From: J.M. Snow (jsnow_at_asl.fs.uidaho.edu)
Date: 10/04/02
From: "J.M. Snow" <jsnow_at_asl.fs.uidaho.edu> Date: Fri, 4 Oct 2002 08:34:43 PST8PDT Subject: Re: Omega Garden - High-density gardening for small spaces/urban farming Message-ID: <F853A5A6956@asl.fs.uidaho.edu>
Date forwarded: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 18:55:37 -0700
From: "J & D Goldman" <jmgoldma_at_dwx.com>
Subject: Re: Omega Garden - High-density gardening for small spaces/urban farming
Date sent: Thu, 3 Oct 2002 21:00:44 -0500
< snip >
>
> And as to light quality. All that stuff I just told you about
> photoperiod? Sometimes its just reds or blues that plants respond to.
> If the intensity of certain wavelengths are insufficient, you get no
> response to the daylength at all. Different light sources provide
> different wavelength balances, incandescent being on the red side,
> flourescent being on the blue, and the overpriced "plant lamps" try to
> convince you they are best, although in many cases, all they do is
> make the plants look nicer to the human eye and eat more of your
> electric bill to deliver the light plants really need.
>
> This is a deep and fascinating subject to those of us who enjoy plant
> life, and believe me, there is a LOT more to it than I mention here. I
> just thought I'd share some of what I have learned to help you sort
> through some of the claims you may be seeing on the web.
>
>
< snip >
> -Dan G.
There have also been some interesting studies done showing the
advantage of putting colored plastic mulch under plants to reflected
the appropriate colors back to the plant. Black helps to heat the
soil and light colors will help keep it cooler. Different plants like
different colors -- red will promote plant growth in tomatoes, where
as, blue promotes root development in potatoes. It's all very
interesting.
janet