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Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

This WordPress post provides an overview of lamps for plant seedlings and offers tips for choosing the best option. Using illumination technology and modern engineering, these lamps help to provide intense light needed for optimal seedling growth. They are available in varying sizes, wattages, and styles for a range of different applications. With the right type of lamp, you can get the best growing results, control seedling temperatures, and ensure a healthy growing environment. Their easy installation and adjustable settings make them a reliable and indispensable tool for gardeners. This post will help you make an informed decision on which lamp is best for your needs.

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Having planted seedlings for your garden, you expect to see sprouts that have hatched in a week, and after another two a lush carpet of leaves. However, for this you need to help the plants, they need watering, fresh air, light and, most importantly, proper supplementary lighting. Let’s talk about plant seedling lamps.

Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

What kind of lighting do plants need?

Questions about what kind of light is best for plants, including for growing seedlings, were considered in great detail at the beginning of the last century. It was then that chlorophyll and photosynthesis were discovered and their key role in plant development was established..

Photosynthesis requires visible electromagnetic waves with a length of approximately 440 and 630-660 nm. In this case, ultraviolet is not actually used, and infrared radiation is needed only as a source of heat. Green does not participate in the life of plants in any way and therefore is completely reflected. That is why all vegetation for us is rich in greenery..

Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

Ideal illumination should include the emission of all primary colors of the spectrum of average intensity with the formation of peaks at well-defined wavelengths. In addition, it is desirable to be able to adjust the brightness and operating time of the lighting equipment and even the direction of the light..

Incandescent lamps

  1. Color temperature – 2400-2700 K (3000 K for a halogen lamp).
  2. Spectrum – solid.
  3. Luminous efficacy – 12-14 lm / W (conventional incandescent lamp), 16-25 lm / W (halogen).
  4. Efficiency – 1.9-3.5%.

Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

For growing seedlings and adult plants, they are poorly suited, with the exception of shade-loving decorative species, which, in principle, do not need high light intensity. However, if incandescent lamps, or better halogen lamps, are used to illuminate seedlings, then it is necessary to assess the state of green shoots and soil in normal familiar lighting. They are often used as a cheap and easy-to-use source of infrared radiation for heating a greenhouse for seedlings.

Easily dimmable, and a simple timer can schedule the lamp.

Luminescent

  1. Color temperature – depends on the composition of the phosphor 3000–6500 K.
  2. Spectrum – linear.
  3. Luminous efficiency – 60-100 lm / W.
  4. Efficiency – 9-15%.

Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

The source of visible light is the secondary radiation of the phosphor covering the lamp bulb. In an ordinary household fluorescent lamp, against the background of uniformly low radiation of the entire visible spectrum, powerful bursts are observed in the green and blue parts of it. The color of the lamp only seems white to the human eye.

For plant growing, a phosphor is specially selected that can produce two main peaks in the red and blue regions (630 and 440 nm, respectively). The popularity was gained by standard linear flasks with G17 connectors, which are placed in a dust-proof housing with a reflector.

Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

Luminescent lamps for seedlings are used in combination “flora” + household (marked 840). Especially for crop production, tandem induction fluorescent lamps are used, one of which predominantly produces red and the other produces blue. The timer adjusts the emission of red or blue lighting depending on the time of day, simulating the correct distribution of daylight. The brightness of the lamp itself cannot be corrected..

Gas discharge

  1. Color temperature – depends on the choice of gas in which the plasma is formed, 2000–20,000 K.
  2. The spectrum is solid, often with one peak of a certain color.
  3. Luminous efficacy – 85-200 lm / W.
  4. Efficiency – 10-30%.

Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

In gas discharge lamps, light is produced by a gas through which an electric current is passed. Gases such as neon, argon, krypton, xenon are used as a filler for a large number of prepared amalgams based on sodium and other metals with mercury.

For crop production, gas-discharge lamps are used where a temporary or permanent source of a narrow spectrum of a certain color is required, more often in the red range. Using them for seedlings at home is ineffective..

Arc

  1. Color temperature – 2000-20000 K.
  2. Spectrum – solid.
  3. Luminous efficacy – 30-50 lm / W.
  4. Efficiency – 4-8%.

Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

The light source is an electric arc between two electrodes placed in an inert gas environment. They are distinguished by huge heat release and massive radiation in the red or yellow part of the spectrum. They are not in demand in crop production, it is difficult to create optimal conditions for a lamp and at the same time limit heat generation.

LEDs

  1. Color temperature for white LEDs – 2700-6500 K.
  2. Spectrum – line, band.
  3. Luminous efficiency – 10-150 (250) lm / W.
  4. Efficiency – 1.5-15%.

Spot light source, by default with a specific color glow.

Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

White light is obtained as a mixture of three primary colors (red, green and blue) or as a result of re-emission by a phosphor when it is irradiated with an ultraviolet diode.

Specialized LED lamps for indoor seedlings and cultivation are already being produced. LEDs are strictly wavelength-matched. The radiation spectrum can be monitored on one device, which greatly simplifies the dimensions of all lighting and expands the scope of application.

Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

It should be noted that commercially available LED strips and individual diodes often have the wrong set of wavelengths that are needed for plants..

For ornamental plants

For indoor plants, lighting efficiency is important not only to maintain photosynthesis and growth, but also to look good. Preference is given to combined lighting options, in which there is a constant source of phyto-radiation in the red and blue ranges, as well as balanced white light with a predominance of green tint.

Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

The best suited for such requirements are LED lamps and fluorescent lamps with a combination of phyto-normalized lamps with conventional.

For fruit and vegetable crops

Growth efficiency and plant development support come to the fore.

For germination and vegetative growth of plants, the light should be dominated by blue. Suitable for this:

  1. Metal halide lamps (from 4000 K) in combination with an incandescent or fluorescent lamp 840 or 954 (965).
  2. Luminescent phytolamps with a predominance of blue.
  3. Blue LEDs with 400-480 nm wavelength coverage.

Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

For flowering and fruiting, more red is needed:

  1. Amber sodium lamps + 840 series fluorescent lamps.
  2. Gas discharge lamps with a glow temperature below 3500 K.
  3. Induction fluorescent lamps in a combination of blue and red 40% and 60% respectively.
  4. White LED lamps with warm glow phyto-phosphor.

Lamps for plant seedlings: an overview, tips for choosing

LEDs and fluorescent lamps allow you to place light sources as close as possible to plants without fear of burning leaves and shoots. At the same time, the light from fluorescent lamps is easily distributed by reflectors, and the LEDs are compact and can be mounted on movable fixtures, simulating the daily cycle.

All other light sources are difficult to fit into compact germination greenhouses. It will require active ventilation and heat removal from the lighting device, as well as the use of infrared filters, preventing overheating of the soil and foliage surface.

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Comments: 5
  1. Piper

    Are lamps for plant seedlings necessary? What are the benefits of using them? How do I choose the right lamp for my seedlings? Any tips on how to ensure proper growth and avoid any potential harm?

    Reply
    1. Eli Turner

      Lamps for plant seedlings are not always necessary, but they can be highly beneficial. These lamps provide supplemental light, particularly during the winter or in areas with limited sunlight, to ensure healthy growth and development. The benefits include promoting photosynthesis, preventing leggy growth, and enhancing strong root development.

      When choosing a lamp, consider its light spectrum, intensity, and duration. Seedlings typically require blue light for vegetative growth and red light for flowering and fruiting. So, select a lamp with a balanced spectrum of both colors. Ensure the intensity is appropriate for the type of plants you are growing and adjust the distance between lamp and seedlings accordingly.

      To ensure proper growth, maintain a consistent light schedule, usually 12-16 hours of light per day. Keep the lamp at an optimal distance to prevent burning the plants or causing stunted growth. Also, rotate seedlings regularly to promote even growth.

      Avoid potential harm by avoiding excessive light exposure, as it can lead to stunted growth or scorching of leaves. Be cautious with fluorescent lamps, as they produce less heat but can be too weak for dense foliage. LED grow lights provide excellent efficiency and adjustability.

      Proper ventilation and air circulation are crucial to prevent heat buildup and disease development. Regularly check soil moisture and provide adequate watering. Lastly, periodically clean lamps to remove dust that can reduce light emission.

      Overall, lamps for plant seedlings offer numerous benefits and with careful consideration of their spectrum, intensity, and duration, you can provide the best conditions for your seedlings’ growth without causing harm.

      Reply
      1. Aria Taylor

        Lamps for plant seedlings are not always necessary but can be highly beneficial, especially in situations with limited sunlight or during the winter. They promote healthy growth by providing supplemental light that aids in photosynthesis, prevents leggy growth, and enhances root development.

        When choosing a lamp, consider the light spectrum, intensity, and duration. Seedlings require blue light for vegetative growth and red light for flowering and fruiting. So, it’s ideal to select a lamp with a balanced spectrum of both colors. Adjust the distance between the lamp and seedlings according to the intensity needed for the plants you are growing.

        Maintain a consistent light schedule of 12-16 hours a day to ensure proper growth. Be cautious not to burn the plants or cause stunted growth by keeping the lamp at an optimal distance. Regularly rotating the seedlings promotes even growth.

        Avoid excessive light exposure, which can lead to stunted growth or scorching of leaves. Fluorescent lamps produce less heat but may be too weak for dense foliage. LED grow lights are highly efficient and adjustable.

        Proper ventilation and air circulation are crucial to prevent heat buildup and disease development. Regularly check soil moisture and provide adequate watering. Clean the lamps periodically to remove dust that can reduce light emission.

        By carefully considering the spectrum, intensity, and duration of light, you can provide the best conditions for your seedlings’ growth without causing harm.

        Reply
  2. Avery Foster

    Can you provide some recommendations for the best lamps to use for growing plant seedlings? I’m particularly interested in knowing what factors should be considered when choosing a lamp for this purpose.

    Reply
    1. Chloe Cunningham

      When choosing a lamp for growing plant seedlings, there are a few important factors to consider. Firstly, you should look for a lamp that provides full spectrum light, as this mimics natural sunlight and promotes healthy growth. LED grow lights are a popular option as they are energy-efficient and produce a wide range of light wavelengths. Additionally, consider the size and intensity of the lamp – smaller seedlings may require a lower intensity light, while larger plants will benefit from a more powerful lamp. Adjustable height and hanging options are also useful for ensuring the light can be positioned at the optimal distance from the plants. Some recommended lamps for growing seedlings include the Roleadro LED Grow Light and the Feit Electric Full Spectrum LED Plant Grow Light.

      Reply
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