All About Grow Lights
Grow lights are indoor lights that allow you to increase your plant’s growth and extend the grow season of your plants by providing artificial sunlight. Most plants require 12 hours of sunlight to properly photosynthesize and grow. If you live in a cloudy area or have dark winters with short days, then a grow light can allow your plants to flourish without access to natural sun. Grow lights can help you maintain your herb or vegetable garden year-round. Grow lights also work well for establishing seedlings during the winter months to make them stronger for planting in the spring. No matter what your growing needs may be, there are many grow lights available on the market that can keep your plants flourishing year-round.
Fluorescent Grow Lights
The CFL and T5 full spectrum, fluorescent grow lights are the most energy efficient grow lights available on the market. Fluorescent grow lights are also inexpensive to own and operate. The CFL and T5 grow lights give off about 75 to 95 lumens per watt. You are getting bright light for a small amount of electricity. In addition to being low energy, the CFL and T5 give off very little heat that can alter the condition of your plants. Fluorescent grow lights give off a full spectrum of light and help the plants to absorb more of the light. In order for the fluorescent glow lights need to work properly, they must be positioned only a few inches above your plants.
Metal Halide Grow Lights
Metal halide grow lights give off a violet and blue light spectrum. The violet and blue light spectrum simulates sunlight in the spring months. Metal halide lights are best for starting off seedlings in preparation for the grow season. Metal halide grow lights are powerful, which means you only need one metal halide light to cover an area. However, the metal halide grow light gives off a lot of heat and needs to be positioned several feet above the plants. The bulbs of the metal halide have a relatively short lifespan and will need to be replaced after 10,000 hours.
LED Grow Lights
LED grow lights are relatively new on the market. They use very little energy, have a long lifespan and are inexpensive to operate. LED grow lights come in pinks and blues, which can make it hard to determine the condition and color of your plants when the LED lights are in use. The LED light gives off very little heat and should be positioned about a foot above your plants. LED lights are also beneficial to the environment because they are completely safe to recycle after use.
High-Pressure Sodium Lights
High-pressure sodium grow lights give off an orange and red light spectrum. The orange and red light spectrum simulates sunlight in the late summer and fall. Sodium grow lights encourage flowering and fruit production and help to expedite the harvesting process. The sodium light gives off large amounts of heat and will need to be placed three to four feet above your plants.
