Is My Light Right? or too Bright? ... like a Kite?

[Ray]

I agree with Ross - take it back and get the one closest to a 5000°K color temperature, as it will likely have similar out put levels at the spectral regions surrounding those needed by the plant - 425 to 450 nm and 650-675 nm.

If I remember correctly, the red end of the spectrum primarily affects vegetative growth, and the blue end favors blooming (somebody better check me on that before accepting it), which is why incandescent "grow lights" often have a blue coating and fluorescent ones have a pinker phosphor than does "cool white".

For the all-around best environment, a balance of the two is the target.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Ray

If I remember correctly, the red end of the spectrum primarily affects vegetative growth, and the blue end favors blooming (somebody better check me on that before accepting it), which is why incandescent "grow lights" often have a blue coating and fluorescent ones have a pinker phosphor than does "cool white".

You are on the right track Ray, but backwards. Red end "supposedly" stimulates flowering and blue end green growth. This is based on the (in my mind) mistaken believe all flowering is due to change or season. Yes, as seasons wane and sun drops lower in horizon (for lots of folks), light gets redder. In spring (corresponding to normal flush of growth) sun is getting higher in sky resulting in bluer light. Easy to attach this to a scenario where red light = blossoms and blue light = growth. All I ask is what about the equator, where relative day length and sun position is the same all year around? I really need to start a new thread, because this is rapidly turning into an article. Think I'll do that and let the readers here ponder and interact with that article.