and are what collect the initial light energy which the seedling will then use to construct its own true leaves. If the starter leaves are not receiving enough energy, the plant will delay growing new leaves and instead try to grow taller so that those leaves get better light exposure. That's what causes leggy plants, which bring a host of annoying problems, hence why its usually easier to start fresh and make sure they get light from the get-go. Seeds which are getting enough light will produce very little in terms of stem height but will instead use that energy to start producing more leaves right away. Here's a shot of some lettuce (on the right) with zero legginess and bell pepper seedlings sprouted with minimal legginess. Note that the bell pepper seedlings on the left could probably use yet more light.

Artificial lights put out nowhere near as much as natural sunlight unless you get into the really high caliber stuff. To give you an idea on artificial lighting requirements, here's what's lighting part of my herb garden. That fixture has four 24 watt fluorescent bulbs, coupled with angled reflectors above them to maximize the amount of light hitting the plant. If you're interested, here is that light fixture on Amazon. I recommend this regularly to anyone trying to grow using artificial light. Lux output (a measurement of the amount of light per sq ft) from that is ~15,000 lux at an appropriate distance from the plant, which is about what these herbs need to grow. A single 15 watt bulb like yours probably gets into the 3,000 - 5,000 lux range. You also seem to have a cover over the light, which probably reduces the output as well. Another thing to note is you want your light as close as possible to your plants. They shouldn't be touching it, but they should be (for flourescents at least) maybe a few inches from it. Light saturation decreases rapidly with distance, so the further they are, the less oomph they're getting from it. Your lower hanging plants are getting less light for sure.

Keep in mind that different types of plants have different lighting requirements. Leafy plants light herbs and lettuces can sustain themselves off of something like I showed just fine. However anything that produces a fruit or vegetable will need even more light. Like three or four times as much light as the fixture I showed earlier.

Back in the day most people used something like this, a high pressure sodium light, for their indoor fruits/veggies. This one puts out about 45,000 lux. Think like football stadium lights. These things get painfully bright and also get very hot, plus they require a large ballast (power source) to run. You want your plants at least 2 ft from these otherwise they'll burn. Regardless, it's definitely not something you'd want under your sink, since you wouldn't be able to be in the same room when it was on or else you'd be blinded.

The more recent alternative in artificial light is LED lights. These things put out way less lux, but the light they do put out is concentrated on very specific wavelengths which are ideal for plants. I'm using this one to grow tomatoes and bell peppers, and one light is about enough for one, maybe two plants. They don't get hot at all, but their light output is still uncomfortably bright and the color is just dreadful. Imagine a pink so searing that it makes your head hurt. Here's a picture of some bell peppers, taken from the relative shade under the canopy. Definitely not something you want in your kitchen for the same reason as the HPS: you wouldn't want to be in the room when it's turned on. I grow the bell peppers in a light-opaque grow tent and the tomatoes in a closet I converted for that purpose.

My recommendation: forget about the veggies for now. You're not going to get them to grow without a light source which will be impractical under the sink. Stick with herbs, which work just fine under fluorescent light. Up your light output by getting a higher output light fixture. Rearrange how they hang so that all four of your planters are much closer to the light. And start from scratch once you've done so. You might potential save that batch if you got a new light right away, but they'll have gotten a leggy start, so they'll always be slightly deformed.

I separated and repotted this Mint a few days ago. It is underneath this T5HO lamp for ten hours a day: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019J3UPTY?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

There are now a few yellow spots but also some black spots are starting to form and the leaves are extra crispy now. I realized I should be misting it every day. Am I okay to keep doing what I'm doing with it or should I change something up? I'm going to fertilize today with Espoma organic fertilizer 2-2-2.
Also, are the leaves with the yellow and black spots edible or okay to use for teas still?
Any help is appreciated! (:

If you have these hanging in the open they will annoy you with it's blue/purple colors and are not good for your eyes. Try getting full spectrum LED.

Look up Quantum boards from horticulture lighting group or Atreum Boards, Amazon may not have them. They are generally more efficient and give off nice white light which will not annoy you and even brighten up the room!

A Quantum Board 65 Kit (65Watt real draw) is about 100$ and available on Amazon and should be enough for a first light but probably underpowered for 4x4 but for half shaded plants this will work fine. Most use them to grow weed which likes a lot of light. Veg/bloom switches are mostly for weed, yes.

But sure, the QB are a bit bare and not that pretty yet really lightweight aesthetically...so who knows.

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The Maxsisun 300W has about 130W real draw (the 300W is misleading since it's just an euivalent to HPS lights. So it draws 130W which is equivalent to a 300W HPS light) but is probably less efficient than the QB.

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I'm growing Chilis with a DIY Fixture with full white LED comparable to the QB ones. I started out with a Viparspectra 300W (basically same as the Maxisun) so i know em both. Gonna take the Viparspectra apart soon to exchange the LED to full white ones. Will never touch the blue/purple lights again :D

Wonderful setup! I went in on grow lights and the pink ones began to give me headaches. Then I bought large ass CFLs at 6500K and I think I damaged my eyesight, (maybe I'm just getting older, lol) finding a decent reflector for bulbs that size is a pain in the ass. I'm using white LED strips now and a couple medusa lamps with a variety of led bulbs. I still have a pink bulb in the bedroom where I spend the least amount of time time. The combination of window + leds seems to get the job done imo.

I feel your pain. I own a Ficus Pumila Quercifolia. It nearly died on me when I put it on a higher shelf to encourage trailing. It was almost entirely desiccated when I checked on it a few days later.

I tried to nurse it back to health with little luck for about a year. It didn't die on me, but it didn't grow either.

I finally got it growing a couple of months ago. I have it on a shelf near with my pilea glauca near the the calathea section of the plant hood in my home. It's happy as hell now. I'm going to have to re-pot it soon.

My recommendations:

1. Place on a humidity tray near other plants. I'm using a saucer now but will use a plastic tray with either lava rock or LECA later.
   
2. Buy a humidifier and keep it near by, treat it like a calathea, maintain the humidity at 60% and above.
   
3. Don't put it in too big a pot, preferably one with some ventilation midway through the root zone. These bad boys work for me well https://www.amazon.com/Meshpot-Plastic-Square-Succulent-Cactus/dp/B07NNC8WB3/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?keywords=succulent%2Bpot%2Bplastic&qid=1566088390&s=gateway&sr=8-3-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE5WDY0SFNLM0ZWWjcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2MDY2MDMxVjBNV0YwTFQ1UUJJJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2MDM0NjQyWTNCQ0QxNU1HSzBSJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1
   
4. Provide plenty of light. I have it under a Sansi grow bulb 24W throughout the day. About 3 feet away from the bulb, and 3 feet away from a western window.
   
5. The mix I use is a 5-2-1 mix pine bark fines, peat moss, perlite. I use a REALLY low dose of liquid fertilizer once a month and add a bit of worm compost when re-potting.
   
6. I have an oscillating fan going in the room regularly for air circulation.
   
7. I water whenever I see the top is dry. I never let it dry out, but I never let it stand in water.
   
   It sounds like a hassle, and it kinda is, but no more than my other fussy plants. It appears to thrive in a Pacific Northwest climate, think temperate rain-forest. I do this for my Calatheas, Pilea Glauca, Pilea Depressa (Baby Tears), Callisia Repens, Soleirolia Soleirolii (Baby Tears), Peperomia Prostrata. The Soleirolia likes its soil wetter than the others. That thing can grow under water. My ice plants, string of hearts, and hoya and dischidia like it dryer, but appreciate the ambient humidity a lot.
   
   I suspect my creeping thyme and corsican mint, which both died horribly in my hands, would have benefited from the treatment Ms. Quercifolia enjoys so much. When I try growing them from seed again I'll see how it pans out. I have a feeling that what works for FPQ will work for Tiny Tears.
   
   My Ficus Pumila on the other hand appears to be un-killable. I sleep with pruning shears under the pillow because of that thing.

I hate asking you to do my homework for me, but do you think you can reccomend to me some grow lamps to have in my tent?

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This is what I ordered

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https://www.amazon.com/VIVOSUN-Reflective-Indoor-Hydroponic-Growing/dp/B07HQMX3S1/ref=pd_ybh_a_14?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WRQP0659XB8JMPFFNS5D

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I looked at this,

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https://www.amazon.com/Niello-Spectrum-Dissipation-Hydroponics-Greenhouse/dp/B07H3WPVL6/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=cob&qid=1561939034&s=gateway&sr=8-1

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and this.

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https://www.amazon.com/Double-Spectrum-Greenhouse-Indoor-Flower/dp/B0185OLBPK/ref=pd_rhf_dp_s_cr_simh__8?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0185OLBPK&pd_rd_r=08b35f2c-7e42-4923-a741-db427e372e14&pd_rd_w=fg5nM&pd_rd_wg=9sXJL&pf_rd_p=67aa5820-8762-4202-90ba-881bb99c913c&pf_rd_r=P503HNVMP0KBFTX09G19&psc=1&refRID=P503HNVMP0KBFTX09G19

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I would love your reccomendation. I'm growing just a few plants currently. Also, I think my tent is pretty cold. It's at 75F currently, i'd like to bump it up to 82F. Do you have any suggestions?

I would stay way from any of the cheap Chinese LED lights like Roleadro, Mars Hydro and similar. The light that I would recommend for your setup would be the HLG-65 from Horticulture Lighting Group. This light uses top bin Samsung S6 diodes which are extremely efficient. They put out a ton of light and use very little power. This light also generates very little heat and doesn't require a heatsink or fans. It produces white light at 4000k which is a little warmer then sun light. I recently bought two of these boards and they have fantastic for vegetative growth.

A little late to the party, but I just got these. Waiting on them to come in the mail but they seem to be very promising.

I also just heard about using High pressure sodium Lamps, a bit over the top for me, but I thought I'd pass on that as well.

Good luck!

I grew some herbs on the deck this summer and really enjoyed it. Now that it’s getting colder I’d like to continue growing them inside. The trouble is that we don’t have a single sunny spot in our house. After doing some research, I purchased the shelving unit and grow lights shown in the picture. The first two images are the plant about a month ago right when I brought them inside. The last is my poor basil now, wasting away to nothing.

The lights are LED (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C24ND5C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) and I keep them at 100% for roughly 16 hours a day, but all of my plants are dying. Any suggestions to how I can save them? This is my first time growing anything indoor or using a plant light so I’d appreciate the help. Thanks in advance!

My apartment has pretty terrible lighting and with fall/winter coming on strong in the Boston area, I decided to put together a little home gardening station to help with lighting and movement of the plants for watering. I went into this with the goal of having my setup accommodate most of my small collection of plants and to allow for easy movement without having to mess with the grow lights. In the end, I decided on a cart-based design composed of the following items:

Bror Utility Cart 33 ½” X 21 ⅝” X 34 ⅝” ($99)

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/bror-utility-cart-black-pine-plywood-60333850/

Bror Add-on Shelf 21 ⅝” X 6 ¼” X 5 ½” ($10)

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/bror-add-on-shelf-black-20402001/

Koppla 3 Outlet Power Strip 19 ¾” ($4.99 for two pack)

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/koppla-3-outlet-power-strip-grounded-white-00086428/

2x Hemma Cord Set, Black 15’ 5” ($7.00 each)

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/hemma-cord-set-white-10175810/

(IKEA site only has white showing up now, black was available in-store)

2x Luftmassa Lamp Shade 10” ($17.99 each)

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/luftmassa-lamp-shade-rounded-70462648/

Kasa Smart WiFi Plug Mini HS105 ($21.75)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K1JVZOE/

Relassy 20 Watt Dual Head, Gooseneck, Full Spectrum Grow Lamp ($27.39)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C68N7PC/

2x GE 9 Watt BR30 Balanced Full Spectrum Bulbs ($9.98 each)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NN6SVG6/

4x 3M Command Utility Hooks 3 lbs ($8.99 for nine)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0751RPD3V/

2x Velcro Thin Ties 8” X ½” ($9.70 for 100)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001E1Y5O6/

Total Cost (pre-tax): $234.76

At 8ft high, the light would do very little to help the plants achieve growth. Try to get a smaller lamp, preferably with a scissor arm and buy one of these. I have a 2' bird of paradise in my bedroom that has eastern facing windows and use that to supplement it later in the day when there isn't enough natural sunlight. Hope this helps.

What plants are you growing? What are their light needs?

I use grow bulbs like this:
grow bulb on amazon

For my tropical flowering plants, like hibiscus and also for palms. Not all tropicals need high light however, some burn very easily because they are found under the canopy- like some ferns.

I run the grow lights between 10-16 hours a day, depending on the season and how the plant reacts.

OH BOY, do I have the post for you!
I wrote a comment a while back about my experience with all types of grow lights, and maybe it'll help you!

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But to summarize, if you don't want to feel like you are living in a Disco, these and these are my favorites.

Easy answer: Purchase a daylight 42 watt CFL bulb for bigger/more plants or a 23 watt CFL if you're growing smaller/less plants. The standard bulb you have wastes a lot of energy (money) on creating heat.

Complex answer: If you are trying to grow plants that flower, you need both red and blue light. Red for the flowers to grow and blue for the vegetation/leaves. You'll want to purchase an LED grow light bulb that emits both forms of light. These are the most energy efficient bulbs converting nearly everything into useable light for the plant. The only downside is they emit an ugly purple color and it can be unsightly in the home when it's on.

Any thoughts on the HLG lights? Many said they are the best on the market right now, wondering if anyone has any experience with them and how they compare? https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Board-Grow-Bloom-4000K/dp/B076QDKVDZ and https://www.amazon.com/Quantum-Board-Grow-Bloom-3000K/dp/B07C59J8L2 and if you can only go with one color for a mix of plants in a area, is 3000k or 4000k better for everyone and their different stages?

I have the above bulb but my Thai Constellation seems to respond better to the Sanis, I am starting to see new growth after switching to it. https://www.amazon.com/SANSI-Spectrum-Hydroponic-Greenhouse-Houseplants/dp/B07BRKT56T/ref=pd_nav_hcs_rp_1/144-0843245-2944213?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07BRKT56T&pd_rd_r=5fce0d48-7daf-40c0-ab93-eadf4cb347e1&pd_rd_w=TherE&pd_rd_wg=wU4ur&pf_rd_p=daa7e66b-818b-4621-80ba-2a91681cf840&pf_rd_r=M7ZA62YV2A52J9Z63P3Q&psc=1&refRID=M7ZA62YV2A52J9Z63P3Q

I got one of these for my herbs and succulents. It's a 40 watt CFL bulb that outputs the equivalent of 200 watts! It's been about 2 weeks and my plants seem pretty happy.

This is what I have up top:


http://www.amazon.com/Light-4lamps-DL824-Fluorescent-Hydroponic/dp/B009GU4RMC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1420668096&sr=8-6&keywords=t5+grow+light



Its pretty good, the single light on the bottom is a leftover from a Dirt genius kit I got off ebay for like $30, which you can probably get 2 for that price.


Gotta do your searching

I just grabbed these and they work fine. They fit into most standard lamps (I got adapters to fit them into some wall mounted sconce lights from Ikea), and I set mine on a timer so I don't have to think about them. You can also get similar colored all-in-one (lights/fixture/timer) lamps on Amazon too. I just chose the bulbs for a more customizable aesthetic.

These can take half shade to full sun and you'll likely get stronger and more compact growth and better fruiting at closer to full sun. You're nowhere near that. This might work https://www.amazon.com/Light-4lamps-DL824-Fluorescent-Hydroponic/dp/B009GU4RMC/ref=sr_1_26?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1466223033&sr=1-26&keywords=grow+light but this https://www.amazon.com/VIPARSPECTRA-Reflector--Spectrum-Indoor-Plants/dp/B015FLSOCE/ref=sr_1_16?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1466223033&sr=1-16&keywords=grow+lightwould really do it if its in your budget. You could also go the High pressure sodium light route. But in general, start thinking brighter. Also be aware of the inverse square law. Light intensity drops off at the inverse square of the distance so for example at 3 feet you have 1/9 the light intensity you have at the source. So basically I would put whatever light as close to the plant as possible without causing heat stress or burning the leaves.

More great clothes rails if anyone else is looking:
https://www.amazon.com/Homissue-Industrial-Storage-Rolling-Organizer/dp/B07FG1Z78X/ref=sr_1_47?keywords=72+inch+wide+shelves&qid=1569273063&s=gateway&sr=8-47


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XHZL5XK/ref=sspa_dk_detail_5?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B06XHZL5XK&pd_rd_w=TQiVH&pf_rd_p=c83c55b0-5d97-454a-a592-a891098a9709&pd_rd_wg=pbEIL&pf_rd_r=JP7B2M79MXSP1EFN62TR&pd_rd_r=70e598ba-8864-49ff-af36-e28da56bf775&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzU1JCWEtQSTRUTkhQJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDI3ODQwMTI3OUxVU0paRjNZQSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMDc2NjAxVjVRTThOOEVGRzRUJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==


https://www.amazon.com/IRIS-Metal-Garment-Shelves-Black/dp/B075RBXB3W/ref=pd_cp_196_1/136-9380383-3892256?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B075RBXB3W&pd_rd_r=70e598ba-8864-49ff-af36-e28da56bf775&pd_rd_w=DeqE2&pd_rd_wg=pbEIL&pf_rd_p=ef4dc990-a9ca-4945-ae0b-f8d549198ed6&pf_rd_r=JP7B2M79MXSP1EFN62TR&psc=1&refRID=JP7B2M79MXSP1EFN62TR


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RSR2LWB/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B07RSR2LWB&pd_rd_w=JVMuP&pf_rd_p=45a72588-80f7-4414-9851-786f6c16d42b&pd_rd_wg=pbEIL&pf_rd_r=JP7B2M79MXSP1EFN62TR&pd_rd_r=70e598ba-8864-49ff-af36-e28da56bf775&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzU1JCWEtQSTRUTkhQJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMDcwMDQyMlREM0dFUzFNSkpPSiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjA2MDE5MkFEN1lQTEVGTDI3SyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2RldGFpbCZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

If you're serious about LED lighting consider one of these - one of the highest rated grow LED brands. Great warranty, solid spectrum and a full product line of different wattage and sizing.

I'm using this very model for my project

Hi! I'm just starting out and picked up the following light and it has, so far, been working great for my indoor kratky experiments over the past two months. Keep in mind, two months is the extent of my experience.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HEYCRI8/

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Best bang for your buck: http://www.amazon.com/Agrobrite-4-Tube-Fixture-Included-Fluorescent/dp/B002JQBQZQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1459460393&sr=8-1&keywords=t5+grow+light

I just picked up this guy. I have my succulents on my top shelf, and my seedlings 2 shelves down. So far I've seen really good results (which makes sense given how damn bright it is)

It depends on the plants, but that light wouldn't be much help to most garden/outdoor plants. Even something like this would need to be right next to the leaves to give them enough light, and left on for at least 12-16 hours.

If it's an indoor plant though, they generally don't need as much light and will most likely be fine even with that bulb you linked.

I have this one and have found it to be completely sufficient for keeping my plants happy in the winter! It has a clip and you can turn one or both lights on.

I found that taking care of plants helped me fight those feelings worthlessness that my depression brought about. Glad to hear you're doing thing to take care of yourself post-breakup! Here are the lights I use; they have a timer setting and various intensities: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07C24ND5C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have one of these in the lamp https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L74WDPW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s03?ie=UTF8&th=1 and it seems to be helping! I have a Monstera Adansonii sitting to the right of that deliciosa, and it puts out a new leaf every week even though we have had a few weeks of rain. Before I got these lights, I was using a 5000k LED bulb (100 watt), and it seemed to be helpful as well, but I couldn't find the 6500k version in stores so I just went with the blue and red ones it seems most people use when I "upgraded" my bulbs.

I just got this baby. Works perfect inside me little 2x3x3 seedling tent.

Thanks! This is the light I’m using.


GE Lighting 93101230 9-Watt BR30 LED Grow Light Bulb for Indoor Plants, Balanced Full Spectrum https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NN6SVG6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Yi2LDb7YVX9YM

I’ve only had my office garden for about 3 weeks (I have a bunch at home but this is my first work garden). So these plants are all straight from the grower.

I've had this for 2 years and it's still going strong

How big is your area? How many plants do you have? I grow Thyme, Rosemary and Oregano on a 2'x2'x3' tent with a 300 watt LED like this one https://www.amazon.com/VIPARSPECTRA-Reflector-Spectrum-Indoor-Plants/dp/B01B4GQ6MO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1520754703&sr=8-4&keywords=300+watt+LED They are in 6" pots and take up about half of the space. I use the other half for starting seedlings.

A lot of people get those closet organizers that have a rod and sometimes shelving, something like this. You can hang a bunch of plants from the rod.

Wouldn't I need a ballast too? Seem's considerable more expensive. Moreover, wattage usage is important too because Hydro rates in Ontario are bananas.

EDIT: What about this instead?

i have this one: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JQBQZQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1


decent unit. bonsais reacted well to it. runs cool, but also needs to be closer to the plants than your HPS or MH varieties.

I was the same way. I had no idea which to get, so I bought the blue/red light bars and they didn’t do anything for my plants. I ended up going with a full spectrum LED. My plants are thriving now.


SANSI 24W LED Plant Light Bulb... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BRKT56T?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

SANSI 15W LED Grow Light Bulb,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KXBY2YH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share