What To Look for in Lights For Your Greenhouse
If you're just starting out with a greenhouse, it's important that you make the right choices in lighting. Proper lighting is crucial in order for a plant to flourish. Choosing the right kind of light will ensure that your plants grow quickly and remain healthy. If you need some help figuring out your best options in greenhouse lighting, here are some tips that will help you make the right choice.
1. The first thing you need to do is figure out the amount of light you will require. The factors you need to consider are the type of plants you're going to raise, and the size of your greenhouse. Tall plants, fruit and flowers need more light than other plants. An outdoor greenhouse will typically use 25 watts per square foot. But an indoor greenhouse will need twice as much light or more.
2. The type of light you choose must be appropriate for the kind of plants you're raising. Something that impacts plant growth to a great extent is the kind of light waves that are given off. High pressure sodium lights, for example, are the best if you're growing flowers and fruit. These give off red light waves which are beneficial for encouraging growth hormones in plants. Metal halide lights utilize the blue spectrum and are best suited to leafy plants.
3. The lighting system shouldn't be too hot for your plants to handle. Too much heat can kill them. Some lights release a lot of heat when they're running. For instance, incandescent lighting gives off a lot of heat. They're not a great option anyway, because the light they give off isn't enough for most plants to thrive. Fluorescent grow lights, on the other hand, produce much less heat. Before you buy, take some time to figure out the amount of heat that each style of lighting will give off.
4. Use lighting that will produce good results without consuming massive amounts of energy. The most energy efficient greenhouse lights you can buy are known as high intensity discharge. However, they also cost the most money to buy. Another option is LCD grow lamps, which are a popular choice due to their high energy efficiency. They also produce lower levels of heat.
Regardless of the type of greenhouse lighting you choose, it's important that it not be left on all the time. Lighting should only be used where and when it is needed. For optimal growth, plants need a certain amount of darkness. Leave the lights off for 6 to 12 hours each day in your garden greenhouse, depending on what kind of plants you have.
