I'm starting my first year of growing seedlings indoors under grow lights. Right now, I'm manually switching them on and off to maintain a 16/8 light cycle since I don't have a timer. I'm heading out for the weekend and I'm wondering what's better for my little seedlings: leaving the lights on continuously for 48 hours or turning them off for that period? There's some natural light in the room, but not a ton. Any advice would be appreciated!
2 Answers
Honestly, I’d say keep those lights on for the 48 hours. Seedlings generally need that light, especially if they’re in a spot with little natural light. Just be cautious of not overheating them!
I'd recommend getting a timer for your grow lights! They're pretty affordable, usually between $10 and $25. If you can set it up, it’ll save you a lot of worry. If you really can't get one before heading out, leaving the lights on for the full 48 hours is generally better for seedlings, especially if they’re just starting out without real leaves yet. Just make sure they’re not getting too hot if you don’t have heat mats!