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How to choose a bulb for growing plants at home? Artificial lighting for plants: types of lamps and their installation.

In order for the plant to bloom profusely, develop well, it needs a sufficient amount of sunny color. This is necessary for the natural process of photosynthesis - the plant synthesizes carbohydrates, which are involved in the process of their growth and development. V summer period the time when houseplants receive the required amount of sunlight, the question of additional lighting does not arise. However, with the onset of winter, this problem becomes most urgent.

Novice growers tend to illuminate houseplants with ordinary lamps. But this is completely useless. The leaves are still pale, the plants bloom little and poorly. After all, it is not able to fully replace the sun color. In addition, if you illuminate the plants with a conventional lamp. In this case, you need special fluorescent

What kind of lighting to choose

During early spring, late autumn and winter, when ornamental plants there is not enough sunlight, electric lighting comes to the rescue. Under the influence, their leaves become brighter and greener. A lush profuse flowering lasts much longer.

There are different plant lamps, how to choose the most suitable one?

For successful year-round cultivation, it is necessary to purchase a lighting installation in a specialized store. Their selection is quite extensive. Today, manufacturers offer a variety of lamp-fixtures: standing on tripods, wall-mounted, pendant, fastened with Velcro and clothespins.

The most optimal for them are orange-red and blue-violet rays. The former are conducive to development. The latter enhance vegetative growth. When choosing fluorescent lamps for plants, it is important to take into account the fact that the blue energy emitted by the lamp should be a couple of times lower than the red energy.

It is important to remember that highlighting should be done regularly, not from time to time. Since periodic lighting can only harm the plants, thus, their biorhythms go astray.

When choosing the type of lighting for plants, it is important to remember that great importance has not only its intensity, but the spectrum of radiation. In this case the best option is a spectrum ranging from ultraviolet rays to infrared.

Light similar to daylight is provided by artificial light sources, but not in the entire spectrum. Everyone knows that chlorophyll is involved in the transformation of light energy into energy. organic compounds, the best absorbers of light are the red and blue parts of the spectrum. A plant growth lamp with a red spectrum promotes accelerated seed germination and shoot growth. The growth of green mass at the first stage of plant development is facilitated by blue-violet light.

For plants, you can use as light sources different kinds lamps: incandescent, gas-discharge, LEDs, as well as fluorescent lamps for plants. The last option is currently the most popular.

Standard incandescent lamps are least suitable for these purposes, since they are characterized by low light intensity, orange and red predominate in their spectrum and which accelerate vertical growth, under such lighting the plants stretch out.

Fluorescent lamps for plants are closest to the spectrum of daylighting, in addition, unlike incandescent lamps, they are much more economical. Most of plants develop well under these lamps.

Fluorescent lamps

Their light is as close to natural light as possible, in addition, they practically do not emit heat. Most importantly, fluorescent lamps for indoor plants, unlike incandescent lamps, consume 4 times less energy.

Today in stores you can see huge selection these lighting devices - of various power, shape, type of radiation of light waves, type of discharge generated, etc.

It is also worth highlighting energy-saving fluorescent lamps - the most popular and economical ones.

Distance to plants

Fluorescent lamps must be placed from decorative deciduous plants at a distance of 30-60 cm, from decorative flowering plants - 20-30 cm.However, if you use this type of lighting as the main one - in chandeliers or sconces, then in this case main principle- not the distance to the lamp, but the sufficiency of light. But if you have large area there are 1-2 devices, then the plants should be placed as close as possible to the lamps, that is, at the distance indicated above.

When the plant is located on one side of the lamp, it is recommended to periodically turn it over.

Specifications

As a rule, fluorescent lamps are used for backlighting for growing plants of daytime type LBT or LB, since it is they who give cold light. Such brands as LDC and LD are unsuitable for such purposes, since their spectrum is only capable of inhibiting the plant.

Depending on the distance and area of ​​the illuminated room, the lamp power for indoor plants is selected.

How to place your plant light correctly

During placement, it is important to remember that if you double the distance to the lamp, you need to quadruple the light intensity per plant.

If burn marks begin to appear on the leaves, it means that the light source is too low, pale leaves and elongated stems indicate that the lamp for plant growth is too far away.

Side artificial lighting can bend the stems towards the light, so it is better to illuminate from above.

Lighting duration

Since the primary goal is to increase the daylight hours of the plant, it is also necessary to extend it depending on the natural daylight hours - in the evening and in the morning for 3-4 hours. As a result, the time should be about 6-8 hours. For especially cloudy days, it is advisable to turn on the lamps for 12 hours.

It is also worth noting that plants require a dormant period, since the forced long flowering v winter period drains them significantly. The exception is plants that bloom in winter.

The basis of highlighting is the change of periods: day and night. Build a clear schedule right away, without a sharp change in the length of lighting, otherwise it will negatively affect the growth of plants.

Carefully choose the distance between the light source and the seedlings. Radiation power operates on the basis of the inverse square law. Therefore, in order to increase the light intensity by 4 times, you need to move the lamp at a distance less than 2 times. To save energy and increase efficiency, it is better to place seedlings in the area of ​​\ u200b \ u200bthe southern windows.

Each plant needs an appropriate regimen. For example, vegetable seedlings need natural light, other plants choose partial shade. If the windows of your apartment overlook north side then your seedlings will need additional lighting.

There is a very simple way to improve illumination. You just need to use reflective screens (a roll of foil, mirrors, pure white cardboard), covering the boxes with seedlings with inside premises.

Remember, the sun's rays will never replace artificial light. Therefore, if possible, it is better to give up winter cultivation. The ideal time for young growth is from March to April.

What are the lamps for growing seedlings

So why can't you light up the plants with an ordinary lamp? Because it has an incomplete spectrum, and the seedlings need full lighting.

For example, the blue spectrum is needed to restrain the growth of the stem and stimulate timely cell division (it blocks the excessive stretching of the plant), and the red spectrum activates the growth and formation of roots. The entire set of spectra has positive influence for the full development and size of young animals.

That is why special lamps have been developed for amateurs to grow seedlings with their own hands. Such lamps have the following varieties:

  • Phytolamps. They have a pink-violet spectrum, which is ideal for plants, but very harmful to human health. Such luminaires must be equipped with special reflectors.
  • Sodium metal halide. They have their minus - too little blue. In this regard, the full development of plants is inhibited, and they hatch with great difficulty. In addition, these lamps definitely require additional device-power regulator.
  • Luminescent. Quite affordable and effective enough. Minus - too cold light gives too poor a red spectrum.
  • Classic (incandescent). More suitable for heating a room than for lighting. The most economical option.
  • LED. Perfect for highlighting. As an additional plus, it can be called a long service life.

The cost of lamps depends on their type, configuration, manufacturer. average cost luminaires range from 900 to 2,500 rubles.

Sodium

Sodium lamps are best used to illuminate seedlings in the last stages of growing. The light of these lamps has a positive effect on the process of flowering and the formation of ovaries. But at the time of plant growth, it can accelerate the elongation of the stems.


Attention! Such lamps should never be plugged directly into an outlet. They require special equipment.

Advantages:

  • Increased intensification of radiation, which has a beneficial effect on photosynthesis;
  • luminous flux stability;
  • the duration of the service life;
  • yellow-orange glow that does not irritate the eye membrane. This factor allows these lamps to be used even in residential premises.

Disadvantages:

  • high price;
  • the need for an additional regulatory mechanism.

Phytolamp

The spectrum of colors of these lamps allows housewives to grow beautiful and strong seedlings. Phytolamps are often used in hotbeds and greenhouses.


Advantages:

  • profitability;
  • efficiency;
  • compactness;
  • durability;
  • environmental friendliness;
  • security.

Disadvantages:

The pink-lilac glow that these types of lamps emit is unnatural for human eyes, therefore it sometimes causes headaches. Permitted for use in residential premises only with the installation of a mirror external reflector.

Metal halogen sodium lamps

These artificial light sources require additional devices to function properly. This fact significantly increases their cost.


The advantage is increased efficiency, while the disadvantage is a slight deficit in the blue spectrum.

Fluorescent lamps

Fluorescent lights have a full spectrum, which is especially valuable for improved growth and complete plant formation. When buying, check with the seller for the conditions for connecting the lamp. Some of them can be switched on directly, and some require ballast (accessory). Of the benefits, only cold light can be named.


The disadvantages are as follows:

  • low power (you need to install several at once);
  • low component of red light when emitted;
  • fragility.

Classic lamps

Some owners are trying to save money, so they illuminate the seedlings with ordinary incandescent lamps (with a tungsten filament). Such a process is not only ineffective, but basically useless.


There are reasons for this, contained in the features of these lamps, namely:

  1. Only five percent of the energy from all radiation, turns into a luminous flux. The rest, ninety-five percent, is converted to heat. That is, such light sources heat the room better than illuminate it.
  2. The radiation spectrum does not correspond to the needs of the seedlings, therefore adversely affects her. Under such conditions, the stem of the sprouts is excessively stretched, the biomass dries up, and the leaves get burned.

LED

Today, LED lamps for growing seedlings are considered the most optimal and balanced choice.


Ideal illumination is achieved due to the following factors:

  • Low power consumption. The lamp itself does not overheat, so you can safely place it as close to the seedlings as you like. This will not be detrimental to your plants.
  • Economy.
  • Durability.
  • LEDs do not overheat the soil. This means that the frequency of watering can be significantly reduced, because the land will not dry out for quite a long time.
  • The ability to achieve a magenta color that, while not useful to human eyes, is excellent for sprouts. LED lights you need to select, taking into account at what stage of development your plant is. For more early stages necessary a large number of it is blue, and less reddish. If you mix these shades, you get the desired purple.

How to make a lamp with your own hands - step by step instructions

Modern shops and garden centers will offer you an incredible number of different lamps for growing seedlings, guaranteeing the right spectrum, the required duration and intensity of illumination. But with a little imagination and with little physical effort, you can easily make such a lamp yourself.

To create the simplest design, you will need a couple wooden blocks and several fluorescent lamps. So, step by step instructions:

  • Take four wooden bars, the length of four of them should be one hundred centimeters and one 80 cm.
  • Prepare screws: short and long.
  • Fix the fluorescent lamps ( the right amount) on a piece of wood, eighty centimeters long.
  • Then, connect the two pieces of wood in the shape of the letter "L". With the other two, do the same. For fasteners, you can use screws or ordinary PVA glue.
  • Install on top, between two "L", a bar with a lamp, and carefully fix it.
  • As a result, you should have a hut. It is under it that your seedlings are established.

Of course, as lighting, you can choose absolutely any design. Remember that by growing the plants yourself, you will be completely sure that they are free of various chemicals and pests.

An additional plus is that the built lighting mechanism can be used many times. That is, harvest seeds in a timely manner from the harvest in the fall, and grow healthy and robust seedlings in the spring.

Outcome

Vegetable and flower sprouts are heat-loving plants, so their formation directly depends on the length of daylight hours. In low light conditions, the process of photosynthesis begins to slow down, the growth of biomass is inhibited, and the seedlings begin to get sick.

Therefore, if you want to get healthy and strong seedlings, ensure the young growth is correct and quality lighting... Remember to make an effort if you want to enjoy the aromas of flowers and the flavors of vegetables harvested from your garden in the summer.

Light is one of critical factors for the growth and development of plants. Of course, natural light is available to everyone and you do not need to spend money on it, but, alas, it is not always enough. If the plants do not have enough light (this phenomenon is especially often observed in winter), then you have to resort to additional lighting sources. Special electrical sources are designed so that the emitted waves stimulate growth and create favorable conditions for photosynthesis.

What kind of lighting is needed for growing plants

Artificial light for effective plant growth must emit an electromagnetic spectrum similar to that obtained by plants in their natural environment. If a complete analogy is difficult to achieve, then lighting should satisfy at least minimal needs. To ensure the most comfortable conditions for development, special lamps are selected that have different effects. The specific choice should depend on what type of plant is grown and at what stage of development it is.

When using artificial light sources, it is very important that they provide exactly the assimilation lighting required. If lamps are ineffective for such a purpose, then for the most part they will only produce heat.

Today, several schemes for the use of artificial lighting can be used:

  • to increase the intensity of photosynthesis, artificial light is used as an addition to natural light;
  • periodic scheme - additional lighting is connected only in order to be able to control the duration of the light period during the day;
  • complete replacement natural light, which allows maximum control over the process of plant growth.

It is worth noting that a complete replacement daylight used exclusively in climate controlled rooms. Only when the balance is observed can the optimal growth and development of plants be ensured.

When deciding to use phytolight for growing certain plants at home, you must follow the following recommendations:

  • usually, the closer the lamp is to the sprout itself, the greater the effect from it, but here you should be as careful as possible in order to prevent excessive heat release;
  • if the source is located about 20 centimeters from the flowers, then the effect is usually achieved with a distribution of about 70 watts for each square meter soil;
  • when natural daylight hours are shortened (in winter time), it must be artificially lengthened by at least 4 hours;
  • the light should be directed directly at the plant itself.

What lamps are better for lighting

The most important question is which phyto-luminaires are the best to choose? Today there are many varieties of devices for creating artificial light, but not all of them are suitable for growing plants. Consider the most common types of lamps that allow for the active development of flora at home.

LED phytolamps

Thanks to modern developments, led light sources have become affordable and capable of serving their owner for a long time. The choice of many falls on this type of lamps due to a number of their advantages:

  • low power;
  • low level of heat generation;
  • their use allows you to reduce the intensity of moisture evaporation, which means that the periods between waterings are lengthened;
  • several colors can be combined in one lamp, which means that it can overlap several phytoactive sites at once.

It is not difficult to make such a lamp with your own hands, but it is still impossible to purchase a powerful device, since there are difficulties in mass production.

Energy Saving (ESL)

The structure of such a light bulb is very convenient - it has a built-in choke, which means that all that is needed is simply to screw it into the socket. Distinguish ECL by the type of glow:

  • cold spectrum (intended to accelerate the growth of seedlings);
  • warm spectrum (favorable during the flowering stage);
  • day spectrum.

It is the latter type that is recommended to be used as an independent source of artificial light for plants. The huge advantages of such lamps are low energy consumption and a very long service life (on average, up to 15 thousand hours). Such advantages also have material expression - one lamp will serve for a very long time, which significantly reduces the cost of purchasing new lamps.

Luminescent

The main advantages of this type of lamps are that they do not heat up, which means they have no effect on the air temperature, which is very important when growing plants. When choosing, you need to give preference to those types of fluorescent lamps in which blue rays are present - they are necessary for the effective flow of photosynthesis.

Standard fluora units produce twice the light energy per unit of electrical power compared to conventional incandescent bulbs. They can work continuously up to 20 thousand hours.

It is also worth noting the long service life and efficiency in terms of electricity consumption. Cheaper cold light bulbs are less efficient for growing plants.

Aquarium

In order to grow plants in an aquarium, special lamps for artificial lighting are also needed. There are two main types of such devices.

Actinic blue lamps are capable of producing radiation that penetrates well through the water column. That is why actinic lights are recommended for large aquariums.

Full spectrum lamps have a full spectrum of radiation. The light emitted by them is as close as possible to daylight. It is for this reason that they are recommended to be placed in those aquariums for which there is no way to provide daylight from the window.

Sodium

Such lamps, as a rule, are used already at later periods of growth (at the reproductive stage). NLVD affect the process of flower and fruit formation, accelerating it. If you apply them to young, developing plants, then they will grow a little faster, but at the same time they will turn out to be more spreading.

In some cases, due to the nature of the radiation, the plant may visually appear pale and unhealthy.

This type of luminaire has a high luminous efficiency and a long service life. They are often used as fragmented light in greenhouses when most of the light comes from natural sources.

Metal halide

This light source is highly efficient and approximately 80% close to natural light. Hid luminaires are versatile, as engineers are able to change the basic characteristics of the luminous flux, thereby making them the most suitable for a specific purpose. This technology has the most important attribute - white light, which provides such an accurate proximity to sunlight.

If these lamps are used to illuminate plants, they will grow shorter and more compact. Appearance will not differ in any way from those specimens that were grown on the street. Useful service life - up to 20 thousand hours.

Ultraviolet

Ultraviolet radiation most of them have a detrimental effect on plant growth. Only red (helps seeds germinate), blue (stimulates cell division) and purple (it is advisable to have only small quantities) will be useful.

The most common germicidal lamps that emit far ultraviolet light are unsuitable for growing plants, as well as tanning lamps and black light devices (sometimes the latter are used to irradiate dill and parsley to improve their taste).

Video: an overview of lamps that replace sunlight for plants

For effective growth and development of plants in conditions of lack of natural light, it is simply necessary to use additional light sources. The video covers all existing types lamps that can be used for this purpose, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

The process of growing seedlings of most flowers and garden crops starts in winter. The initial stage is the preparation and germination of seeds. When the first shoots appear, summer residents pick young shoots into individual containers. At this stage, in addition, insolation is very important for the plant - getting the required amount sunlight. Very often it is not enough because the winter day is short and the night is long. In this case, additional artificial lighting is required. It is achieved with the help of special seedling lamps.

The development of modern, innovative technologies allows the summer resident to choose the appropriate type of lighting. In stores you can find wide range of specially combined, high-quality devices for young plants.

Experienced summer residents who have been growing seedlings for more than one year are advised to make lamps for seedlings with their own hands. It remains to buy only all the necessary components (base, choke, cable, electrical plug, lamp of the corresponding type). No special knowledge is required, you should only have basic concepts of electrical engineering.

What is the best type of lamp to choose?

There are many advantages of supplementary lighting devices, and it is rather difficult to overestimate their role in the process of seedling growth.

Firstly, artificial insolation completely imitates the flow of sunlight, therefore, it contributes to the gradual development of a young seedling, as it happens with natural light from the sun.

Secondly, thanks to good additional lighting, plants will grow "correctly", without deviations and interruptions. Many summer residents ask whether it is possible not to use lamps for home seedlings? The experts' answers boil down to the conclusion that to leave developing plants not desirable without artificial lighting. If you neglect it, such seedlings can stretch out, and the leaves will be pale and underdeveloped. In some cases, deformation of the base of young plants can be observed. This greatly affects the yield.

And thirdly, with very early cultivation seedlings (, begonia, shabo carnation, lobelia; vegetable crops-, celery, and chernukha from seeds) prolongation of daylight hours with artificial insolation is very necessary.

What to expect from a seedling lamp? How do you choose the right technology? What should you look for when choosing a plant light? Summer residents and gardeners often ask similar questions. First, you need to determine the main types of devices that are used in a modern dacha and vegetable garden:

  • Phyto-lighting.
  • Energy saving.

There are no conventional incandescent bulbs listed. They cannot be used for finishing seedlings. It is too energy intensive, they do not provide the required radiation and generate too much heat. Some summer residents still combine them with other types of lighting, but this does not always provide the desired result.

Effective phytolamps for seedlings

The most effective phyto lamps for growing seedlings:

  • LED lightening.
  • Luminescent.
  • Sodium lamps.

LED lamp for seedlings ... It is not difficult to buy them today. The stores offer a wide selection of them. They emit a special light for supplementary illumination of rapidly growing sprouts during the winter short days. Many studies by scientists prove that certain spectral colors affect the metabolic processes of plants in different ways. Such a lamp for illuminating seedlings must have strictly regulated ranges in order to replace the natural rays of sunlight as accurately as possible. The main colors of the spectrum are blue and red. The wavelength of the blue spectrum should be 460 nm and the red spectrum should be 660 nm. LEDs have exactly these colors in their pure form, and they significantly improve plant photosynthesis.

The basis for effective phyto-lighting in this way is LED lamps. For seedlings, it is best to use certified products. You need to buy such devices only in stores where you can require an official document. Experts note that phyto-lamps for seedlings are the most progressive method of supplementary lighting. Reviews of many summer residents say that using this technology, you can combine spectra for any culture. Varieties of LEDs great amount... This allows the desired radiations to be combined.

The indisputable advantage of this innovative technology is the economy and the ability to create illumination of seedlings with LED lamps with your own hands. To do this, you need to buy a base - special phyto-LEDs or ready-made devices (E27), and a power supply (driver). You also need a cable with a cross-section of at least 0.75, for three cores, a base (if ready-made lamps are used), and a plug for connecting to the power network. Such lighting is done very simply. It is necessary to connect all components to one circuit by soldering with a soldering iron and insulate the exposed areas with electrical tape.

It is recommended, for more effective illumination of seedlings with LED lamps and concentration of radiation, to make a small box of cone-shaped plywood, and cover the walls with reflective material (foil, nickel-plated metal plates). Supplementing seedlings with LED phytolamps will help every summer resident to improve their quality and yield indicators in the future.

Fluorescent lamps. For seedlings, this type of lighting is considered the most common and affordable. They serve for a long time, and it is not difficult to replace them. They are in the form of a glass tube, the walls of which are covered from the inside with a ball of a special substance called a phosphor (phosphorus is its basis). It helps to convert energy into light rays. Inert gas argon and a small part of mercury are pumped inside under high pressure, which, when heated, creates vapors that are hazardous to human health. That is why fluorescent lamps for seedlings after working off should not be broken or opened. They are sent to specialized enterprises for the processing and disposal of hazardous compounds.

It should be noted that such devices in everyday life are called sources of warm light. They emit a wide range of colors, but the main color is ultraviolet, which is so necessary for many plants. Therefore, they are very often chosen by summer residents for additional cutting of young plants.

The advantage of fluorescent lamps is their size. The different lengths allow you to choose the right light for your seedlings. At home, use short and medium. They can be installed on windowsills or suspended from the ceiling. Trays are usually built under them so that there is enough light emission. DIY lamps for seedlings can be mounted from plywood or fiberboard plates. This will save money on the purchase of ready-made fixtures. A hand-made device in terms of functionality is not inferior to production counterparts. To improve the quality of the scattering of rays, the inner part is covered with a foil ball.

Daylight fixtures have simple designs. Many people are interested in the question - how to make a lamp for seedlings? It is enough to prepare all the ingredients:

  • Measure and lay out the material so that the lamp of the selected length fits there.
  • The sides of the box should be trapezoidal, and the luminaire body itself should resemble a cut cone. All parts can be fixed with wood glue or small metal corners.
  • When the box is mounted, plinths and starters are attached to the sides with screws or super glue. The power supply can be installed on the roof of the luminaire.
  • The inner surface should be covered with foil paper or clean foil. You can use food foil for this.
  • When the whole structure is ready, it is necessary to equip it with a cable with a plug for mains supply. After that, you can use it for its intended purpose.

It is necessary to install fluorescent lamps for additional illumination of seedlings at a height of 25-40 cm above the surface with placed trays. The distance must be adjusted, therefore it is recommended to make hangers for lamps from flexible material... For this, many summer residents choose metal chains, which are easy to control and adjust the height.

It should be noted. If it is not possible to make suspensions from the ceiling, you can use wood or metal stands. Making them is also not very difficult.

Lamps are widely used to illuminate “daylight” seedlings in large greenhouses and greenhouses of agricultural enterprises, for which the cultivation of young seedlings and garden crops is listed as a business. They allow you to cover quite large areas, providing the necessary light for many young plants. They are mounted very easily among themselves. You can buy ready-made luminaires with built-in fluorescent lamps. Some factories use custom-made luminaires that are tailored to the ergonomics of industrial premises and best provide young plants with the necessary light.

Sodium lamps. Some of the safest for the eyes and human health, they are used for supplementary lighting of seedlings, both at home and on an industrial scale (large greenhouses). Sodium lamps are best suited for supplementary lighting of seedlings with a power of no more than 100 watts. They emit mainly the red-orange spectrum of light. It is necessary for plants during the period of flowering and the appearance of ovaries. They are very economical and serve for a long time for the benefit of the dacha economy.

It should be noted that it is possible to increase the efficiency when using sodium lamps (HPS) by including a capacitor in the circuit.

The structure of the device is very complex. It consists of a base, a glass bottle and a burner (a cylindrical discharge tube). Inside the glass container are vapors of mercury and sodium, which are ignited by creating an arc. When the sodium vapor is heated with the xenon firing gas, a high pressure is created. The result of this process is the emission of orange or golden-white hues.

The lamps are launched under the activation of an electromagnetic or electronic starter. An IZU (Pulse Kindling Device), which is sold with the appliance, can also be used. Due to the relative bulkiness, many summer residents refuse sodium lamps, but they are very effective when illuminating seedlings.

Energy saving lamps for illumination of seedlings

Modern trends in the field of agrotechnical sphere allow the use of energy-saving lamps for growing seedlings. At home, they use ordinary household lamps or create a special box with built-in plinths.

It should be noted that the main advantage of this technology is bispectrality (the possibility of choosing and combining several types of lamps to ensure the emission of the required spectrum colors). Thus, you can provide the plant with the following sources:

  • Daytime... Ultraviolet radiation is necessary to illuminate plants throughout the entire period of development. It is also used as supplementary lighting for seedlings at any time of the day.
  • Warm(Red). Indispensable during the active flowering phase.
  • Cold(blue). The colors of this spectrum are required for initial stage plant development - seed germination and the appearance of the first shoots.

Induction devices are one of the most effective energy-saving technologies for supplementary lighting of seedlings.

Induction lamps ... You can often hear the question of which lamp is best for growing seedlings? More recently, another technology for supplemental illumination of young plants has appeared - induction (gas ionization using electromagnetic radiation). The light source is plasma, which is created by magnetic induction. Such devices can be considered one of the most advanced, since they emit two of the most popular colors from the spectrum (blue and red). They are also called bispectral (bicolor seedling lamp). In addition, induction lights can heat up to 70 ° C. This advantage helps to provide warmth to the plants.

The choice of lighting technology for plants is a very important component of the quality growth and development of young plants. Seedlings develop faster under a lamp, especially during periods of short winter days or when there is a lack of daylight in greenhouses.

Principles of placement of lamps for seedlings

There are several rules for installing one or another type of seedling lamp. Lighting of plants should be carried out in such a way that it does not harm them, but, on the contrary, helps. What to do and what to look for the most when installing lamps:

  1. Do not install seedling lighting from the sides of trays or containers. This can affect the evenness of the stems. All plants are drawn to the light, therefore, with lateral artificial lighting, they can deform, bend, bend. If the lighting has already been mounted in this way, it is necessary to remove it and reinstall it so that the light is at the top.
  2. It is not allowed to install light sources far from the seedlings. Elongated stems and pale leaves are a sign of not keeping the distance (exceeding). In this case, it is recommended to reduce this distance by about a third.
  3. It is also not recommended to install lamps too close. This can lead to burns on the surface of plant leaves. If such signs are found, it is necessary to immediately increase the distance between artificial light and seedlings.

It should be noted that each plant requires individual approach to the backlights. Only when the seedlings are developing correctly does this mean that the distance and type of lamps are selected correctly.

Which seedling lamp to choose? To do this, it is recommended to view a short overview of the most popular types of these devices from reliable manufacturers.

Seedling lamp overview

Today, many manufacturers create a large selection of lighting fixtures for finishing seedlings. LED lamps, for example, have been used quite recently, since this technology is only developing, but has already found its application in gardening. This innovative method has bispectarity properties, which makes it possible to provide plants with the influence of two spectra at once, which are so necessary for entry level development of a young sprout. What to buy a lamp for illumination of seedlings?

According to experts and experienced summer residents, the best light-emitting diode (LED) lamps are:

  • Philips... The world's leading manufacturer of lighting technology. Almost any device from this company can be suitable for supplementary lighting of seedlings. The best model is Philips MAS LEDtube.
  • Electrum... The Swiss brand is also represented in the seedling lighting market. Best lamp models: Electrum T8 24W G13 4000 (linear), 1.5W LC-4 GU 4 (capsule).
  • Bellson... A Chinese manufacturer that has conquered its share of the lighting market niche. The most best models: T8 LED G13 (linear lamp), LED G53, Industry E
  • STARLIGHT... Another leading manufacturer of lighting products in China. It offers its products in more than 40 countries around the world. The best for seedlings is next model: Eco LT8-1040,

Seedling LED lamps are very high quality, economical and durable. They are easy to install, so creating high-quality backlighting will not be difficult.

Among gas-discharge sodium lamps - Reflax for seedlings is the best solution... They stand out for the fact that they have a good effect on plants and do not irritate the eyes. You can equip your greenhouse or a place in the house that is allocated for seedlings with them without much difficulty with your own hands. The bulbs are screwed into a regular base. The only drawback is that they require a Pulse Igniter, which is sold in the kit, to start them. You can buy Reflax seedling lamps at any lighting store. Many people are interested in the price of such lighting sources. It should be noted that the price of a lamp for Reflax seedlings is about 7,500 rubles.

A German manufacturer, Osram, is also engaged in the production of sodium devices, which provides an opportunity to purchase the best way the device is a Plantastar 600W sodium lamp with an E40 base.

Among the fluorescent lamps there are also leaders. One of the best is the 18-watt Fluora. This seedling growing lamp, available online, has worked well for many international exhibitions and forums. For additional illumination of plants, it is enough to install two such lamps on 1 m 2. It is one of the best in its niche market. The Flora lamp for seedlings has received numerous reviews from summer residents and quality certificates from international experts.

Also phytoluminescent lamps from a manufacturer called PAULMANN use in great demand... Especially in the trend of the model from 40 to 100 watts. They do not heat up well and can last a long time.

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Seedling lamps - how to solve the problem of choice and which is better to buy?

Lack of sun causes slow growth in plants, poor development, therefore, lamps for seedlings are simply necessary during a short daylight period. Additional artificial light sources can solve the problems that arise when growing plants at home.

Lighting seedlings in the apartment - features

Natural sunlight plays a huge role in growing seedlings, especially at home. It is quite difficult to create a natural microclimate in an urban environment, therefore, the seedlings often stretch out, become stunted and painful.
To grow strong healthy seedlings, it is necessary to resort to an additional light source, using lamps for illumination.

It is necessary to illuminate at home correctly, based on the stage of development, the goals of cultivation and the state of the crops grown, therefore, when choosing a lamp, you need to focus on the color spectrum of lighting products.

Different intensity of luminescence has a certain color temperature, red (1400-1600 K), green (3700-4000 K), blue (more than 6700 K). There are also spectra that our vision does not capture - infrared, ultraviolet.

The peculiarity of lighting seedlings at home on a windowsill or shelf is that during a certain growing season, plants have a strong sensitivity to some colors, while they react to others less intensely. For each crop, you need to choose a different lamp in order to succeed in growing.

in the photo - supplementary lighting with fluorescent lamps

Red and blue (cyan) spectrum in lamps perfectly stimulate metabolic processes of life, as a result, the production of chlorophyll increases, photosynthesis and development are accelerated. Orange light necessary at the time of fruiting (often lamps with such light are used in winter greenhouses to accelerate the ripening of fruits). Yellow and green spectra are reflected by seedlings, but are necessary during the growth period (all colors are present in natural light).

Ultraviolet light very useful, has bactericidal action, suppressing the growth and reproduction of pathogenic microbes, bacteria, fungi, etc. When using ultraviolet lamps, remember that too much does not mean "good", an overabundance of ultraviolet rays can cause the opposite effect.

Illumination of plants with fluorescent lamps

What kind of seedling lamp is needed to grow sturdy plants? Correct lighting begins with the choice of a light bulb. Luminescent lighting devices have different quality parameters, a fairly wide range of temperature color (2800 K-7600 K). You can buy a fluorescent lamp from domestic and foreign manufacturers; well-known firms Osram, Sylvania, Uniel and others are widely represented on the market.

in the photo - illumination of seedlings with fluorescent lamps

Lighting quite often used by summer residents and gardeners for highlighting, but fluorescent lamps have some disadvantages:

  • a sufficiently long lamp length, which creates inconvenience when lighting on narrow window sills;
  • light is scattered in all directions, it is necessary to install reflectors in the upper, side parts of the structure;
  • the power of the fluorescent lamp for seedlings must be more than 40 W;
  • temperature spectral waves of red color are not enough for full development when growing for seedlings.

To obtain sufficient illumination, it is necessary to maintain a distance of fifteen to thirty-five centimeters (from the plants to the lamp). When placed on large wide window sills, the illumination should be carried out with two fluorescent lamps with a power of 40 watts or more.

LED backlight bulbs

They have many advantages over other artificial light sources. Big choice models opens up wide opportunities for growing seedlings on a windowsill, in a greenhouse, greenhouses, etc., you just need to choose the right LED power, suitable for lighting in specific conditions. In large greenhouses where vegetables and other crops are cultivated for sale all year round, you can't do without LED lamps.

in the photo - LED lamp for illuminating seedlings

LED products, as well as phytolamps, are equipped with red and blue flowers... The blue spectrum accelerates the growth of the root system, the red one affects the development of the leaf part and enhances growth. The disadvantage of LED lamps is their cost, which is noticeably higher in comparison with conventional lighting devices.

The advantage of expensive diodes is less energy consumption, electricity is saved at maximum performance. LED lamps have a fairly long service life, at least 10 years of continuous glow (according to manufacturers' assurances).

Sodium lamps at home

Sodium lamps are gas-discharge lamps and are considered the best in terms of brightness. These lighting products are widely used for illumination of crops, illumination of industries, warehouses, streets. Sodium light bulbs are divided into two types, high and low pressure, namely lamps high pressure used for supplementary lighting of seedlings at home.

in the photo - sodium lamps for seedlings

It is advisable to use NLVD for grown plants and during fruiting. In the early stages (sowing, growing seedlings), the use of sodium lamps does not always have the desired effect - the plants grow faster than usual, stretch out. NLVD is characterized by the return of heat, which is so necessary for plants, especially those growing in winter greenhouses, hotbeds.

The disadvantage of NLVD is strong heating and unsafe use (mercury with a mixture of sodium is used in the production of lamps). It is not recommended to turn on the luminaires when the voltage is unstable, when the fluctuations are more than 10%. In cold, damp weather, the efficiency of sodium devices decreases, which is a disadvantage when used in unheated greenhouses.