As indoor gardening becomes more popular these days, one of the essential reasons for its success is the use of grow lights. These artificial sources of light are crucial for the environment, especially where natural sunlight is insufficient. Whether you prepare herbs in the kitchen or manage indoor gardening, grow lights play a significant role.
Hanging grow lights might seem more accessible work, but various aspects should be considered before hanging grow lights. In your indoor garden, this type of light gives you the best way to enhance plant health and yields. It helps you to determine how far away your lights need to be positioned according to different plant growth stages. If you want to know how to buy HPS light, firstly, you need to know more about grow light:
- Grow lights act as sunlight that plants use to carry out photosynthesis, a process in which plants convert light into chemical light to increase their growth. Different lights have different coverage and spectrums that directly impact the plant’s health. Natural light has a full spectrum and coverage light that is not equally useful for every plant. Plants need different light at various stages of the growth cycle.
Regulate light spectrum, coverage and intensity: Every Grow light has a different spectrum and light coverage. The manufacturer of grow light specifies typical PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) and PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density). PAR is measured in nanometers, and PPFD is measured in micromoles. Both are essential for lighting conditions. Before you buy grow lights, you need to consider that the PAR and PPFD work together to create ideal lighting conditions for fruitful plant yield.
Why PAR and PPFD are necessary to influence different growth stages:
PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) describes the wavelength of light on the light spectrum from 400 to 700 nanometers. It indicates the quality and effectiveness of the light spectrum for plant growth, which is a key metric of horticulture lightning.
- PAR range of light spectrum includes:
BLUE LIGHT: It promotes vegetative growth and the overall health of plants. This light is essential during the early stages of plant life, including the vegetative stages. It ranges from (400-500) nanometers.
GREEN LIGHT: It plays an important role in plant development but is less efficient than red and blue light. It is also needed during the early stages of plant life, like blue light. It ranges from (500-570) nanometers. It promotes the overall quality of light.
YELLOW LIGHT: It is not the primary driver for photosynthesis. It contributes to the natural light spectrum, supports overall health, and complements blue and red light. It ranges from (570-590) nanometers.
RED LIGHT: Red light is vital for fruiting and flowering stages. Lack of red light may impact the overall quality. It helps in plant reproductive processes and bud development. It ranges from (600-700) nanometers.
Different grow lights have different PAR: There are so many grow lights in the market, so it is important to familiarise yourself before you decide to buy grow lights:
- Light emitting diode Grow lights: LED lights are available in full or customized spectrums. It is the best choice for all the growth stages plants because the full spectrum of LED lights produces the entire PAR range of wavelength.
- HPS lights: High-pressure sodium lamps are a type of high-intensity discharge lamp (HID). Typically, these lights have red and yellow wavelengths. If you want to use it for the flowering stage, then buy HPS lights. It is a better choice for healthy yield.
- Metal halide lights: Metal halide lights are perfect for vegetative stages; they primarily have blue wavelengths.
- CDM lights: Ceramic Discharge Metal halide lights, also known as CHM lights, produce a broad spectrum, including red and blue wavelengths.
PPFD (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density)
It measures the intensity of light that plants receive from the PAR spectrum. It is a key metric in indoor horticulture. It is expressed in micromoles per metre per second.
- Every growth stage is different, and every stage has different PPFD requirements for optimal development:
- SEEDLINGS: Require a lower PPDF of 100-300 micromoles per metre per second.
- VEGETATIVE STAGE: It requires a medium PPDF of 400-600 micromoles per metre per second.
- FLOWERING STAGE: this requires a higher PPDF of 600-900 micromoles per metre per second. At this stage, if the plant does not receive sufficient PPDF, both yield and quality can be affected.
Grow lights are essential for those interested in indoor horticulture and want to buy grow lights in the UK. Interested people should contact Bayton Horticulture Centre for diverse products and want to elevate their gardening experience.
