In case of light shortages, plants produce smaller leaves, elongated internodes, and may even stop growing altogether. Therefore, the issue of proper lighting for plants – how many lumens the chosen lamp should have, in the conditions of our climate zone – concerns both large, professional crops and home cultivation by enthusiasts.
How to illuminate plants in the garden? How to supplement crops with light? Given that a properly selected device promotes more effective plant growth and has a beneficial impact on flowering and fruiting processes, it is worth considering which lamp for plant lighting will be the most suitable for your own cultivation. We invite you to continue reading the article if you want to learn about the types of bulbs available on the market for plant lighting and how they can be used.
What grow lights do manufacturers offer for plant illumination?
How to design the most appropriate lighting for crops, and how many lumens are recommended for specific species? When considering what to use for plant lighting and which bulb to choose for plant illumination, it is worth looking at what types of grow lights manufacturers offer.
HPS and MH Lamps
Until recently, this was the most common type of lighting in plant cultivation and growing. This was due to the affordable price and the guarantee of the device emitting a large amount of light. In practice, this means that one lamp can illuminate a significant growing area. However, the most serious drawback of high-pressure sodium (HPS) and metal halide (MH) lamps is their high demand for electrical energy. This creates the necessity of using an additional power supply, given the significant energy consumption. Additionally, these lamps heat up quickly, which results in an increase in the room temperature.
CFL Lamps
The so-called fluorescent lamps or CFLs consume less electricity than the lamps using the technology described above. They are characterized by a long lifespan, and the bulbs are offered with bases for popular E14 and E27 fixtures. However, it should be noted that CFL lighting has a relatively low light output. Therefore, it may not be suitable for certain types of crops. With proper positioning, CFL lamps can serve as a supplement to natural light.
LED Lamps
Currently, in the opinion of many specialists, the most effective lamps for plant lighting are devices using LED technology. The system of connected diodes allows for the regulation of various parameters of the emitted light. This creates a solution that meets the individual needs of a given crop in terms of the plants' light requirements during different stages of development. The spectral composition of the spectrum in LED lamps that stimulate plant growth is closest to natural light. This innovative technology allows for the adjustment of lighting strictly to the needs of specific plant varieties by regulating the light intensity and individual spectral ranges.
How to illuminate plants energy-efficiently? A significant advantage of LED lighting panels is their energy savings. These devices consume up to several dozen percent less electricity than sodium lamps. This is particularly noticeable in the case of large-scale crops, which have a high demand for additional lighting.
What popular grow lights are available on the market?