How to make artificial lighting for flowers. Lamps for seedlings: selection criteria

For successful growth and flowering, any plant requires the process of photosynthesis, that is, sufficient lighting.

IN winter period backlight required indoor plants through a decrease in sun intensity and short daylight hours.

There are species adapted to exist in a room environment without additional artificial lighting. But there are not so many shade-tolerant flowers.

Standard option, suitable for most indoor plants - west and east facing.

In most cases, such an arrangement, even on a windowsill, does not require shading from direct lines. sun rays, especially at lunchtime and at the same time sufficient lighting during the winter dormant period. But some flowers bloom under New Year without having a pronounced rest period.

It is for this reason that people buy such varieties, perhaps to fill the gaps in the winter, when everything around is gray and there is snow everywhere.

With insufficient lighting, your pets lose color, become dull, stretch out, and there is no flowering.

For successful flowering of certain varieties, it is necessary during the dormant period to be kept at low temperatures, but with plenty of light.

Often the lack of lighting does not depend on the intensity, but the mandatory presence of 10-12 hours a day daylight.

For artificial illumination of plants, install lamps various designs. We will discuss this in detail in this article.

How to determine sufficient lighting level?

The amount of luminous flux and illumination is measured by special devices in the units of “lumens” (Lm) and “luxes” (Lx), this is something similar to the power of a light bulb, measured in watts. That is, the light source (lamp brightness) is measured in “lumens”, and the intensity of the illuminated surface (in our case, plants) in “lux”.

The more watts, the more lumens and the more intense the lamp shines. Most people confuse these two values ​​and cannot figure it out when purchasing a product.

There are standards for one type or another, but practically no one owns or purchases this device. There is a way out, the plant itself will tell you whether it needs natural daylight, or should you install artificial light?

Required amount of light:

• 1000-3000 lux - shade-tolerant plants, as a rule, with a pronounced state of dormancy in winter.
• Up to 5000 Lux - enough natural light. Feature - the pot is placed on the windowsill to obtain greater light intensity.
• 5000-1000 and above - indoor flowers require additional artificial lighting.

There is an automatic timer with a light indicator, capable of automatically turning on the light with the required intensity and also turning it off under certain lighting conditions (manually adjusted). This will significantly save you on energy costs and eliminate additional worries.

All plants can be divided into groups based on their appearance and natural habitat.

Variegated species are always demanding on the intensity of sunlight and tolerate direct sunlight well.

Monochromatic species with wide leaf blades are less demanding and can grow in semi-shade. The darker the leaf color, the less light it will need for successful growth. The shoots are noticeably longer and thicker from light-loving plants.

Insufficient lighting will immediately affect appearance. The leaves turn pale, change color, and become dull. Variegated species immediately change color, the shoots stretch out, bend, and new leaves appear small. Sometimes the flower partially or completely sheds its foliage; the lower tier turns yellow with satisfactory watering.

In all plants, growth noticeably slows down, sometimes stopping altogether.

The distance between summer and winter nodes differs significantly.

Before purchasing, you always need to know whether the plant prefers sun or tolerates partial shade, whether you can provide enough light at home, based on your specific region.

In our encyclopedia of houseplants, on every page there is a brief description of with the column - lighting. By selecting any plant in alphabetical order, you will always and quickly find the information you need.

The need for lighting in winter

For the middle and southern strip of the former SND, some plants can grow without installing artificial fluorescent lamps under certain conditions.

• Placement relative to poles. Sometimes in winter it is enough to move the pot to the south side.
• Flowering and dormant period. The pronounced dormant period is from November to March. At this time, the flower does not need intense light, since growth slows down and the natural period of the day is sufficient. And, conversely, indoor pets that bloom in winter begin the growing season and active growth, the installation of lamps is mandatory in most cases. For example, an orchid growing on a windowsill in a warm winter climate with an east-south exposure will bloom on its own.
• Transitional species. For example, Saintpaulia does not require mandatory lighting, provided that the flowering intensity is average.
• Most variegated species need an increase in the portion of light, including ficus benjamina, aglaonema, and arrowroot.

Choosing lamps for plant lighting

There are two types of lamps: incandescent and gas-discharge (fluorescent).

We can immediately say that the second type is more economical in terms of energy consumption, which is very important for large rooms throughout the night.

Incandescent lamps operate from a regular network without additional equipment; gas-discharge lamps require a device to turn on. Among the second group, there are modern fluorescent lamps that allow you to use current directly from the network, but the price is several times higher than the same lamps. Let's look at it in more detail.

What is spectrum and how important is it?

Spectrum - the ability to emit a certain range of light waves. Unlike the human eye, plants do not absorb all rays, but only with a certain frequency of waves, blue and red.

Orange-red light is used to germinate seeds and serves as a catalyst for shoot growth.

Blue-violet promotes leaf development.

Photosynthesis requires a range with red waves. Under the influence, chlorophyll is produced, which promotes the metabolism of green mass.

Absence of blue color- leads to elongation of shoots and scarcity of leaves.

By choosing lamps with a certain spectrum, you can significantly speed up the growth and flowering of your pets.

Sometimes several types of lamps are combined together to create a full spectrum.

Incandescent lamps

This type has a tungsten spiral inside, placed in a vacuum and when current flows through it, it glows. These are ordinary lamps that everyone has in their home.

Such lamps are divided into several types: halogen and neodymium.

• Halogen - inside, along with the piercing spiral, there is gas to increase service life and brightness.
• Neodymium - the surface of the bulb is made of special glass capable of retaining part of the spectrum. Yellow and green light is absorbed, thereby increasing brightness. The glass contains neodymium. But in fact, the number of lumens (light output) has not increased.

There are a number of disadvantages that make incandescent lamps not suitable as additional lighting for plants.

• Incomplete spectrum, lack of blue and other colors.
• Compared to the power consumption, the light output is low, that is, the efficiency is very low (65 Lm/100 W).
• Due to strong heating, do not place it near flowers, otherwise burns will occur.
• Uneven lighting compared to linear gas-discharge lamps; you will need several pieces, which means additional power.
• The service life is not long.

In floriculture, splitting lamps are used for heating mini greenhouses and greenhouses, or together with fluorescent lamps, in the spectrum of which there is very little red color. They serve as a complement to the entire spectrum.

Fluorescent lamps

Lamps of this type may differ in shape, power, spectrum.

Criterias of choice :

• Efficiency is the amount of light output per power consumed.
• Full spectrum is extremely important for plants. Determined by the color rendering index Ra. The fullness of the spectrum significantly affects the growth of the flower. For plants, Ra must be at least 80 units.
• Flow stability.
• Lamp reliability and long service life.

The shape of the lamp is also important. For several pots at the same time, linear lamps are suitable. For small area Spiral or arcuate shapes are used.

Lamps with a three-band phosphor (the inner part of the walls are covered with 3 layers) have the highest light output and optimal spectrum.

A conventional fluorescent lamp has a high efficiency (60 Lm/W) and does not heat up, which makes it possible to install directly above the plant.

Usually the lamp is sold complete with a trigger mechanism; in the future, when replacing, only the combustible element is purchased.

There are two types of trigger mechanism: electromagnetic (throttle) and electronic.

The second one is more reliable and works stably, the flickering of the lamp is not visible. The kit includes brightness adjustment.

The light source is placed at a height of 30-50 cm, strictly above the plants.

Fluorescent lamps intended for flowers

There are specially designed lamps with the maximum transmitted spectrum for illuminating indoor plants. But the price can be tens of times higher than usual. The flask is coated with a special coating. Such lamps are produced by OSRAM-Sylvania, Philips, GE.

The benefits are much higher and will pay off over time.

Lamps with built-in balance

There are modern small lamps with a built-in balance.

The price is much cheaper, and in terms of quality and spectrum produced, they are not inferior to righteous foreign manufacturers.

They are produced with a standard base and are suitable for a regular household network, but the spectrum, unlike tubular fluorescent ones, is slightly different; the red and green colors are partially absent.

For several pots, light should be installed at a distance of 30 cm.

There are also modern compact fluorescent lamps, one or two tubular with a plural arrangement, which are distinguished by high luminous efficiency and power compared to their small dimensions, as well as an excellent spectrum.

Now LED lamps have appeared on the market. This is the most perfect option in terms of energy savings, light output (4-6 times higher than fluorescent), durability and heating (LEDs do not heat up). There are LED lamps with different emission spectrums. One drawback - they are still very expensive.

Alternative lamps for plant lighting

As a replacement for fluorescent lamps, an alternative is gas discharge lamps. There are three types: mercury, high pressure sodium and metal halide.

They are often used to illuminate a large number of plants; the minimum power is 300 watts.

Gas discharge lamps have the highest light output with small sizes and are able to cover a large area.
Will dwell in detail on each of the types.

• Metal halide. The most suitable of this line with an acceptable spectrum and high light output. The resource is several times higher than the above mentioned lamps.

They release them foreign manufacturers Philips (CDM), OSRAM (HCI), but the price is much higher than competitors.

The domestic product is produced under the DRI brand. The lamp requires a special socket.

• Sodium high pressure. Excellent light output per 1 watt, superior to red in the spectrum, promoting the formation of flowers and the development of the root system.

The lamps have a reflector, which further increases the illumination. From domestic producers: "Lighting engineering".

Resource up to 20,000 hours. Used for greenhouses and winter gardens with a power of 300, 500 watts and above.

Disadvantages: There is no blue color in the spectrum; it must be additionally alternated with other types.

• Mercury - the main advantage, a large amount of blue color. The oldest and most inefficient gas discharge lamps. Low light transmission. Produced by foreign manufacturers, OSRAM Floraset.

An important drawback: when broken, mercury vapor enters the air.

This is an outdated option for illuminating plants.

Perhaps this is all you need to know about lamps, their design, operating range of the spectrum, to independently produce artificial lighting for your plants.

Be sure to properly alternate day and night for successful growth and flowering of your pets.

If you supply the plant with everything it needs in a timely manner, it will definitely thank you. The main need of seedlings is optimal lighting, which can be provided using a number of lamps for additional illumination:

• incandescent lamps;
• fluorescent lamps (fluorescent);
• sodium lamps;
• induction technology;
• LED strips and lamps.

Before considering the advantages and disadvantages of each type, it is necessary to understand what kind of light a young seedling needs.

Features of additional lighting for seedlings

Natural sunlight combines waves different lengths. They are only partially visible to the human eye, but are fully perceived by plants. Spectral colors play their own special role at each stage of the growing season:

1. The red and blue parts of the spectrum promote the production of chlorophyll. This means that the seedlings, receiving these waves in the right amount, develops much faster.
2. The orange part of the spectrum is necessary for development in a closed space and for fruiting.
3. Green and yellow light reflected from the leaves, but still necessary as part of natural lighting.

The most useful lamps for young seedlings are those that can provide seedlings with red and blue colors of the spectrum. The optimal ratio of red and blue spectra is 3:1 or 2:1.

Are incandescent lamps suitable for seedlings?

It seems that it is enough to hang several incandescent lamps over the boxes with seedlings, and the plants will be happy. However, the lamps we are used to are far from the best option. Consuming electrical energy, such a lamp converts only 5% into light, and the rest turns into heat. Plants do not receive lighting, but heat baths, which best case scenario– dries out the ground part, in the worst case – leaves burns on the leaves.

Advice. Whatever type of lighting you choose, light screens will help you save energy. You can make them yourself by gluing foil or white cardboard to the sides of the seedling container.

Another disadvantage of incandescent lamps is the consumption of a large amount of electricity. And, of course, such lighting is not capable of providing seedlings with the blue and red spectrum.

Features of lighting with fluorescent lamps

Fluorescent lamps are actively used by many plant growers. They are accessible and easy to install. Hanging 2-3 such lamps over the seedlings is not difficult, and they will last a long time. The main advantages of lighting using fluorescent lamps:

• full range of colors;
• low power consumption;
• produces a small amount of heat;
• uniform, diffused light.

Disadvantages of this type of lighting:

• low power. At large quantities seedlings of 1-2 lamps will not be enough;
• insufficient amount of blue and red spectrum;
• When using fluorescent devices with mercury, you need to use them very carefully and dispose of them correctly.

Fluorescent lamps are placed at a height of 15-20 cm from the seedlings.

Advantages of sodium lamps

Sodium lamps are mainly used in farm and industrial greenhouses. Light sources with power from 70 to 100 W. They are also used at home, and one lamp is enough for a window sill up to 1.5 m wide.

Attention! Lamps with sodium lamps cannot be plugged into regular sockets without the use of special equipment, a choke and a pulse ignition device.

The advantages of using such lighting are:

• energy saving;
• Possibility of use in residential premises, because the lamp produces a soft, orange light that does not irritate the human eye;
• optimal number of red spectrum waves;
• durability.

Disadvantages of gas discharge lamps:

• the flasks are quite bulky and will not fit everywhere;
• lamps are quite expensive and do not pay for themselves when growing a small number of seedlings;
• do not emit blue spectrum waves;
• the need to use power regulators.

Induction lamps

Induction lamps are a new generation of lamps for greenhouses and for home use. Main advantages:

• high level of light output comparable to LEDs;
• red and blue spectrum of lighting;
• service life – 100,000 hours;
• minimum amount of energy consumed.

The only disadvantage of the application is the high cost of the lamps themselves - from 5-6 to 11-12 tr.

Leader in popularity – LED strips and lamps

Recently, vegetable growers are increasingly resorting to the use of LED lamps. This technology for illuminating delicate seedlings has the largest number advantages compared to all of the above options:

• possibility to vary required amount red and blue LEDs in different phases of seedling development;
• the low price of LEDs more than pays for itself after the first harvest;
• lamps consume a minimum and release maximum energy. They are very economical;
• small dimensions. Unlike long fluorescent and bulky sodium lamps, LED lamps take up minimal space.
• You can buy a ready-made LED lamp (more expensive), or quickly make it yourself using an LED strip.

Attention! After the first greenery appears, it is optimal to use more blue. Then turn on the red LEDs (2 red to 1 blue). After the 1st pick, you need to reduce the lighting intensity. Then apply red and blue colors in a 1:1 ratio.

Such lamps are considered innovative, at the same time, they have been repeatedly tested by practitioners and are among the most effective.

Having analyzed all the available information, we can conclude that LED lamps are the leaders in three positions. Firstly, they have the optimal amount of red and blue flowers, which can be changed depending on the growing season. Secondly, LEDs are most convenient to use in houses and apartments where there may be limited space. Thirdly, LED lamps are the most economical option.

How to choose a lamp for seedlings - video

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Winter is an unfavorable period for indoor plants. Daylight hours are reduced to a minimum, and the weather is not encouraging with sunny days.

Under these conditions, photosynthesis, the basis of the life of a green cell, slows down and our “darlings in pots” barely survive until summer.

You can’t dream of growing strong seedlings during this period if you don’t take care of artificial lighting of the beds.

We will talk about how to help plants avoid sun starvation, and what innovations in this area modern lighting technology offers in this article.

Which artificial light is better?

It is possible to provide plants with the photon flux necessary for normal development using artificial light sources. At the end of the last century, the answer to the question of which lamp for plants was better was answered simply. There were only two types of lighting devices: incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps. The former are not suitable for indoor greenhouses and growing seedlings. Their radiation spectrum is far from solar, and most of the energy (95%) is spent on generating heat.

Fluorescent lamps are more profitable in this regard. They are several times more economical and create a more powerful luminous flux per kilowatt of energy consumed. The spectral composition of their radiation is close to that of the sun. For this reason they are called "fluorescent lamps".

Today, choosing a lamp for illuminating seedlings is not easy, since the market has been replenished with new types of lamps. Despite the significant difference in design, all these devices are called phytolamps.

How is a phytolamp fundamentally different from traditional sources of artificial light? The fact that it generates photons not in a wide, but in a narrow color range, most favorable for photosynthesis.

It has been experimentally established that the blue spectrum of study stimulates the growth of plants, and the red one brings the beginning of their flowering closer and accelerates the ripening of fruits (graph No. 1).

Schedule. No. 1 Two peaks of activity (blue and red) on the spectral characteristics of phytolamps - zones of maximum absorption of light energy by chlorophyll

Phytolamps for seedlings are designed in such a way that they do not create radiation (ultraviolet and infrared) harmful to green cells, but at the same time actively generate photons in the red and blue spectral regions.

Red phytolamps (their glow is visually perceived as pink) are designed to illuminate plants in the flowering and fruiting phase. Blue stimulates the growth of seedlings and the development of their root system. In the design of most phytolamps, blue and red glow are combined, which makes them universal sources of artificial light.

To obtain strong seedlings and successful wintering of indoor plants, you need to know the rules for using these devices:

• The light should be directed similarly to the sun (from top to bottom).
• The optimal distance from the phytolamp to the plants is 25-40 cm.
• To illuminate 1 m2, the power of the device must be at least 70 W.
• In winter, the natural duration of daylight hours must be increased by artificial lighting by 4-5 hours.
• For the first 3-4 days after germination, seedlings need round-the-clock lighting. After this, the duration of the backlight for it is reduced (first to 16, and then to 14 hours a day).

Types of phytolamps

As we have already said, fluorescent lamps began to be used earlier than others to illuminate indoor plants and seedlings. Today, manufacturers have learned to change their luminescence spectrum in the range optimal for photosynthesis.

The positive qualities of these devices are not high price, high light output and energy efficiency. TO weaknesses This may include a low resource (no more than 10,000 hours) and a rapid decrease in luminous intensity as the lamp ages. Considering this, this type It is most advantageous to install lighting devices in greenhouses for short-term (3-4 weeks) illumination of seedlings located over a large area.

Fluorescent phytolamps generate lilac-pink light. It is harmful to vision and can cause headaches. Therefore, in residential areas they should be used with a mirror reflective screen.

Energy-saving phytolamps (housekeepers)

A modern type of fluorescent lamps. They differ from their predecessors in their compact size, long service life (15,000 hours), the presence of a built-in choke and a convenient e27 “bulb” socket.

However, experienced gardeners are not happy with them. They prefer linear fluorescent phytolamps.

They explain their choice by the fact that housekeepers have lower light output due to the tightly twisted glass tube (self-darkening effect).

Sodium phytolamps

Economical, durable, characterized by high power and stable luminous flux. The orange-yellow glow they generate is beneficial to plants and does not irritate the eyes. Therefore, this type of lamps can be used not only in greenhouses, but also in apartments. For home use (additional lighting of seedlings and flowers on the windowsill), one lamp with a power of no more than 100 W is sufficient.

In rooms where there is no sunlight, sodium lamps are used together with fluorescent lamps (LB or LBT brands).

The disadvantages of this type of lamps include high cost ballasts. When using sodium lamps, you need to be careful, since their bulbs get very hot (up to +300C) and can explode if water drops hit the surface.

Induction lamps

The principle of operation is similar to luminescent ( electrical discharge V glass tube initiates the glow of the phosphor). They differ significantly in design. The induction lamp has no internal electrodes, which significantly increases its service life (at least 60,000 hours). In terms of a 12-hour operating mode, this is about 20 years.

The brightness of a lamp with an induction coil decreases minimally over time (about 5%). It is not afraid of power surges and does not flicker during operation. The absence of strong heating of the bulb allows you to place induction lamps in close proximity to the plants, increasing the lighting intensity.

Their color rendition is as close as possible to the spectrum of sunlight. Therefore, induction lamps can be used without combining with other sources of phytolight. The main disadvantage of these lamps is their high cost.

LED phytolamps

When creating phytolights, designers did not ignore LEDs. They have many important advantages. Consuming a minimum of energy, LEDs generate powerful radiation. Its spectral composition is selected quite simply (by installing a certain number of blue and red diodes).

LED lamps for plants differ from other phytolight sources in their long service life (about 50,000 hours) and stable radiation characteristics, which are little dependent on the period and operating conditions. The heating of the LED module is low, which eliminates the risk of burning plants. Compact placement in the same block with the ballast lamp, the use of a standard “bulb” base simplifies and reduces the cost of their use as lighting.

Main characteristics of lamps for plants

On the packaging of phytolamps, manufacturers indicate characteristics, many of which do not contain useful information for the user.

For example, consider the labeling of an induction phytolamp:

• Power 60 W.
• Luminous flux 4800 lm (lumens).
• Energy efficiency 30-40 lm/W.
• Color temperature 2000/7000K.
• Color rendering 80 Ra.
• Luminous flux stability 90%.
• Service life 100,000 hours.

Of the seven given characteristics, only one is needed to calculate illumination: luminous flux in lumens. Economic assessment The quality of the device can be determined by power, energy efficiency and service life. Color temperature and color rendering are quantities that do not apply to plants, but characterize the features of visual perception of the human eye.

For those who want to rack their brains by understanding the spectral characteristics of phytolight, manufacturers offer to evaluate another parameter - PAR. This is an indicator of the photosynthetically active radiation of the lamp. It indicates the proportion of radiation optimally absorbed by plants (in the blue and red spectra). We advise you not to complicate your life, but to trust trusted brands and buy their products.

Now let's answer the most important question: how many phytolamps will be required to create illumination sufficient for the normal development of garden seedlings and house plants. Most of our "green friends" require illumination levels of 8,000 lux (lx). Lamps indicate another value - luminous flux in lumens (lm). The relationship between them is simple: illumination is equal to the luminous flux divided by the surface area.

For example, let’s take the same induction phytolamp with a power of 60 Watts. It produces a light output of 4,800 lumens (lm). Let's say that we installed phytolights with a reflector at a height of 30 cm from the seedlings, as recommended by experts in home gardening. 30 centimeters of distance will reduce the power of the luminous flux by 1.3 times and it will be 4800/1.3 = 3,692 lm.

Now let's assume that the area of ​​the box with seedlings is 1 m2. To illuminate such a plantation you need 8,000 lux x 1.0 m2 = 8,000 lumens.

One induction lamp (60 W) with a reflector at a distance of 30 cm from the plants creates a light output of 3,692 lumens. It is not difficult to calculate the required number of lighting fixtures: 8,000 / 3,692 = 2.16. Round to the nearest whole number and get 2 lamps.

Manufacturers of phytolamps and lamps are trying to simplify the choice problem for customers. In the characteristics of their products they indicate the recommended lighting area in m2.

Approximate prices for phytolamps and lamps

The average cost (as of 2016) of the Osram Fluora 36 W fluorescent phytolamp, popular among gardeners, is 700-900 rubles. A lamp equipped with such a lamp can be purchased for 4,000-4,500 rubles.

A light-emitting diode lamp (LED) of the same power, designed to illuminate 1 m2, can be purchased for 2000-3300 rubles. Higher price of LED lamp in in this case is not an argument against its purchase, since for equivalent illumination of the same surface (1m2) you will have to buy 4 fluorescent lamps.

Since an LED lamp is more suitable for spot lighting, it is more profitable to buy a linear lamp for growing seedlings lighting fixture. An example is the sealed LED lamp Solntsedar-P Fito with a power of 40 W. Its estimated price is 6,400 rubles. With a length of 1.25 meters, it provides the necessary amount of light for seedlings on an area of ​​1 m2 (in complete darkness).

The average cost of a Reflux sodium phytolamp with a power of 70 W (5,700 lumens) is 1,000-1,200 rubles. For high-quality illumination of 1 m2 of seedlings, you will need two such lamps. Complete with a lamp, you can buy it for 5,000 rubles.

Approximate price induction lamp with a power of 80 W (6,500 lumens), equipped with a standard base (e27), is 5,300-6,200 rubles. Complete with a lamp, such a lamp can be purchased for 9,000 rubles.

Making a phyto-lamp with your own hands

A home craftsman can make a phytolamp for plants with his own hands. The easiest way to work with LEDs is to select them according to two parameters: color and power.

For assembly the simplest model homemade design You will need elements with a power of 3 Watts in the following proportion:

• blue – 4 pcs (light wavelength 445 nm);
• red – 10 pcs (660 nm);
• white – 1 piece;
• green – 1 pc.

The LEDs are mounted by gluing thermal paste onto an aluminum radiator plate. After installation, they are connected in series with wires using soldering and connected to a ballast (driver) suitable for the current strength.

On back side The radiator is secured with a fan from the computer system unit.

Seedlings of any plants require additional lighting. Lamps that emit ultraviolet light help out. They come in induction, halogen, sodium, and LED. In shape they are pipes, ribbons, spotlights. Read how to choose the right backlight.

Rules for choosing a lamp with ultraviolet radiation

Natural sunlight is important for plant growth and development. Without it, future seedlings become pale, lethargic, susceptible to illnesses and pests. To get strong, healthy seedlings, you need to make up for the lighting deficiency in time by choosing the appropriate lamp. Their range is large, and before buying a suitable device, it is worth considering:

• needs of young shoots;
• ergonomics of the lamp at home;
• savings opportunity and energy efficiency.

Supplemental lighting is very important for seedlings and young plants

It is impossible to completely replace the sun with artificial lighting. The gardener’s task in this case is to select a color spectrum as close as possible to natural radiation. In nature, the following sequence of colors is distinguished:

• infrared, invisible to humans - has bactericidal properties, promotes the development of lush green mass;
• red – optimizes chlorophyll production, stimulates germination, flowering, foliage development;
• orange – accelerates the process of fruit ripening;
• yellow and green - important as components of lighting, reflected from foliage;
• blue and dark blue - affect photosynthesis, root development, thanks to them the shoots do not stretch;
• ultraviolet, invisible to the human eye, helps fight diseases and promotes the development of the above-ground part of seedlings.

Each of visible to humans flowers correspond to their own temperature, which increases in ascending order. Minimum – for red, 1500 K, maximum – for violet, 8000 K. For good development seedlings need light with a temperature of 1500 and 6000-7000 K. Red and blue-blue correspond to these indicators. In the first few weeks, more blue is needed for reliable rooting of sprouts; after transplanting, an equal amount of both colors is required.

Attention! It is definitely not recommended to use traditional incandescent lamps for seedlings - those that are most often used for home lighting. 95% of the energy in them is transformed into heat, which can lead to overheating of the sprouts, their clarification, and also the occurrence of burns.

Characteristics of halogen, fluorescent and induction lamps

It is believed that halogen lamps are not the best option for illuminating seedlings. They are brighter than incandescent lamps, but they heat up less. Over time, their level of dedication decreases. At the same time, the use of halogen lamps is justified in cases where it is necessary to add red color - its temperature here is 3000 K, i.e. twice as much as usual.

Fluorescent lamps are more suitable for lighting seedlings. They are economical because they consume little electricity, do not heat the air and provide a lot of light. However, their spectrum contains virtually no red light. Therefore, their use is especially undesirable when germinating tomatoes, cucumbers and citrus fruits.

Fluorescent lamps

At the same time, fluorescent light sources contain a lot of blue and violet rays, which are useful for the development of roots. Another advantage is that you can choose a light bulb with any spectrum: warm, cold or daylight. Each of them has its own characteristics:

1. Warm – good during the flowering period.
2. Cold – necessary during the vegetative growth phase.
3. Daytime - used at any time, sometimes throughout the entire seedling growing cycle.

Advice. To illuminate seedlings, there are special phytoluminescent lamps, which differ long term service and efficiency. However, they emit an unnatural lilac pink color, therefore, using them in a living room - for example, on a windowsill - is undesirable.

Induction lamps also consume little energy, allowing you to save on electricity. At the same time, they have a fairly high light output. The most advanced are bispectral lamps that emit both red and blue colors. These lamps do not flicker and distribute light evenly.

Pros and cons of sodium lamps for seedlings

Very often, such lighting devices are used in greenhouses. They emit red-orange light, which has a beneficial effect on mature plants in the flowering and fruiting stages. Sodium lamps do not irritate the eyes, so they can be used at home. But for this you should choose a lamp with a power of up to 100 W.

Sodium lamp

Additional benefits of sodium lamps:

• economical energy consumption;
• effective use both in greenhouses and in small areas with seedlings;
• long service life.

Disadvantages include:

• relative bulkiness;
• absence of blue color in the spectrum;
• complex connection;
• the need for additional use of a control device.

Advice. You can increase the energy efficiency of a sodium lamp by using a capacitor when connecting.

Description of LED lamps for plants

Today this type of lighting is perhaps the most common. To the human eye, such radiation appears gloomy, but for plants its red-blue spectrum is optimal. LED LED lamps They are more expensive than others, but they have a number of advantages:

1. Economical.
2. Durability. Service life – up to 50 thousand hours.
3. Easy to repair - an LED that has become unusable can be replaced.
4. Quick turn on and flicker-free light.
5. Low heat – plants do not get burned.
6. Possibility of installing LEDs of different spectrum and power. This allows you to select the radiation required by seedlings in a specific period as correctly as possible. For example, if you need to add blue or red.
7. Small dimensions.

LED lamp

It is worth giving preference to a specific model, taking into account where the lighting will be located, for which crop seedlings and at what distance from the tops of the sprouts. Depending on the type of racks and the number of seedlings, you can choose a lamp of any shape. In stores you will find the following varieties:

• Pipe. Often used on a windowsill or in long narrow rows.
• Tablet (another name is phytopanel). Looks like a big square. Used by professional agronomists to illuminate seedlings on wide shelves.
• Single lamp. Most suitable option for additional lighting of a small number of sprouts at home.
• Spotlight. Cover a wider area compared to single lamps. At the same time, they work effectively at a great distance from the seedlings.
• Ribbon. It can be assembled in any order. Typically used for making DIY lighting yourself.

Phytopanel

1. The hotter the lamp gets, the higher it should be placed above the containers with seedlings. You can find out the temperature of the operating device from the description of its technical characteristics.
2. At different stages of development, plants need different lighting. For example, immediately after sowing, future seedlings need to be illuminated all day long. During this period, the blue-blue spectrum is useful. Next you need to add red.
3. Don't forget about individual approach for each crop - take into account the shade tolerance of the plants. The average length of daylight hours for vegetable sprouts is 12-13 hours. At the same time, tomatoes require 14-16 hours, cucumbers - 13-15 hours, white cabbage– 16 hours, peppers – 9-10 hours.
4. Reflectors and light screens, as well as reflectors, help to illuminate effectively and at the same time save energy. You can make them yourself. The easiest way is to put a kind of white shield on the windowsill - for example, made of matte cardboard. You can cover it with foil - everyone probably knows its reflective ability.

Monitor the behavior of plants in order to adjust the position of the lamp in time

Also pay attention to how the sprouts develop under the influence of additional artificial lighting, and make adjustments in time:

• the appearance of burns on the leaves is a sign of a low-lying phytolamp. Hang it higher;
• pale leaves, overly elongated stems are signals of a diametrically opposite problem: the lamp hangs too high/far. Lower it to allow the seedlings to gain strength;
• the stems are pulled to the side, become crooked, deformed - they overdid it with side lighting. Place the light source at the top.

Regardless of which lamp you decide to choose, it is important to use it correctly. Only in this case will it be possible to improve the quality of seedlings and reduce the number of weak plants.

How to choose a lamp for plants: video

Lamp for additional illumination of plants: photo

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