Hanging indoor lights is an optimal way to provide sufficient Light to your indoor plants. Hanging the grow lights may seem an easy task, but it requires an understanding of several aspects, such as the type of Light, spectrum, coverage, and intensity. Read on to learn about the correct way to hang your grow LightLight to ensure healthy plant growth.
Determiner Light Spectrum, Coverage and Intensity
The intensity, spectrum and light coverage can vary from different types of grow lights. It’s essential to know about all these aspects to ensure the best positioning of your LightLight and provide adequate lighting for optimal plant growth. Shop high-quality flowering boosters with Bayton Horticulture Centre, but before you invest and hang your grow LightLight, learn about how PAR and PPFD work in unison to create ideal lighting conditions for your plants. Let’s dive into the importance of PAR and PPFD and their impact on different phases of plants.
What is PAR?
PAR, or Photosynthetically Active Radiation, refers to the range of wavelengths of Light on the light spectrum from 400 to 700 nanometers nm. This metric in the cultivation of plants defines the quality and effectiveness of the light spectrum for plant growth.
The range of the Light Spectrum Includes:
Blue LightLight: (400-500 nm):
Blue Light is ideal for the growth of vegetation and overall plant health. It ensures optimal regulation of chlorophyll production, strengthening the core structure of plants and inducing strong leaf development. Along with adequate lighting, incorporating base nutrients enhances overall plant growth.
Green Light (500-570 nm):
Green Light supports the development of plants, but in comparison to blue and red Light, it is less efficient in photosynthesis. Green Light reaches the base of the plants to the lower leaves to promote even growth.
Yellow LightLight (570-590 nm0
Yellow LightLight promotes a well-rounded natural spectrum even though it does not primarily drive photosynthesis. It supports healthy plant growth and enhances plant colour.
Red Light (600-700 nm):
Red Light is ideal for boosting the growth of flowers and fruits. Inadequate lighting for plants during the flowering and fruiting phases may impact the size, taste, smell, and overall quality of the produce. It effectively contributes to bud development and stimulates plant reproductive processes.
Far Red Light (700-800 nm):
This LightLight is not part of the PAR Light range, but it is important to know that it is essential for germination, shade avoidance and stem elongation.
Different Grow Lights have Different PARs.
Led Grow Lights:
These lights are available in both full and tailored spectrums. The entire PAR range of wavelengths can be acquired with the full spectrum LED lights.
High-Pressure Sodium Lamps:
This type of Light primarily emits yellow and red wavelengths, which are ideal for the growth of flowers but are not so compatible with vegetative stages.
Metal Halide Lights:
These lights primarily emit blue wavelengths, perfect for the vegetative phase.
Ceramic Discharge Metal Halide Spectrum (CDMs):
These lights produce a broad spectrum that includes red and blue wavelengths, which is suitable for both flowering and vegetative stages.
Fluorescent Lights:
These come in a range of colour temperatures, including red and blue. These types of lights are cost-effective and emit low heat through bulbs, but they are not as effective as full-spectrum LEDs.
What is PPFD?
PPFD, or Photosynthetic Flux Density, determines the intensity of Light emitted from the PAR spectrum to the plants. It can be measured with the help of a quantum sensor or using a PAR metre that helps to identify the number of photons present in the PAR range that are reaching the surface in one second.
The PPFD requirements vary in different growth stages to ensure the healthy and durable growth of plants at every stage.
- Seedings: This stage requires a low PPFD of about 100-300 µmol/m²/s.
- Vegetative Stage: Requires medium PPFD OF 400-600
- Flowering Stage: Requires a Higher PPFD of 600-900
Different grow lights have different PPFDs. Therefore, it is essential to choose the LightLight accordingly.
How does PAR and PPFD Influence How to Grow Lights?
The primary work of both PAR and PPFD is to provide adequate Light to the plant with the right intensity at different growing stages.
The different phases of plant growth require different wavelengths from the PAR range. This means you need to ensure that the LightLight is providing the necessary spectrum and is ready to fill any gaps in the PAR range by preparing supplement lighting. The optimal lighting allows you to position your Light at the right angle.
PPFD needs to be uniform throughout the growth space. It is the intensity of Light received by the plants that need to be adequate for optimal growth. Both these factors combine together to give you an ideal setup of lighting for your plants.
Gardening leads to an improved and healthy lifestyle. To get the best results of your cultivation, elevate your cultivation with Bayton Horticulture Centre and witness optimal plant growth.
