Sylvania Ballast

A growth of light , which is actually an electric lamp usually is vitally important for plants because it ensures that the process of photosynthesis radiation electromagnetic spectrum, which resembles sunlight. Thus, using light to grow, a gardener creates conditions outdoors and inside the house. However, the sun is blue, as it has high color temperature and, therefore rendering index is generally used to check if the light grow is very similar to sunlight.

May the light spectrum is better for plants

Spectrum of light plants need, depends on the stage of plant growth. For example, vegetative stage needs blue light spectrum, while the stage of flowering plants requires spectrum red-orange. A gardener can buy a specific spectrum of light bulb, or there are universal full spectrum lights adapted to different growth stages (eg, those made by Sylvania Grolux).

For best results light should be provided with a reflector and an electrical ballast to regulate and increase emissions of light and current. This is done to make the artificial light, as much as possible similar to natural light.

Types of Lighting

high pressure sodium (HPS / SON) and metal halide (MH) lamps are currently the most popular and frequently used in gardening professionals inside. They belong to discharge lamps, high intensity. Metal halide lamps are used primarily for training (vegetative) growth stage of plants because they emit blue light with ultraviolet radiation, which causes the increased production of plant matter, which improves and strengthen them.

Reproduction or flowering stage of plant growth requires the use of high pressure sodium lamps, because they hasten the rate of growth. They are not suitable for the vegetative stage that this would result in the rapid growth of plants too high. Nevertheless, both types of bulbs are sometimes used by gardeners to different stages of plant growth with the appropriate additional spectrum red light bulbs and metal halide attached to the blue spectrum high pressure sodium lamps

Incandescent Grow

Growth Incandescent lamps are used only to emphasize and highlight groups of plants grown indoors , as they have yellowish-red spectrum and low color temperature (2700 ° K). They are never used as grow lights. The life of incandescent lamps to grow by about 750 hours. In addition, this type of lamp uses more energy than other types, and most of the energy consumed is converted into heat, not light. Higher temperatures around plants can lead to increased invasion of pests and insects, therefore, these lights are not the best options for use in indoor gardening.