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Artificial lighting will only benefit seedlings if the light source is chosen correctly. Natural light is the most beneficial for plants, but in early spring it is not enough. Used for additional lighting seedling lamp must emit two important spectrums: blue and red. It is these colors that are absorbed by plants and affect their development.
The influence of different light spectra on plant development
Outside, green vegetation develops under sunlight. Waves of different colors and lengths are partially visible to human vision, but all color spectrums are important for seedlings:
- The main role in the development of planting material is played by the red and blue light spectrum. The rays help the development of plant cells, the root system, and the production of chlorophyll.
- Orange light is responsible for the future fruiting of crops grown indoors.
- The yellow and green spectrum, which is completely reflected from the foliage of plants, is considered useless. However, these colors contain the sun's rays, which means they have little benefit.
- Ultraviolet radiation is harmful to all living things in large quantities.However, small doses of rays benefit the planting material. UV radiation is present in the sun's rays and destroys pathogens of fungal and viral diseases.
- Infrared rays are completely absorbed by plants. The seedlings become lush, green, juicy.
No artificial light source is capable of containing all spectra, 100% replacing the sun's rays. Typically, when organizing lighting, the emphasis is on red and blue. However, the best lamps for seedlings are considered to be those that are capable of emitting white light, as well as IR and UV rays, in addition to the two main spectra.
The best sources of artificial light for supplementary illumination of planting material
Even the most expensive lamps for illuminating seedlings cannot completely replace natural lighting. However, without artificial supplementary lighting it is impossible to grow full-fledged planting material. It is optimal when the lighting is combined with natural light. You can achieve such results by placing seedlings on a windowsill or in a glass greenhouse.
Lighting helps to grow planting material even in rooms without window openings. Under artificial supplementary lighting, crops grow in polar night conditions. However, one white, red or blue lamp for seedlings will not do any good. We need specialized light sources that emit the entire spectrum and beams of different lengths.
Sodium
Gas-discharge sodium lamps for growing seedlings come in several modifications. On sale there are models from the domestic manufacturer Reflax, as well as products from European brands. Gas discharge lamp for illumination of seedlings does not harm humans, which allows it to be used in greenhouses and living quarters.
If we focus on models from a domestic manufacturer, then a 70 W DNAZ will be suitable for indoor use. A special feature of the product is the presence of a mirror reflector on the glass bulb. The lamp is capable of providing high-quality illumination of seedlings on a 1.5 m wide window sill. The reflector creates a large projection angle of light rays and enhances them.
The analogue is DNAT, but the product differs in the absence of a mirror reflector. With the same power of 70 W, the light spot will cover only 1 m of area with planting material. Due to the small projection angle, one light bulb will have to be placed for every 1 m.
The considered positive and negative qualities of sodium light sources will help determine which lamps to use to illuminate seedlings.
Positive sides:
- radiation of a light spectrum suitable for plant development;
- long service life;
- low power consumption.
Negative sides:
- high price;
- a regulator is needed for the backlight;
- large dimensions.
Despite the radiation of the most suitable spectrum, there are not enough blue rays in the glow of a sodium light bulb.
Phytoluminescent
The specialized pink lamp for seedlings belongs to the line of fluorescent light sources. The glow is well perceived by plants, and all spectra are completely absorbed. Phytoluminescent light bulbs from different manufacturers differ in power and application features:
- Manufacturer Osram introduces a light source called Fluora. For 1 m2 of area with seedlings, use 2 phytolamps with a power of 18 W.
- The domestic light source LFU-30 is installed one per 1 m of the length of the shelf with seedlings. The power of the phytolamp is 30 W.
- The Enrich brand presented a phytolamp, the glow of which slightly harms vision. A plus is the presence of a mirror reflector. The downside is the short service life. At 60 W, a lot of heat is generated along with the light.
- Paulmann phytolamps have a long service life. The power of light sources varies between 40–100 W. The advantage is minimal heat generation.
The main advantage of phytoluminescent lamps is their low power consumption, compact size, long service life, and emission of a spectrum useful for seedlings.
The big disadvantage is the inability to use lighting in a living room. The pink glow greatly irritates the organs of vision. It is better to install phytolamps in a greenhouse, non-residential room, or cover them with reflective screens.
Luminescent
A good energy-saving lamp for seedlings can be made from a fluorescent housekeeper. However, such a light source is inconvenient due to its small area coverage. It is better to hang long tubular models of two pieces above the shelves with planting material. The choice of this quantity is due to the low power of fluorescent lamps.Two tubes are placed from the tops of the seedlings at a distance of 15–35 cm.
The advantage of fluorescent tubes is their low cost, efficiency, and daylight emission. Disadvantage - they emit a small amount of the red light spectrum. Mercury vapor creates a danger to humans if the flask breaks.
LEDs and phytolamps
LED lamps for seedlings from a set of LEDs are considered the most economical and safe. You can even assemble the lighting yourself. You just need to buy red, blue and white LEDs, a power supply and solder a circuit from the parts.
It’s easier to give preference to a ready-made LED panel or use a strip. The second option is even more convenient. The LED strip is glued to any support above the planting material along the entire length of the shelf.
Dignity LED backlight in low power consumption, as well as high light emission with low heat generation. The disadvantage is the high cost of lamps, individual LEDs and power supplies.
If you choose LEDs, then bicolor lamps for seedlings will be the best choice. The phytolamp is an independent light source that is simply inserted into the socket. Lamps are produced with different types of bases, as well as differing in power and shape.
Depending on the LEDs used, phytolamps are divided into three groups:
- The red and blue spectrum is emitted by a bicolor lamp for seedlings, which affects the process of photosynthesis. Light wavelength – 660 and 450 Nm. The direct purpose of the phytolamp is to illuminate young vegetation grown in any conditions.
- The multispectrum phytolamp is distinguished by the presence of additional spectra. Added white glow, as well as high-range red light. Emission of an optimal set of light spectra stimulates the formation of inflorescences and fruiting in adult plants. Phytolamps are suitable for greenhouses and illumination of indoor flowers when there is a lack of sunlight. Far red light shines through the dense foliage. Multispectrum phytolamps are good for illuminating plants at high planting densities.
- Phytolamps have a wide range - full spectrum. They produce light sources with a power of 15 and 36 W. The lamp is considered universal, but the bicolor model is inferior in terms of efficiency and spectrum peaks. The emitted artificial light is close to natural light in terms of performance. Phytolamps are used to illuminate crops in a dark room throughout the entire growing season - from sowing to harvesting.
When the question arises, which lamp is better to illuminate seedlings, preference is given to a bicolor light source.
Induction
Induction lamps are still little used in everyday life, but are considered an excellent option for artificial supplementary lighting. A special feature is the radiation of two spectra - blue and red. The advantage of light bulbs is their efficiency and versatility of the light spectrum, suitable for all types of seedlings. Maximum heating temperature during glowing – 75OWITH.
Lack of illumination with a conventional incandescent lamp
Novice vegetable growers are interested in the question of whether it is possible to illuminate seedlings with a regular lamp with a tungsten filament. It cannot be used as an independent source of lighting. A tungsten spiral transforms only 5% of the energy into creating a luminous flux.The yellow-orange glow is not absorbed by plants. The large amount of heat released overheats the plants and burns the leaves. If necessary, the temperature of the bulb can be raised in conjunction with other light sources.
The video shows lamps for illumination:
Lighting must be effective, economical and safe. Lamps are selected based on this principle.
