Illumination of indoor plants. LED lamps for seedlings

Usually, when growing seedlings, summer residents do not use any lighting elements, considering their purchase to be a waste of money. However, if you have a lot of boxes with seedlings and there is not enough space for them all on the windowsill, then the issue of artificial lighting becomes much more relevant. Plants grown in the shade are much smaller and weaker than seedlings that receive sufficient light, so, already taking this fact into account, it makes sense to think about purchasing appropriate lamps. With proper placement and accurate selection of the power of the device, there is no need to fear any burns.

Is it possible to illuminate seedlings with a regular lamp?

The cheapest option for lighting elements today is ordinary incandescent lamp, but it’s definitely not suitable for illuminating seedlings. Firstly, even the most powerful and expensive version of such a device will not allow you to obtain required amount such important blue and red light due to the limited light spectrum, and secondly, no matter how far above the seedlings you place the lights, the risk of burning the sprouts is still very high. That is why it is worth considering other options for organizing artificial lighting.

Did you know? In the American city of Livermore (California), at one of the fire stations there is a so-called hundred-year-old light bulb, which has been shining almost continuously since 1901. It is noted in the Guinness Book of Records as the most durable.

Types of lamps

Among the many on the market, fluorescent and LED varieties are especially popular, but in order to understand exactly what their advantage is, it is important to study the characteristics of other lamps: sodium, mercury, metal halide.

Luminescent

This kind of lamp is gas-discharge light source, Where electrical discharge in mercury vapor provides ultraviolet glow. Subsequently, when using a special transforming substance, it is transformed into visible light fluxes. Fluorescent lamps are characterized by much greater luminous efficiency than conventional incandescent lamps with the same power ratings.
Upon closer examination of all characteristics of fluorescent lamps we will receive the following data:

Efficiency - maximum 20-22%.
Service life - when turned on about 2000 times, approximately 5 years.
Luminous efficiency - 50-80 lm/W.
Energy consumption - 15-65 W/hour.
Color temperature - 2700-7700 °K (depending on the variety).

Obviously, fluorescent lamps have mass advantages, because they not only give off significantly more light, but also emit a variety of shades, while providing diffused lighting. In addition, compared to standard incandescent lamps, these types of lighting elements can guarantee more long work, of course, unless you intend to use them in places common use(there is a limit on the number of inclusions). The lighting in this case will be as close to natural as possible.
As for shortcomings fluorescent lamps, these include the following:

chemical hazard due to fairly high mercury content (approximately 2.3 to 1 g);
unevenness and linearity of the color spectrum, which is sometimes difficult for human vision to perceive;
change in the color spectrum due to degradation of the phosphor (as a result, light output decreases and efficiency decreases), but this takes time;
with a small capacitor capacity of the lamp, it may flicker at twice the frequency of the supply network;
the presence of a starting device, which is equipped with either an unreliable starter or expensive electronic ballasts.

Did you know?Ancestors of modern lamps daylight There were gas-discharge versions of similar lamps, which appeared back in 1856. The first person who managed to observe the glow of gas under the influence of current was the famous scientist Mikhail Lomonosov.

In these types of lighting elements, the light source is sodium vapor, containing a gas discharge. Because of this, their light spectrum is dominated by resonant radiation of bright orange color. Of course, the quality of color rendering in this case cannot be called perfect, since the radiation itself is characterized by monochrome.
Based on the magnitude of the partial vapor pressure, all such lighting elements are divided into low and high pressure, A characteristics of lamps are expressed in the following indicators:

Efficiency - maximum 30% (for high pressure lamps).
Service life - up to 16-28 thousand hours.
Light output is 150 lumens/watt (if we are talking about high-pressure lamps) and 200 lumens/watt (for low-pressure lamps).
Energy consumption - 70-60 W/hour.
Color temperature - 2000-2500 °K.

Features of the color spectrum and significant flicker with double the frequency of the supply network allow the use of sodium lamps for street lighting, in particular decorative and architectural.

Benefits of this option are the following:

long-term work;
relatively high luminous efficiency throughout the entire period of operation (below 130 lm/W can only be observed at the end of the lamp’s service life);
radiation comfortable for human eyes;
Possibility of use when growing seedlings in later stages or for other household purposes.

As for shortcomings sodium varieties, then these are:

difficulty in manufacturing due to the presence of sodium vapor;
low color rendering quality;
high sensitivity to sudden changes in voltage in the electrical network (for long service life, voltage fluctuations should be no more than 5-10%);
need in additional equipment(there must be ballasts selected in accordance with the characteristics of a particular lamp);
the need for downtime (5-10 minutes) before turning on again;
low environmental Safety due to the presence of sodium vapor inside the lamp bulb.

Perhaps, for domestic purposes, such lamps will be appropriate (for example, for street lighting), but when growing seedlings, it makes sense to consider other options that are characterized by greater safety of use and a wide color spectrum.

Important! Monochrome radiation from high-pressure sodium lamps (in the orange-yellow spectrum) will be appropriate for accelerating the budding process of crops, which is why they are sometimes installed in greenhouses.

Mercury

Gas-discharge lamps of this type are another good light source, the optical radiation in which occurs due to a discharge in mercury vapor. Based on the gas pressure in the lamp, RLs with low, high and ultra-high pressure are distinguished. Accordingly, the partial pressure of mercury vapor is distributed as up to 100 Pa, up to 100 kPa and 1 MPa or more.

The characteristics of mercury lamps are expressed in the following indicators:

Efficiency - maximum 10-12%.
Service life - up to 10-15 hours.
Light output - 45-60 lumens/watt.
Energy consumption - 50-400 W/hour.
Color temperature - up to 3800 °K.

These types of lighting elements are not economically viable, and are most often used when lighting city streets, industrial facilities and workshops where there are no requirements. high requirements to the quality of color rendering.

Advantages gas-discharge mercury lamps are expressed as follows:

they are compact;
have a fairly high light output;
5-7 times more economical than conventional incandescent lamps;
when used correctly, provide up to 15,000 hours of stable operation;
incandescent lamps heat up much less;
reproduce different colors;
can work in low and high temperatures(from +50 to -40 °C).

Flaws mercury lighting elements are no less noticeable, these include:

low color temperature (no more than 3800°K);
long ignition (7-10 minutes);
high susceptibility to changes in the network;
relatively low color rendering;
long lamp cooling period;
reduction in color rendition, starting from the second half of the service life;
low level of environmental friendliness due to the presence of mercury in the design.

Like sodium lamps, mercury lamps are more suitable for domestic purposes, but for the successful cultivation of seedlings on initial stages their capabilities will not be enough.

Metal halide

This variety, like those described above, represents the group high pressure gas discharge lighting elements. However, unlike them, metal halide provides glow due to the introduction of special additives into the burner - halides of certain metals.
The characteristics of metal halide lamps are expressed in the following indicators:

Efficiency - maximum 16-28%.
Service life - up to 6-10 hours.
Light output - 80-170 lumens/watt.
Energy consumption - 70-400 W/hour.
Color temperature - from 2500°K (yellow light) to 20,000°K (blue light).

Metal halide lamps are mainly used in outdoor architectural lighting and backlighting decorative elements, although their use in industrial and public buildings, concert stages. They will become great solution the issue of lighting wherever increased brightness and spectral characteristics are needed, as close as possible to daylight.

Advantages The IGLs are as follows:

high light output (up to 170 lumens/watt);
good energy efficiency indicators;
relatively high power characteristics (up to 3500 Watt);
stable operation regardless of temperature;
the maximum proximity of light to the sun, due to which the radiation is normally perceived by the human eye;
small lamp sizes;
long-term use.

TO cons metal halide lighting elements include:

higher cost;
changes in the color of radiation due to power surges;
long-term switching on;
the need to securely hide the lamp in the lamp (high voltage can lead to an explosion of the element).

Did you know?Thomas Edison's incandescent lamp filament was made from carbonized bamboo.

LED

Many summer residents consider the LED type of lamps optimal solution if necessary, additional illumination of seedlings. This independent device has many advantages, especially in comparison with many other lighting options. At a minimum, it consumes much less electricity, since the technology is based on a completely different radiation principle. In addition, the outgoing light is as close as possible to natural sunlight, which has a beneficial effect on plants.
The characteristics of modern LED lamps are represented by the following values:

Efficiency - maximum 99%.
Service life - up to 100,000 hours;
Light output - 10-200 lumens/watt;
Energy consumption - 1 W/hour (per diode).
Color temperature - 2700-6500 °K.

Various design features of LED lighting elements allow them to be used in absolutely any place: for example, strips can be easily attached to furniture, and lamps can be screwed into regular sockets.
Among the main benefits highlight:

low power consumption (only 10% of the consumption of standard incandescent lamps);
long service life without significant reduction in radiation quality;
high resistance to mechanical stress;
environmental friendliness (LEDs do not require any harmful substances to operate);
the ability to regulate the intensity of the glow;
low voltage in operating condition;
quick heating to maximum light intensity;
no significant heating of the case.

Significant shortcomings LEDs do not, but it is worth noting their sensitivity to elevated temperatures (cannot be used in saunas), the absence complete information about the characteristics on the packaging, but this is most likely explained by the dishonesty of the manufacturers.

Which lamp is better to use for growing seedlings: fluorescent or LED?

After considering all possible types In our opinion, only two of them can be called the most suitable lamps for illuminating seedlings: LED and fluorescent. Gas-discharge varieties (mercury, sodium and metal halide) cannot always provide needed by plants conditions. For example, mercury lamps have almost two times less light than others, while sodium lamps, due to their bright yellow-orange glow, are more suitable for flowers and for illuminating crops in late stages of cultivation.

Important!Sodium lamps cannot be plugged directly into an outlet; a special connection is provided for them.

As for metal halide lighting elements, this is the most expensive option and is best used in cases where vegetative development is preferred over flowering. Ordinary incandescent lamps are not even worth considering, since instead what the seedlings need blue-red spectrum, they emit a rich yellow-red color, heat up quickly and do not fit well into the overall interior.

Considering all of the above, it is quite logical to consider only two options for illuminating seedlings: using fluorescent and LED lamps. The former are distinguished by a full spectrum of luminescence (of course, with making the right choice and connection), and the latter are characterized by low energy consumption and the ability to choose a specific version of the lighting element for any stage of seedling development: at first, blue should be the predominant color, and red-orange should only be complementary.
It is believed that LEDs have more advantageous characteristics compared to fluorescent lighting elements, but we must not forget the importance correct location. If the LED light beam is directed directly at the box, and the energy-saving fluorescent lamp is mounted too high, then it is clear that the light from it will be scattered without reaching the plants. At the same time, it is LED lighting elements that are considered popular today, so it is worth studying them more carefully.

How to choose an LED lamp for plants

Unlike many other lamps, the LED group is distinguished by a wide variety of design variations, which can also be characterized by individual functional features.

Lamp type

Based on the appearance of the LED design, there are lamps (mostly round and square), ordinary light bulbs (screwed into the base) and LED strips that can be attached anywhere. Popular shapes include “corn”, “bulb” and LED tubes (especially T8 or G13).

LEDs in the form tubes- a good solution if you need to slightly change the tubular fluorescent lamp, since the new elements fully correspond to their size and contact arrangement (LEDs are placed on the board along the entire length of the lamp).
Tubular lamp Form flasks- the most common type of lamp that can be found with both SMD and COB LEDs. Most often this is a matte bulb, which guarantees good dispersion of light fluxes. Also an attractive option would be varieties with filament LEDs, which look very similar to standard incandescent lamps, only long LEDs take the place of the spirals.
Corn lamps got their name thanks to cylindrical shape and surfaces covered with SMD LEDs. This design of the lighting element allows for good distribution of light fluxes and high power of the lamp itself.
When choosing an LED lighting element, it is important to consider the type of base (of course, if we are not talking about a strip).

They are divided into the following types:

Important!When arranging a place for seedlings, the GX 53 base would be appropriate, since lamps with such a connector are excellent for surface-mounted and built-in lamps on furniture or the ceiling.

Number of LEDs

Modern LED strips for plants can have different color ratios (red to blue). This is 10:3, and 15:5, and 5:1. In most cases, the best option is considered to be the latter, in which there is 1 blue LED bulb for every 5 red LED bulbs. True, such a solution can be called optimal only if the seedlings are on the windowsill and receive additional lighting from the street.
As for the total number of LEDs, this value will depend on the area of your plantings in pots and glasses. For 1 sq. m usually 30-50 W of LED power is enough, that is, 30-50 pieces of LEDs of 1 W each. However, these values will only be valid when it comes to supplementary illumination of seedlings on the windowsill, otherwise the number of diodes will have to be increased.

Power

The brightness of the radiation directly depends on the power characteristics of LED lamps. Thus, lighting elements of 2-3 W can provide a luminous flux of 250 lm, 4-5 W - 400 lm, and 8-10 W - 700 lm. However, these indicators are not enough for most grown crops, so we recommend focusing on a power of 25-30 W, which allows you to get 2500 lm. If necessary, you can install several of these lamps.

Glow spectrum

Let's consider the influence of different types of rays on culture:

red (720-600 nm long) and orange rays (620-595 nm) are the main sources of energy for successful photosynthesis and the rate of change of all processes occurring inside depends on them. Excessive amounts of such radiation will slow down the plant's transition to the flowering phase;
blue and violet rays (490-380 nm) are responsible for the production of proteins in the crop and accelerate flowering;
ultraviolet rays (315-380 nm) reduce the rate of “forcing” of plants and promote the production of certain vitamins, while similar rays with a wavelength of 280-315 nm increase their frost resistance;
yellow (595-565 nm) and green (565-490 nm) radiation have virtually no effect on the life of plants and do not provide significant benefits.

Taking into account all these features is necessary for correct selection lighting. The glow of conventional LED elements is as close as possible to natural light and meets all the needs of seedlings, but if desired, it is possible to buy so-called “multispectrum” lamps. According to the manufacturers, these phytolamps are designed specifically for the growth and development of seedlings and support them better than conventional light sources.

Whether it makes sense to overpay when buying such a lamp is difficult to answer unequivocally, because seedlings grow well even with ordinary LEDs. The only thing you should not forget about is the presence of blue and red color spectrum in the radiation, as well as the optimal placement of lighting elements.

Important!Excess light leads to partial destruction of chlorophyll, and, as a result, yellowing of the leaves. If the seedlings are not shaded, burns may occur.

All existing varieties of LED lighting elements are produced for different purposes, so it is not surprising that each of them can have its own protective covering on the shell. It is the degree of protection that allows you to determine whether the lamp can be installed outdoors, in a dusty or damp room, or in a swimming pool.

Typically, this indicator is marked by the manufacturer on the packaging with the LED and consists of two numbers: the first indicates the class of protection from dust and mechanical damage, and the second indicates the level of protection from moisture. More exact values regarding LED lamps are given in the table:

Price range and manufacturer

The efficiency of LED lamps and the longevity of their operation directly depend on the integrity of the manufacturer, so when choosing a specific lighting element, you should pay attention to this indicator. Some of the most reliable and time-tested companies are Optogan, Optron, Artleds from Russia, as well as Agilent Technologies, a world-famous manufacturer that has been producing the described lamps for several years.

No less well-known suppliers of LED products are Optek Technology, Edison, Philips Lumileds, Toshiba, which offer consumers lighting elements of various configurations.

As for the pricing policy, it all depends on the type of product (lamp, lamp or strip) and its power characteristics: you can spend a couple of dollars or several tens.

Lighting for seedlings: calculating the number of lamps

Choosing a good LED lamp does not guarantee the desired result, since one lamp may not cope with many plants. If you have several drawers, it is better to calculate in advance the required number of lighting elements, taking into account the following factors:

the type of crop being grown and its need for light (usually a value of 6000 lux is sufficient);
angle of installation of the lamp (both horizontal and vertical placement is allowed);
distance from the lamp to the top of the seedling;
area to be illuminated.

Let's give an example of correct calculation for . For high-quality lighting of seedlings in a pot of 0.6 square meters. m will need 5000 lm, so we multiply this value by the available planting area (0.6 sq. m.) and get 3000 lm - the value of the optimal luminous flux for a particular case. The lamp itself can be placed horizontally, at a distance of 15-20 cm from the surface of the plantings.

Important!A certain percentage of the light flux can be absorbed by walls and objects located in the room, especially if the light source is far from the plants. To compensate for these losses, it is advisable to purchase a lamp 10-30% more powerful.

How to fix the lamp: distance from the lamp to the seedlings

Modern lamps are already sold from ready-made fastenings, and all you have to do is screw them with self-tapping screws to the support.
If possible, you should give preference to those types that will later allow you to adjust the height of the lamp using the chains included in the kit, because as the seedlings grow, it may be necessary to change the location of the lighting element.

On average, at least 25 cm of free space should be maintained from the LED phytolamp to the plants. When additional illumination of plantings with fluorescent lamps with a power of 300-400 W per 1 sq. m, acceptable lighting will be provided only when the lamp is located at a distance of 20-30 cm.
If the seedlings are located far from the window and natural light does not reach them at all, then we are no longer talking about additional illumination, but about full illumination of plantings. In this situation, the lamp should hang at a height of 60-70 cm, but the exact “exposure” zone will depend on the light-loving nature of the crop being grown. An approximate “exposure” circle, in relation to the diameter and height of the lamp suspension, looks like this:

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Rules for supplementary lighting: how not to harm plants

An excess of light is just as undesirable for seedlings as its lack, so when supplementary lighting your seedlings you should adhere to certain rules:

It is advisable to sow the seeds in March or April, when there is enough daylight (no lamp can completely replace the sun).
If the normal daylight hours last for 12 hours (light constantly falls on the seedlings), lamps do not need to be installed, and to increase illumination, simply install reflective screens (for example, foil, a mirror, or just a white sheet of paper) next to the boxes.
If additional illumination is still carried out, then it is necessary to take into account the change in photoperiods: day and night. Plants must get used to the regime, because playing with light can have a bad effect on their development.
Each type of plant being grown must have its own supplementary lighting regime and duration of photoperiods: for example, almost any vegetables require a certain amount of natural daylight, and some flowers prefer partial shade.
Additional lighting will be especially important on cloudy days or when placing boxes on the north side of an apartment or house.

By adhering to these simple rules and observing the requirements for the selection and placement of an artificial light source, even a novice gardener will be able to grow strong and viable plants that, when transplanted into a garden bed, quickly adapt to new conditions. Growing seedlings is not a difficult task, and with the right lamps everything will be even easier.

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In winter, the home garden needs more than ever sunlight. Daylight hours are becoming much shorter, and plants lack solar energy. They begin to wither, turn yellow, about to bloom in winter time out of the question. But the situation can be corrected thanks to artificial lighting. Flower growers resort to lighting - the only solution to the problem. So, in winter you can achieve rapid growth of domestic plants, and even fruiting of some crops.

Saxifraga

Aspidistra

Light-loving crops are another matter. They do not develop well without sufficient lighting. Some species, often tropical ones, need bright sunlight. For some - absent-minded. Winter is a real disaster for such plants. If there is not enough light, you can forget about flowering and lush greenery. Therefore, the grower needs to install additional lighting. Light-loving plants include:

These are just the most common indoor plants that love bright light. When purchasing a particular flower, always inquire about its light needs. This is very important, otherwise the plant may die if there is too little or too much light. Do not forget that only thanks to sunlight, a plant can, in principle, live and develop.

In fact, even shade-tolerant crops need indirect light. In winter it will never be superfluous. The main thing is to choose the right phytolamp and install it in the right place.

The answer to this question would seem unequivocal – sunny. But it is not so. The plant world perceives sunlight in a completely different way, not in the same way as humans do.

Flowers need the red, orange, blue and violet spectrum to develop and grow normally.

As you can see, not all colors from the sun's rays are perceived by plants. Therefore, the backlight will emit exactly these spectra that the plants need.

Thanks to red and orange light, the process of photosynthesis is launched, without which the plant’s existence is impossible. Blue and violet spectra are necessary for growth and its regulation. Experienced gardeners know that for the germination of seeds and the development of young sprouts, red and orange light is needed. For already formed plants - mixed or blue, violet light. Having figured out what kind of light the plants need, you can choose a lamp.

IN garden centers or special stores that sell lighting fixtures, you will be offered a wide range of lamps for plants. An inexperienced gardener may be confused by this choice. First of all, you should understand once and for all that an ordinary Ilyich light bulb is not suitable for illuminating plants. You need to choose either fluorescent, gas-discharge, or LED lamps:

Fluorescent lamps. This type of lamp is perhaps the most common among gardeners. Fluorescent lamps are inexpensive and provide the necessary light to plants. They serve for quite a long time, they are convenient to place above the home garden. Some types of crops, such as Saintpaulia, bloom under these lamps in winter. The emitted spectrum is red and blue. If you want to choose these lamps, keep in mind that they are not suitable for tall plants (more than 1 meter). There won't be enough of them. The best-selling types of fluorescent lamps for plants are the Osram brand, Fluora.
Gas discharge lamps. In this category of lamps there are three groups - mercury, metal halide and sodium lamps. The best of them are considered to be metal halide backlights. They emit all spectrums of sunlight necessary for plants. Sodium lamps are more suitable for young sprouts as they emit red and orange light. Mercury lamps are not recommended for installation. In general, it is more advisable to install gas-discharge lamps in large rooms– greenhouses, conservatories or large winter gardens. For home use It is better to choose a fluorescent lamp.
LED bulbs. LED lamps are the latest development in the world of lighting devices. These lamps are perfect in every way. They are super economical, emit the entire spectrum of light necessary for plants and have sufficient power. These lamps have one drawback - high price. Although, by purchasing a set of such lamps, you no longer have to worry about replacing them in the future. The lamps last so long that the savings from such a purchase will be quite noticeable.
Reflectors and reflectors. Along with the main lighting, it is customary to install reflectors. Thus, the emitted light is not scattered, it is reflected from the reflector and spreads to the plants. You don't have to buy reflectors. They can be replaced by white, matte Whatman paper or food foil, its matte side. Often gardeners install such reflectors on window sills; as a result, sunlight is not scattered and plants receive much more light than without a reflector.

If you decide to install a fluorescent lamp, you will also need a reflector. The gardener will achieve an even distribution of light in his home garden.

It is very important not only to choose the right lamp, but also to install it correctly. Many novice flower growers make the same mistake - hanging the lamps too high. More often, lamps should be hung at a distance of 25-30 cm from the topmost leaves. For shade-tolerant plants, lamps are placed at a distance of 40 cm. The lamp should be located strictly above the plant, and not on the side or below.

In addition to the lamps, install reflectors on opposite sides of the flowerpots so that the height of the reflector fully matches the height of the plants and is slightly higher than them.

If the plant is located on a windowsill, place reflectors on all sides, including the space on the side of the room. Mirrors cannot be used as reflectors, as they do not reflect, but absorb light. Therefore, they will be of no use.

Try to follow these simple rules and there will be enough light for plants. The backlight time is also important. You cannot turn on the lamps and leave them for a day. Develop a regime according to the needs of the flowers. Turn on the lamp 2 hours before dawn, then it can be turned on when dusk falls. In total, flowers need 10-12 hours of daylight. Add to the main, natural daylight hours the number of hours that together would make the number 12. Usually this is two hours before dawn and two or three after sunset. Thus, the lamp will work for a maximum of 5 hours a day in winter.

More information can be found in the video:

Tips for flower growers:

When installing a lamp, always keep in mind that as the plant grows you will have to lift it lighting fixture higher. Install lamps on special holders whose height can be adjusted.
From experience, gardeners can determine the approximate number of lamps per plant, depending on its type. So, for citrus fruits, philodendrons and monsteras, one fluorescent lamp 60 cm in size + installation of reflectors will be enough. For tall plants, more than one meter in height, you will need two fluorescent lamps, more than 1 meter in size + reflectors.
Do not forget that the distance between the plant and the lamps for tall crops is 40 cm, no less. The distance between the lamps themselves is at least 30 cm.
If you have a large greenhouse, install different types of lamps. This way the plants will certainly receive the required radiation spectrum.
If we are talking about growing vegetables at home, then your arsenal should include sodium lamps and fluorescent lamps. The first are needed to illuminate young shoots, the second - for the growth of mature plants.

There is nothing complicated in installation, the main thing is to take into account all the nuances and follow the advice of experienced flower and vegetable growers. Don't forget about your pets in winter, give them the most important thing for their life and development - light!

To each experienced florist We know the huge role that properly selected lighting for indoor plants plays. Along with watering and soil, light is an indispensable component on which successful growth directly depends. It is no secret that in the natural environment, some plants thrive in shaded areas, while others cannot develop without direct exposure to sunlight. At home, the situation looks similar. Let's talk in detail about how to properly make artificial lighting for indoor plants.

Decorative lighting and lighting for plant growth

A lamp for growing indoor plants is a great way to extend daylight hours. After all, many indoor flowers are of tropical origin, which means they experience a daily lack of solar energy, especially in winter period. For effective plant growth, the daylight hours should be about 15 hours. Otherwise, they weaken, stop blooming and are susceptible to various diseases.

When planning the future illumination of indoor flowers, it is important not to miss the aesthetic component. The phytolight should become part of the interior, a unique decorative element. There are a huge number of wall-mounted lamps on sale. different shapes, for any energy-saving lamp: CFL or LED. Depending on the size home flower garden, the lighting can be made from several spot lights aimed directly at each green pet, or from tubular fluorescent lamps with reflector. Using your own imagination, you can make an original LED phytolight yourself.

The most important component of growth is the light spectrum

In order to understand how inhomogeneous light is from different electrical sources and the sun, you need to look at their spectral composition. The spectral characteristic is the dependence of the radiation intensity on the wavelength. The solar radiation curve is continuous throughout the visible range with a decrease in the UV and IR regions. The spectrum of artificial light sources in most cases is represented by individual pulses of different amplitudes, which as a result gives the light a certain hue.

During the experiments, it was found that for successful development, plants do not use the full spectrum, but only its individual parts. The following wavelengths are considered the most vital:

640–660 nm – velvety red color, necessary for all adult plants for reproductive development, as well as for strengthening the root system;
595–610 nm – orange for flowering and fruit ripening;
440–445 nm – violet color for vegetative development;
380–400 nm – near UV range to regulate the rate of growth and formation of proteins;
280–315 nm – mid-UV range to increase frost resistance.

Lighting with only the listed rays is not suitable for all plants. Each representative of the flora is unique in its “wave” preferences. This means that it is impossible to fully replace the sun's energy using lamps. But artificial lighting of plants in the morning and evening hours can significantly improve their life.

Signs of lack of light

There are a number of signs by which it is easy to identify a lack of light. You just need to take a close look at your flower and compare it with the standard. For example, find a similar view on the Internet. A clear lack of illumination manifests itself as follows. The plant slows down its growth. The new leaves are smaller and the stem becomes thinner. Lower leaves turn yellow. The flower either stops blooming completely, or the number of buds formed is less than the statistical average. It is assumed that watering, humidity and air temperature are normal.

How much light do you need?

It is impossible to give a definite answer to this question. How can a person live in different parts globe, so an indoor flower can grow on a windowsill facing north, south, west or east. Throughout its life, the plant will strive to adapt to current conditions: stretch upward due to lack of light or, conversely, expose the next blossoming bud to the sun’s rays.

Watching appearance stems and leaves, the size and number of flowers, you can determine the adequacy of the lighting level. At the same time, do not forget about what stage of development the indoor flower is at: growing season, flowering, seed ripening. At each stage, it takes light from the sun of the wavelength that it needs at the moment. Therefore, when organizing additional lighting, it is important to take into account the qualitative component of the light flux.

Long-term exposure to bright light from the sun and lamps with an illumination level of more than 15 thousand lux is loved by those indoor flowers, which in their natural habitat grow under open air. These are many people's favorite crassula, geranium, kalanchoe, and begonia. Artificial lighting for plants of this type in the evening will do them good.

Representatives of the flora that feel comfortable in illumination of 10–15 thousand lux include spathiphyllum, clivia, saintpaulia, tradescantia and dracaena. The leaves of these types of indoor flowers do not like hot sunlight, but also do not tolerate early twilight. Therefore, the ideal place for them would be a window sill with access to the west, where in the evening their leaves will receive the necessary energy from the setting sun.

So-called shade-loving plants can bloom and develop away from window opening, being content with illumination of up to 10 thousand lux. However, this does not mean that they will die if they are placed in a brighter place. They just need less direct sun rays. These include some types of ficus and dracaena, philodendron, as well as tropical vines.

Supplementary lighting for plants and artificial lighting sources

In most cases, indoor plants need additional lighting. Flowers, which at first glance have bright green succulent leaves and bloom regularly, will look even better if they are exposed to a phytolamp. If someone thinks otherwise, then he has an excellent chance to be convinced of the error of his thinking and collect. Used to extend daylight hours various sources artificial light. Let's look at each of them and figure out which light is best for plants.

Incandescent lamps

Illuminating plants with incandescent lamps is the least effective for several reasons. The emission spectrum of conventional light bulbs with a spiral is strongly red-shifted, which does not contribute to photosynthesis in any way. Low efficiency and, as a consequence, enormous heat generation drive their energy and light efficiency to zero. In addition, incandescent lamps have the shortest service life compared to other artificial light sources.

Fluorescent lamps

Tubular fluorescent or, as they are most often called, energy-saving fluorescent lamps type T8 full spectrum (T=5300–6500°K) are considered the best option for illuminating indoor plants for many years. They have earned many positive reviews due to the presence of a selective spectrum, efficiency and low heat transfer combined with reasonable cost.

Companies specializing in the production of fluorescent lamps offer plant growers an improved option - a phytolamp with a selective emission spectrum. They work predominantly in the blue and red range, as can be seen from the characteristic glow. But the cost of such lamps for illuminating plants is an order of magnitude higher than their conventional counterparts.

A sodium lamp is the most efficient light source. In terms of luminous efficiency and working life, these lamps are comparable to LEDs for plants. But they are not suitable for home use due to their excessively high brightness (more than 15 thousand lux). But in many greenhouses and conservatories, growing plants at artificial lighting based specifically on gas-discharge lamps. Due to the fact that they emit more red light, they are installed in combination with 6500K fluorescent lamps.

LED light sources

All LED phytolights are divided into three groups:

bicolor;
with multispectrum;
with full spectrum.

Bicolor or two-color lamps are based on blue (440–450 nm) and red (640–660 nm) LEDs. Their light is considered to be the most optimal for organizing illumination of any plants during the growing season. This working spectrum favors the process of photosynthesis, which leads to accelerated growth of green mass. That is why summer residents prefer blue-red LED lamps when growing seedlings vegetable crops on the windowsill.

LED lamps with a multispectrum have wider application due to the expansion of the red range into the infrared and yellow light. They are in demand for illuminating adult plants, stimulating flowering and fruit ripening. In apartment conditions, it is better to use LED multispectrum for flowers with a dense crown.

A phytolight with a full spectrum of radiation can be used to illuminate flowers in an apartment, regardless of the type and location. This is a kind of universal artificial light source that emits over a wide range with maximums in the red and blue zones. LED lamp full spectrum is a tandem of energy efficiency and light energy reminiscent of the action of solar rays.

Today's creation favorable conditions for an extensive transition to phytoLEDs is not happening for two reasons:

high cost of high-quality lamps for plants;
a large number of counterfeits based on conventional LEDs.

What light is best for growth?

Of course, the ideal light source is solar energy. In apartments with windows facing southeast and southwest, you can grow any flowers, placing them in different parts of the room. But don’t be upset for those who only have a north-facing view from their window. Fluorescent and LED lamps for lighting plants compensate for the lack of sun rays.

Daylight lamps for plants are a budget option, time-tested. They are suitable for those who are trying to create normal conditions for a flower with little investment. LED phytolamps for those who strive to speed up events and achieve best results in a short time, despite the price of several thousand rubles.

Before purchasing another “leafy pet,” you should find out how light-loving it is. Perhaps the allocated space in the room will not be able to provide him with full development.
An inexpensive option for illuminating light-loving plants can be made from an 18 W fluorescent lamp and a 25 W incandescent lamp.
The prevailing radiation in the yellow region of the visible spectrum inhibits the growth of stems. Illuminating dracaena (and other tree-like plants) with warm light will give it a compact shape.
If a plant with variegated foliage loses its original color and becomes monochromatic, then it clearly does not have enough light. An LED phytolamp will help restore the flower to its former attractiveness.
Light from red and blue LEDs accelerates eye fatigue. In this regard, visual work in the area of their action should be excluded.

Summing up

We hope that the material read helped the reader to acquire basic knowledge of organizing lighting for flowers in the house and on the balcony. Once again I would like to emphasize the cost-effectiveness and high efficiency of LED lamps for growing plants, a mass transition to which is just around the corner. Let every gardener who has the opportunity to purchase an LED phyto-lamp today evaluate its power and leave his review for other readers in the comments below.

The need for artificial lighting for plants and types of lamps

Artificial lighting for plants is used:

in greenhouses for growing plants for food;
in greenhouses for forcing cut flowers or potted varieties;
in gardening;
for decorating rooms with greenery;
for lighting private collections ornamental plants in domestic (non-industrial) conditions;
as .

Plant light requirements

The quality and effectiveness of the backlight depend on several parameters:

length of daylight hours;
Colorful temperature;
emission spectrum;
lighting intensity.

Based on their requirements for daylight hours, plants are divided into long-day, neutral and short-day. For the former, daylight should last more than 12-14 hours and supplementary illumination with artificial light is a vital necessity for them, without which the stages of flowering and fruiting are impossible.

Too long daylight hours also have a negative effect on plants, disrupting biorhythms. For automatic control When turning the backlight on and off, it is recommended to use a timer.

A color temperature of 2700 K gives warm red light, 5000 K - daylight, 6500 K - cold.

Correspondence of color temperature to lighting elements of different types

At different stages of development, plants require different spectrums of light. When seeds germinate, a red spectrum is required; when growing seedlings and growing green mass, there should be a predominantly blue spectrum, and during flowering and fruiting, a red-orange spectrum.

The lighting intensity is selected taking into account the type of plants. For example, let's take the light intensity on a cloudy winter day. It is approximately equal to 1000 Lx on the street and 100 Lx on the southern windowsill.

Here are the plant requirements for light intensity:

Types of phytolamps, their advantages and disadvantages

There are several most common types of lamps:

with incandescent element;
luminescent;
halogen;
ultraviolet;
high pressure sodium;
LED lighting.

Incandescent lamps They are used the old fashioned way, have a short service life, consume electricity inefficiently, produce a low light temperature and a red-yellow spectrum. True, there are incandescent lamps labeled “grow lights,” which only indicates the presence of a blue filter.

Not recommended for primary plant lighting. They are often used to highlight plants in the interior. Sometimes lamps with an incandescent element are used as a heater in mini greenhouses, since a large amount of electricity is spent not on light, but on heat transfer.

They are mainly used for growing seedlings, as they provide more light in the blue spectrum, which is necessary to increase the green mass of the plant.

Currently, they are practically not used in plant growing, since they consume a lot of electricity and require special care during operation, as they can easily cause damage to foliage.

Sodium– have a greater red spectrum and are better suited for the flowering and fruiting period.
– a relatively recent technology that has great potential in crop production. Thanks to the use of LEDs of different spectrums in one lamp, lamps are created that best meet the needs of plants. The only and decisive disadvantage of LEDs is their price, which prevents the widespread widespread adoption of this type of plant lighting.

Fluorescent light sources are most widely used both in industrial-scale plant growing and in domestic conditions. Therefore, we will dwell on this type of lamps for artificial lighting of plants in more detail.

Fluorescent lamps for artificial lighting of plants

Fluorescent lamps can be linear, compact, energy-saving.

Linear lamps are long tubes that are conveniently placed in a row above a rack.

Energy-saving ones provide much more light per unit. For example, a 54 W energy-saving lamp produces as much as 5000 Lux.
Compact fluorescent lamps differ in their size and shape. Their convenience is that many lamps of this type have a standard screw-in base and are already equipped with a built-in starter. They are all produced in the same three color temperature ranges: red - up to 2700 K, daylight - up to 5000 K and cold - up to 6500 K.

Compact lamps have appeared relatively recently. Most linear models are outdated. Therefore, it is better to give preference to the first.

Fluorescent lamps differ in emission temperature on the Kelvin scale, which can vary from 2700 to 7800 K, and light intensity in lumens.

Specifications

Luminescent elements require special lamps equipped with ballast (ballast) and a reflector (reflector), which allows the light not to be scattered, but concentrated on the surface for illumination.

The simplest electromagnetic ballast equipment (ballast) is equipped with a starter. But it is better to use electronic ballast, which gives an even glow without blinking when turned on or flickering when the lamp is operating. Some electronic ballasts have a function for dimming the lamps. In particular, such regulation can be carried out from a light sensor.

The cost of ballasts varies greatly:

throttle – 200 rub.;
electronic ballasts - from 900 rubles;
electronic ballasts with the ability to regulate, but without a control device included - from 2000 rubles.

Regulating devices are not included in the kit, as they vary greatly in type and price., and can also be used simultaneously on many lamps.

Please also pay attention to the following specifications light bulbs:

Base. Most often, linear phytolamps are produced with a G13 base. Compact fluorescent lamps can have base types E27 and E40.
. Plant lighting elements are available in several standard capacities– 15 W, 18 W, 30 W, 36 W, 58 W. The relationship between the power of the lamp and the amount of light it produces is not direct. The longer and more powerful the lamp, the more light it gives. Two 15 W lamps will give a total of less light than one 30 W fluorescent lamp.
Supply voltage. Most manufacturers adhere to the standard for an electrical network of 220 W, 50 Hz.
Dimensions. They are important when installing fluorescent lamps in the aquarium lid or when planning illuminated shelves.
Lifetime. Most often, manufacturers talk about the service life of fluorescent lamps at 10,000 hours. According to technical documentation, Osram Flora lamps should shine for 13,000 hours. But practice shows that most lamps fail after 7500 hours of operation. The reason for such rapid resource depletion is simple overheating.

Reflectors for fluorescent lamps must have holes for ventilation. If many high-power lamps are installed, an additional fan is installed to cool them. Small PC fans can be used.

Popular manufacturers and prices

Osram Fluora lamps of various wattages

Professionals often use combined lighting of two types of lamps - warm red and cool blue spectrum. This approach allows you to optimally meet the lighting needs of cultivated plants.

Features of arranging shelving with lighting

As the inverse square law says, the intensity of light decreases in proportion to the square of the distance from the lamp. Light losses at a distance from the top of the plant to the lamp of 30 cm are 30%, at 60 cm - 50%. These figures are correct when using a lamp with a reflector. If there is no reflector, feel free to double the light loss.

Photo of a rack for indoor plants with lighting

The artificial lighting lamp should be located 15 centimeters from light-loving plants and 50 centimeters from shade-loving plants. Thus, it is better to place plants of the same size on the shelves and illuminate them along their entire length.

When choosing a lamp, keep in mind that the manufacturer indicates the maximum illumination value on the packaging. This maximum is reached only in the center under the lamp at 40-50 centimeters, decreasing towards the edges.

Video

This video will tell you in more detail about artificial lighting for plants.

The use of fluorescent lamps in crop production provides the best price-quality ratio. When selecting lighting, you need to take into account the needs of a particular type of plant, its life period, the distance from the lighting to the top of the plant and the actual parameters of the fluorescent lamp.

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