View Full Version : Sun Blaster Compact Fluorescent Full Spectrum Lighting
The Hollyberry Lady
11-20-2011, 11:11 AM
I really enjoy these little 26 W compact fluorescent bulbs with 1700 lumens. They screw into any ordinary desk lamp and can support one large mature plant or several growing seedlings. I've been using them for years and love them.
I was told that cancer patients and even people with SAD use them to feel better also! They're only 12 bucks each and they last nearly 6 months. I got a few of them as gifts for friends on this site. ;)
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_2620.jpg
Anyone else used these or seen them around and wondered if they were any good? They've provided me with excellent results over the years and I like that you can use them in a desk lamp. It makes a desk look nice to see a growing and thriving plant on top of it.
: )
trebor
11-21-2011, 07:57 PM
I saw them in a hydroponics store here in South Fla. Over on the novelty rack where all the impulse stuff is located.:ha: I picked one up to read it but it just did not have enough info for me. I need all the info to buy something .
In the reptile business we use UVB bulbs similar to those, or they could be the same bulbs ? . As a matter of fact my light on my desk is one that I got as a sample two years ago . Grow lights can be a valuable asset to inside plants! I used them when I was in Massachusetts. I grew cilantro in my wash room! But those were tubes . They worked great! I been interested in the LEDs that I keep hearing about on a Solar forum I read. Pretty interesting stuff
Jananas Bananas
11-21-2011, 08:00 PM
I have some purplish grow bulbs that I use over my African Violets. They are just regular looking bulbs and are NOT energy efficient. These you have look really cool!
~JaNan
The Hollyberry Lady
11-21-2011, 08:10 PM
Yes, it is very interesting stuff. :)
It might be difficult to read in my picture but here's what it says on the back of the box:
- equivalent to a 100W Incandescent
- 6400 K DAYLIGHT temperatures
- 1700 initial lumens
- Fits directly into a standard light socket
- 1 year warranty with proof of purchase
- CRI rating: 81
- Dimensions: 13.8cm (5.43") x 6cm (2.36)
- Lasts up to 10,000 hours
They truly are a good quality little grow bulb. I like screwing them into a desk lamp that clamps onto things, with a bendable neck, so that I can aim the light wherever I want.
The bulb can support about 6 seedlings, or one large mature plant. Just thougth I'd mention this great product here, in case anyone is looking for an inexpensive, yet good quality grow bulb, suitable for a smaller area in their home.
Thanks, Janan. I got one for you. ;) And Jordan also.
: )
trebor
11-21-2011, 08:26 PM
You know being able to direct the light is a powerful tool. Plus if you have ever placed seeds on a window sill you are always seeing your seedlings with their backs to you :) I like to look at those little guys and gaze at the little leaves .. The grow lights over the top allows them to grow up nice and straight .. Not really earth shattering stuff but it's more fun to see all them seedlings nice and neat looking in a row. Plus if your going to do any grafting you need nice straight seedlings . Or at least it is a helpful start . Then the light not being so hot allows those injured plants to repair a little better .. I grafted a bunch of tomatoes last year for larger root systems and was feeling my oats when they took off growing . I think if you had 700 plants in a green house that would be a little edge . because the plants did get a bit larger and I think I had more tomato’s also .. But I did not graft any more this year and cant really say to much about it .. ha ha The bulbs are good I’m just to lazy to graft any plants this year
The Hollyberry Lady
11-21-2011, 08:35 PM
Yes, these bulbs would be terrific for grafting...and for cuttings as well. They don't give off much heat either, which is something I appreciate.
I'll show shots of some of my growing seedlings under this type of bulb soon...
: )
Wondering where I might be able to buy them?
Sib
The Hollyberry Lady
11-21-2011, 10:59 PM
It says on the packaging,
Manufactured for:
Future Harvest Development
Kelona, BC, Canada
1-866-491-0255
SunBlaster Lighting - Fluorescent lighting for home, garden and business. (http://www.sunblasterlighting.com)
: )
jreidsma
11-21-2011, 11:07 PM
I am guessing this light is pretty much the same as the ones I use. They only give off 1600 Lumens or something though. Not quite 1700.
Thanks for the light bulb :)
Maybe when I am older and have more room I will be able to get a decent sized grow light. More like what is used for hydroponics or something a bit stronger.
The Hollyberry Lady
11-21-2011, 11:18 PM
You're very welcome, Jordan. ;)
Yes, get a larger system when you're older. For now you can just get this one from me. :goteam:
They sell out fast and then it's a couple of months before they get more so I bought 6 of them! :ha: Gonna give one to Bob also. :D They sure make wonderful little Christmas presents that gardeners enjoy.
Wait until you guys see the nice plants that grow under this type of bulb too. I think you really do need a desk lamp though that has a bendable neck. Do you guys have one of those? If not, you can buy them at Wal-Mart for 7-10 bucks!
: )
jreidsma
11-21-2011, 11:20 PM
I have a clamp on, goose-neck one. A metal leg/bendy one, and a goose-neck one. And will be getting a couple more.
They are more like $20 here :eek:
Jananas Bananas
11-21-2011, 11:44 PM
I have two of the clamp on goose neck ones. I can't wait to try it! :woohoonaner:
The Hollyberry Lady
11-21-2011, 11:59 PM
Oh I'm so glad you guys have got them! That's just great! Now you can aim the bulbs right down to the level the plants are growing.
You two will truly enjoy them...and when they're burned out, you'll be begging me to send ya another! :ha:
I'm hooking mine up tonight and I'll show it as my seedlings develop under it so you can see too. I will mail your bulbs off by next week for certain and I have a few other things too...
: )
jreidsma
11-22-2011, 12:04 AM
:ha::ha::ha:
In a year or so everyone will be begging you for light bulbs because we can't get them here ;) Isn't this called running a business? :ha:
Jananas Bananas
11-22-2011, 12:43 AM
Well it probably would be if she CHARGED us for them!!! :ha:
The Hollyberry Lady
11-22-2011, 12:55 AM
Yup and I could charge double price for them too! :eek:
Call them the "hollyberry hustle bulb"! :ha:
No but seriously...you guys really can't get them there?
: )
Jananas Bananas
11-22-2011, 12:59 AM
Sherry, I haven't seen them. I will look at HD and Lowe's the next time I go. I have looked for grow bulbs there before though and haven't really found much. Have they been out for very long? We've got to have them somewhere though. Trebor is in Florida isn't he? He said he saw some.
The Hollyberry Lady
11-22-2011, 01:11 AM
I've been using them for four or five years now. They keep improving them and making them better though. I can only get them from one place...Vantage Hydroponics.
I got my desk lamp hooked up tonight with a fresh bulb and have 10 germinating "Marble" hot pepper sprouts germinating underneath the light. :D
I'll get a shot...
: )
harveyc
11-22-2011, 02:38 AM
HBL, I have ES330 LED Grow Light - LumiGrow Horticultural LED Growth Lights (http://www.lumigrow.com/products/es-330-led-grow-light/) on my Christmas wish list! ;)
trebor
11-22-2011, 07:11 AM
Sherry, I haven't seen them. I will look at HD and Lowe's the next time I go. I have looked for grow bulbs there before though and haven't really found much. Have they been out for very long? We've got to have them somewhere though. Trebor is in Florida isn't he? He said he saw some.
https://www.jollygreenhydro.com/onlinestore/home.php
Thats a distributor in Texas :) I was on his web site earlier ..You might call them I could not find it on the site . But they are listed as the distributor.
I saw them in the local Hydro store here..
Gold Coast Hydroponics, hydroponic supplier (http://www.goldcoasthydro.com)
the products in this store change daily . Its a good supplier for all the basic stuff and they know what they are doing ..20 years of experience.. So with all that smarts they tend to over look some of the small stuff..
The Hollyberry Lady
11-22-2011, 11:42 AM
Those lights look fantastic, Harvey. Hope Santa makes you happy. :D
Ok so here's my bulb screwed into my little pink desk lamp...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_3042.jpg
I've got the bulb pointing down at these little sprouts that just germinated...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_3044.jpg
I'll continue to show them as they grow so you guys can see the quality results.
: )
Jananas Bananas
11-22-2011, 11:44 AM
Thanks Trebor! I will have to check them out.
~J
oakshadows
11-22-2011, 12:48 PM
Heres a site that has a some good info and prices. Do you think that the 5000k bulbs are good enough to work ?
25 Watt 5000K Spiral Compact Fluorescent Daylight Lights - greenelectricalsupply.com (http://www.greenelectricalsupply.com/25-watt-spiral-cfl-day-light.aspx)
jreidsma
11-22-2011, 01:14 PM
That's pretty much what I use now. Full spectrum/day light. Just those you posted are 1700 lumens while mine are only 1600. So ya I would think they would work.
harveyc
11-22-2011, 02:19 PM
HBL, I don't believe in Santa, but you have displayed some great generosity! :D
Just j/k! ;)
oakshadows
11-22-2011, 03:32 PM
Been nuts, gone bananas....... and don't believe in Santa, you foolish one. Ha Ha
harveyc
11-22-2011, 03:50 PM
Not the Santa invented by Coca Cola, at least.
The Hollyberry Lady
11-22-2011, 07:40 PM
Too funny, Harvey. Yeah you gotta be a REAL close pal to get that kind of generosity out of me! :ha:
I think that bulb would work great, Noah! Give it a try and let us know.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
11-24-2011, 05:48 PM
Here are the "Marble" seedlings tonight under the bulb. They're turning really purple from the intense light...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_3110.jpg
: )
stevelau1911
11-25-2011, 01:22 AM
They sell 125 watt, and even a 200 watt which has 14,000 lumens so these guys do put out a bit more light for their wattage, but is there something that sets them apart from regular cfls?
If your 26 watt is working well on seedlings, then the 200 watt one may also work pretty good on larger plants and if they are strong enough to promote fruiting, there may be no need for metal halides, or lighting set ups that require a ballast and cost hundreds of dollars.
harveyc
11-25-2011, 01:38 AM
The MJ growers on the rollitup forum stated the 200 watt version isn't even enough for a 2' x 2' growing area. Those folks are highly motivated growers and seem to know their stuff quite well. Of course, most of us are satisfied with something less than maximum growth.
oakshadows
11-25-2011, 02:25 PM
Too funny, Harvey. Yeah you gotta be a REAL close pal to get that kind of generosity out of me! :ha:
I think that bulb would work great, Noah! Give it a try and let us know.
: )
Think I will order 6 and see how the work out. Will need some light supplement soon anyway. Will post results.
The Hollyberry Lady
11-25-2011, 02:31 PM
I think what mainly sets this bulb apart from the rest is that it screws into a standard size socket and no special socket or ballest would need to be purchased.
Here's mine screwed into an ordinary clamp-on desk lamp with a bendable neck...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_3122.jpg
These bulbs take up very little space and they truly can support one large plant at a time. Fruits will develop under this lamp too...at least peppers and tomatoes will on dwarf-type plants.
I also have a 400 W metal halide set-up but these smaller bulbs are more convenient, take up less room, give off practically no heat, and sustain my seedlings for months until I'm ready to plant them elsewhere.
That would be so great, Noah. I'd love to see other people's results with these bulbs. You won't be disappointed. Just make sure you have a desk lamp with a bendable neck.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
11-27-2011, 04:51 PM
Seedlings are now developing true leaves...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_3126.jpg
: )
trebor
11-27-2011, 04:59 PM
Those are some good looking seedlings .. I'm liking the color :)
The Hollyberry Lady
11-28-2011, 03:39 AM
Thank you, Trebor. ;)
Ok so I've now got the seedlings transplanted into these little pots, with 6 plants each...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_3145.jpg
Because this type of hot pepper plant ("marble") is dwarf, you can grow a lot of them in a small area. We'll see how it works out...
No laughing that I have things set up on the back of my toilet! :ha:
: )
trebor
11-28-2011, 08:51 AM
Ha ha ha ! That’s a perfectly good place to grow stuff..
I was looking at some you tube videos over the week end. I have to admit, I just never noticed how many of those bulbs are being used . I saw plenty of 4 socket set ups in use to grow plants. It looks like a few people might have used old ceiling fan fixtures :)
Jananas Bananas
11-28-2011, 10:14 AM
I'M LAUGHING!!! :ha::ha::ha::ha::ha:
Just kidding! You know I have three AeroGardens in my bathroom and another one in one of the other bathrooms! So I definitely have plants growing in my bathrooms too.
The Hollyberry Lady
11-28-2011, 06:28 PM
Thanks for being so understanding about my toilet garden! :ha:
Yes, a lot of people (who don't want to put out the 10 bucks for the desk lamp :ha:) rig up those old ceiling fan sockets, Trebor. :08:
Sometimes too though, people want to use more than one bulb at a time so this is a good way to accommodate several of them...rather than having 4 desk lamps! :ha:
The seedlings are standing up tall tonight after their transplanting last night...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_3203.jpg
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
11-30-2011, 12:18 PM
Coming along...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_3248.jpg
: )
trebor
11-30-2011, 12:46 PM
You Go Girl!
ha ha Look at that pepper busting up to see some sunlight! Sticking out its leaves to catch some rays .. A gentle giant on to it's own .. Creating oxygen and pleasing any who take time to gaze upon it ..
I just stuck a seedling poblano in my hydro this morning . He's out there sucking up some nutrient in full sunlight today....
The Hollyberry Lady
12-06-2011, 06:12 PM
Thanks, Trebor!
Ok, remember this will be a dwarf hot pepper plant...so the leaves are small. Here's the biggest seedling this evening...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_3270.jpg
I went back to Vantage Hydroponics (now called Ontario Grower's Supply) and was able to get my hands on four more bulbs! :D They make such great Christmas presents for gardeners.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
12-10-2011, 02:56 PM
I've got my mini Poinsettia under the extra lighting of the bulb and it's doing well. The leaves are all standing up to catch the light...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_3305.jpg
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
12-18-2011, 07:49 PM
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/3rd%20album/IMG_3490.jpg
Getting bigger. :goteam:
: )
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