help, indoor closet tomato grow

[Superfrk]

I know the name of this site is not tomato.com but really need some help from the real experts at growing indoors so hope no one gets mad about the post.
I am getting into the hobby of plant breeding so wanted to grow a couple of wild hybrid tomatoes indoors to try and get some seed to distribute next spring.

I have two CFL lights a 65 actual watt bulb (2700k)and a 125 actual watt bulb (5500k). I started the plants under the 2700k while my 5500k was in the mail.
Had 100% germ rate and slow growth but healthy plants, then switched to the 5500k one I got it and my plants burned up, wet soil but crinkly dry leaves and no new growth. My ? is how far can I place the lights away from the plants and still have good results as currently they are too close

Here is a couple pics





at the current distances I can not run both lights even with the fan running

Superfrk Reviewed by Superfrk on 10-13-2010. help, indoor closet tomato grow I know the name of this site is not tomato.com but really need some help from the real experts at growing indoors so hope no one gets mad about the post. I am getting into the hobby of plant breeding so wanted to grow a couple of wild hybrid tomatoes indoors to try and get some seed to distribute next spring. I have two CFL lights a 65 actual watt bulb (2700k)and a 125 actual watt bulb (5500k). I started the plants under the 2700k while my 5500k was in the mail. Had 100% germ rate and Rating: 5

[bronc76]

sounds like you need to cool the grow space. Tomatoes or cannibis if its too hot you will burn them. try to keep it around 75F and about 50% humidity. You might want to consider going to a couple of 2ft T-5 flourecents. I veg all my plants using them with great results. Should work for you as well. They put off very little heat so you can keep them close. Are you using neutrients? The soil in the cups is it store bought or did you just get it from your yard?:rasta:

[DOUGAL25]

For the bulbs you have, you can keep them at a distance of 4-5 inches. However, those reflectors you have can trap heat and aim it at the plant. I've seen that first hand. If you feel like heat is being trapped from the reflector, you can remove them. Light from a CFL bulb does not get reflected that well anyway.

I like bronc's idea about the T-5's, if you have the money to buy those. :stoned:

[Superfrk]

Thanks so much for the fast reply. The soil is Miracle grow so it should have enough fert to get them started, other than that I did add a mineral, vit , and cal supplement.

Will see if I can remove the reflectors and see if that cools it down, my temps are usually about 85 F and humidity in the 35% range. Usually is 76 when the lights are off so yea they are putting out some heat it seems

[seventhchild]

no nutes for seedling "love apples " switch to a mix with NO added nutes and do not feed until 3rd or 4th set of leaf than feed lightly .replace the box fan with one the osculates. and never never never allow your pots to to set in standing water.....cup in cup is a bad idea......soil MUST dry between waterings

[Superfrk]

no nutes for seedling "love apples " switch to a mix with NO added nutes and do not feed until 3rd or 4th set of leaf than feed lightly .replace the box fan with one the osculates. and never never never allow your pots to to set in standing water.....cup in cup is a bad idea......soil MUST dry between waterings

yea the cup in cup was a self watering setup so that might also be part of the issue. I moved them away from the light some and they appear to be doing a little better.

I have some new ones started in solid colored cups in trays as pretty sure even if the originals come back they are probably already stunted.