Can you just use any light as a grow light?

Question

I was wondering if I had to get a grow light for my plants or could I just use a regular florescent light bulb or something like that? If not, what is the difference in the light bulbs?

Answer 1

A regular forescent light bulb will work fine.  Last winter I bought a  4 ft long hanging shop light for $9 at Home Depot.  Started all my garden seedlings under the light and they grew very well.  

The hanging shop light has a chain on each end at the top, so you can hang it under a cabinet or shelf by s******g small hooks (cup hooks) into the bottom of the cabinet or shelf, and hooking the chains onto them. .  You can raise the light as your plants go by raising the 2 chains,

When the seedlings are big enough  to go outside, you just unhook the chains, take the light down,  remove the small hooks from the underside of your cabinet and store the light in the basement or attic or wherever until next year.,  

Answer 2

i like the grow lights..and i put them on a timer in the winter months..we are trying to fool mother nature

Answer 3

You can use a regular daylight-style fluorescent bulb. The important thing is light intensity. You can get fluorescent bulbs designed for plants, but in my experience they are not much better than cheap tubes. Always use fresh tubes -- they loose brightness after a few months.