Hi, I am doing a biology assignment and I need answers asap!

Here’s your answer:

http://www.backyardgardener.com/greenhouse/PlantsNeed_tips.htm

Im using 6" pots to grow johnny jump up viola, delphinium, morning glory and sweet pea. (in good, new potting soil)
All were started from seed and are 2 weeks and growing. What a great new hobby! I want a grow light system and was wondering which is best?? Im open to any suggestions. Im a beginner at this and want to keep the tab under $160.

I was looking for a set which includes the bulb, protective lens, reflector, housing with hangers. You suggest either HID, HPS, CFL, wattage, lumens, etc

The 2 main sets im looking at are:
1. Sun Systems 150w HPS (high pressure sodium) which claim to put out 16,000 lumens.
However, I read somewhere that the color spectrum is mostly yellow/orange.
—–http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=HLCSHPS015SS

2. Hydrofarm 125 Watt Daylight 6400K
Compact Fluorescent Plant Grow Light System
The average lumens per watt is 60. Which means this light would produce roughly 7,500 lumens. But, more red and blue spectrum with this "new" bulb tech.
Again, I do not know how important lumens really are.
—–http://www.homeharvest.com/hydrofarmcompactfluorescents.htm

I might add I live in southern California. Its usually sunny here so I will take pots outdoors for few hours of sunlight on good days during winter/fall. During the spring and summer the plants will be outdoors all during the day light hours. (Being as no light can exactly reproduce the Solar light.) So Im really looking for a supplement light to give the plants an extended time span of light..

Thanks for your help!

I live in Southern Calif also, And grow all year round also. The second lighting system is the best. but it all depends. Will this be seen all the time in your home? Are you using it also as a focus feature in your home? If so, and the cost dosn’t matter, but looks count, get it. Otherwise, yep the old fashioned shop light fixture will work. Home depot. And their grow light will work also.

Yes the out put is important, but the distance from the light source is also important. As the plants are short. Keep the light about a foot away. As the plants grow, raise the light bar.
The plants that you are growing now, like the Johnny jump ups and the violas can be grown in your yard now through spring. Just keep them out of the wind a light touch of frost general wont harm them here in Calif. Sweet peas are generally started here around Feb-March. so you have a head start on them. You will need a trellis for them. I’d move them up to a 12" pot when about 6′ tall. You can then put container and all in the ground for their season outside. The morning glorys are usually grown during the summer, watch out once these get going they climb all over and can smother your other plants. If you have a Southern window. Put in BIGGER cotainer with a tall and well supported trellis (they get heavy) they love the light and heat. When you notice black seeds after blooming, colledt them. You then can start all over again for next year or season. Delphinium here is usually grown, spring through summer. Hopefully you started the preannuel ones. This means they come back each year for a new growing season.
You already sound like you have the knack of growing things. Around March April is when we go crazy here at our home. Seeds containers going everywhere. Even my kids are afaried to stand still, or I might put one on them.
Happy plantings
johnny jump up viola, delphinium, morning glory and sweet pea.

where in north hollywood is there a store for gardening (like indoor gardening) that has a website that i can check out right now

Hey Heeeeeey,

Hope I got the number of ‘e’s in your name right, lol. Here are some links, you might have to follow them to second links. There are some great nurseries in LA County, you might like to leave N.Hollywood to go and see some of them. Many yellow page listings (on the internet) also have web sites. Hope this helps you out some.