Plants need light to grow and develop. In winter, the sufficient amount of sunlight is often missing, which leads to many plants not growing properly or even dying. Therefore, plants, especially those species that need a lot of light, must be artificially illuminated in the winter so that they can continue to thrive. Plant lighting stimulates the production of chlorophyll and thus growth. So lighting with special plant lamps helps plants grow, form flowers, as well as ripen fruit. Not only in the apartment, but also in the greenhouse, artificial plant lighting is useful in winter.
When winter is over, plant lights don't have to gather dust in the closet. They can also be used all year-round, for example, if you are growing plants indoors where the natural sun is not enough. When growing plants, artificial lighting has a supportive effect. The small plants thrive better and faster with it. It is best to use an LED plant light. Why this is the best choice, we will explain below.
The advantages of LED plant lights
Probably the most popular and widespread type of plant lighting are LED plant lights. And there are many good reasons for that:
- 1. The light is very consistent.
- 2. LEDs are particularly energy-saving. So you provide your plants with light permanently, without having to fear a high electricity bill.
- 3. The LED lights generate little unnecessary heat. So you can place them close to the plants without burning them.
- 4. LEDs have a long life span.
With our "Florabooster" LED plant lights, your plants will get the optimal light spectrum. This allows your plants to develop and thrive. The high light intensity and the tuned wavelengths of the light promote chlorophyll production and thus photosynthesis. Your plants will get stronger and healthier leaves and shoots in a short time.
Are there any alternatives to LED plant lights?
A popular and affordable alternative to LED plant lights are sodium vapor lamps. They give off a very bright light that is great for some types of plants. However, the big disadvantage of sodium vapor lamps is the high energy loss due to a strong heat generation. The heat generation is so great that sufficient distance must be kept from the plants and care must be taken to cool the environment. In addition, they are not as durable and consume significantly more electricity than LED lamps.
Another alternative are daylight lamps which, as the name suggests, imitate the daylight of the sun. Therefore, in theory, they can also be used as plant lights. However, you should keep in mind that these lamps are not specifically designed to be used as plant lights. Therefore, illuminating plants with them may not have the desired effect or may have little effect. Most daylight lamps have a very high blue content. This short wavelength light encourages vegetation, but it can also result in somewhat yellowish or brownish leaves. The amount of light can also be too low, which can slow plant growth. In addition, daylight lamps are very expensive to purchase.
How do I use plant lights correctly?
The right light intensity and duration of plant lighting.
Plants generally require less light in the winter because they produce less chlorophyll during this time. However, the right amount of light depends on the plant species. Most plants need at least eight hours of light per day to thrive. On average, however, your plants should receive up to 16 hours of light per day. In winter, you can reduce the lighting time to 12 to 14 hours. The traditional day-night cycle, which is important for plants, can be simulated with a timer. Keep in mind that not all plants have the same light requirements. Therefore, base the duration and intensity of lighting on the individual needs of your plants. Depending on the species, they may need more or less light.
How can I tell that my plant needs more light?
If the plant is small and dark green, this indicates that it is not getting enough light. Yellow leaves also indicate that the plant lacks light. In extreme cases, the leaves even turn brown and fall off. The so-called rapid growth of the plant is also an indication that the plant does not get enough light. In this case, the plants grow quickly and unilaterally. In this way, they try to get to places where there is sufficient light.
How can I tell that my plant is getting too much light?
You can tell that a plant is getting too much light by the fact that it becomes a little more yellowish, the leaves are smaller and the stems are longer. Also a sign of too much light are faded spots and fading or brownish leaves. The plants may even wither if they get too much light.
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