Is it necessary to illuminate seedlings on the windowsill: non-obvious mistakes of summer residents

20.02.2023 17:01
Updated: 27.02.2023 13:13

In February, windowsills in summer residents' apartments are covered with containers with future seedlings. Many also install lighting.

However, experience suggests that seedlings on the windowsill are not the best option, and it’s not even about sunlight.

Let's figure out why seedlings on a windowsill may sprout weakly.

The seedlings need to be illuminated for several hours a day, but this does not mean that if you put the container on the window, you don’t need to turn on the phytolamp.

In February and even in March, plants still do not have enough sunlight. At this time, individual crops should stand under lamps for 12-15 hours a day.

seedling
Photo: © Belnovosti

In this case, you need to take into account the location of the windows and the weather. If the windows face south, then the lamps are usually turned on for several hours early in the morning before sunrise and in the evening after sunset. If the weather is cloudy, then the lamps are not turned off during the day.

Seedlings on the windowsill - good or bad

Experienced gardeners think that it is bad. The seedlings may have enough daylight here, but it will be impossible to ensure a constant temperature (which is important) because of its fluctuations.

The reason is that cold air will constantly come from the window, and dry and hot air will come from the radiator.

Author: Igor Zur Internet resource editor