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

• incandescent lamps;
• fluorescent lamps (fluorescent);
• sodium lamps;
• induction technology;
• led strip and lamps.

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

Features of additional seedling lighting

Natural sunlight combines wavelengths of different wavelengths. 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 vegetative period:

1. The red and blue part of the spectrum promotes the production of chlorophyll. This means that seedlings, receiving these waves in the right amount, develop 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 reflects off leaves but is still needed as part of natural light.

The most useful for young shoots are lamps 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 bulbs suitable for seedlings?

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

Advice. With any type of lighting you choose, light screens will help save energy. You can make them yourself by sticking foil or white cardboard on 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 able to provide seedlings with a blue and red spectrum.

Features of lighting with fluorescent lamps

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

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

Cons of this type of lighting:

• low power. At in large numbers seedlings of 1-2 lamps will be few;
• insufficient amount of blue and red spectrum;
• when using fluorescent devices with mercury, they must be used very carefully and properly disposed of.

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

Advantages of sodium lamps

Sodium lamps are mainly used in farm and industrial greenhouses. Light sources with a power of 70 to 100 watts. 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 ordinary sockets without the use of special equipment, choke and pulse ignition device.

The advantages of using such lighting are:

• saving electricity;
• the possibility of using in residential premises, tk. the lamp gives a soft, orange light that does not irritate the human eye;
• the optimal number of waves of the red spectrum;
• durability.

Disadvantages of gas discharge lamps:

• the flasks are quite bulky and will not fit everywhere;
• lamps are quite expensive, and do not pay off when growing a small amount of seedlings;
• do not emit blue spectrum waves;
• the need for 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 light spectrum;
• service life - 100,000 hours;
• the 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.

The leader in popularity - LED strips and lamps

Recently, vegetable growers are increasingly resorting to the use of LED lamps. This tender seedling illumination technology has the largest number Advantages over 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 off after the first harvest;
• lamps consume a minimum and give a maximum of energy. They are very economical;
• small dimensions. Unlike long fluorescent and bulky sodium-vapor LED lamps take up a minimum of space.
• you can buy ready LED lamp(it costs more), or quickly make it yourself using LED strip.

Attention! After the appearance of the first green, it is optimal to use more of blue color. Then - turn on the red LEDs (2 red to 1 blue). After the 1st pick, you need to reduce the intensity of lighting. 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.

Based on the analysis of all available information, it can be concluded that LED lamp leading in three positions. First, they have optimal amount red and blue flowers, which can be changed depending on the growing season. Secondly, LEDs are most conveniently used in homes and apartments where there may be little space. Thirdly, LED lights are the most economical option.

How to choose a lamp for seedlings - video

Plant lamps are an opportunity to compensate for the lack of light, which is especially important in the autumn winter period. After all, even if you put the plants on south side at home (which is far from always possible), the duration of the natural daylight hours, especially in the northern regions, will be completely insufficient for the normal development of flowers or seedlings. For the full development of some plants, the daylight hours must be at least 15 hours, otherwise the flowers begin to hurt - flowering stops, growth slows down, the leaves wither and turn yellow, which can lead to their complete death. Phytolamps, an artificial substitute for the sun, prolong daylight hours, create optimal conditions for raising pets.

Artificial lighting will help compensate for the lack of natural light

V industrial environment phytolamps often completely replace natural light - by adjusting the lighting mode (as well as by adjusting climatic conditions), it is possible to control the process of development and maturation of plants as accurately as possible.

Light: how important it is for plants

Light is an important component of plant life, because a plant (more precisely, its dry weight) consists of 45% carbon obtained from air. At the same time, the process of carbon assimilation - photosynthesis, occurs only with the participation of light, the intensity of photosynthesis is influenced by many external factors, but the main one is still the intensity of light.

First of all, young plants and shoots suffer from a lack of illumination - their leaf plates become pale, unsaturated, and their size becomes smaller. Their stem and internodes stretch, and the plant itself leans / stretches towards the light source. In addition, there are other signs (Fig. 1):

• plant growth slows down
• the formation of new buds stops, old flowers gradually die off, with a large deficit of light, flowering may stop completely

• at variegated species is lost decorative painting, they become monotone green
• the lower leaves dry up and fall off

Rice. one.
The main signs of insufficient lighting.

However, to say “light” is not entirely correct - the flora perceives the spectral components in different ways:

• red (wavelength from 600 to 720 nm) and orange (from 595 to 620 nm) are the most important and necessary radiation ranges for a plant, they supply the energy that is necessary for photosynthesis. In addition, they affect the rate of plant development, for example, an overabundance of orange and red rays makes it possible to delay the transition to flowering, which is important if, for example, bulbs are forced out by a certain date.
• violet and blue (range 380-490 nm) - also take a direct part in photosynthesis. They are needed, first of all, for the formation of protein, and also affect the growth of the plant. Plants that are in natural conditions grow in conditions short day, at home cultivation bloom faster under the influence of the violet-blue part of the spectrum
• ultraviolet rays (range 315-380 nm) do not allow plants to "stretch", and are necessary for the synthesis of certain vitamins. Other beams in this range (wavelength 280-315 nm) help to increase the cold tolerance of plants
• waves of green (490-565 nm) and yellow (565-595 nm) are not as important for plant development

That is why, when organizing additional lighting or artificial lighting of plants, it is necessary to take into account their needs only in a certain part of the spectrum.

Advice! In order not to disturb the "biological clock" of the plant, it is better to turn on artificial lighting at 7-8 o'clock in the morning, and turn it off, after maintaining the required daylight hours, at 20-22 hours.

Connecting the timer to electrical circuit help to adjust to the "biological clock" of plants

Lamps for plants: which ones to choose

The modern market is filled with a wide variety of phytolamp models, we will evaluate how suitable they are for organizing and correcting plant lighting at home so that your flora receives the most favorable conditions at minimal cost.

Incandescent lamps

To date, it is an absolutely unacceptable option for illuminating plants. Firstly, their spectrum completely lacks blue spectrum waves, which are very important for the photosynthesis process. Secondly, these lamps get very hot, so when placed close to plants, they can cause heat burns on sheet plates. Thirdly, lamps of this type have a very low (only about 5%) efficiency. And although the lamp itself is quite cheap, with prolonged use it will cause high electricity costs.

Advice! The option of using an incandescent lamp is in small greenhouses, along with a fluorescent lamp, which has little red light in the spectrum, plus it will provide additional air heating.

Fluorescent

Unlike incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps they practically do not heat up, therefore they do not affect the temperature in the room, therefore they are more suitable for illuminating plants. They have a high light output (although it tends to decrease over time), they are relatively inexpensive and use little energy. Fluorescent phytolamps are especially effective for illuminating large plantings; for installation, for example, on a windowsill, they are poorly suited, primarily because of their size.

Fluorescent lighting for gorgeous orchids

Ordinary fluorescent (so-called "daylight") lamps, in which the red waves are very weak, are poorly suited for highlighting plants. It is better to purchase specialized lamps, thanks to the coating on the glass bulb, they give a spectrum that is closest to that which the plant needs.

Advice! The use of lamps with directional reflectors can increase efficiency by 25-30%.

Fluorescent lamps also include mercury lamps, which are similar in principle of operation, but have a significantly larger red component in the spectrum. True, with more power, they also differ in greater power consumption.

energy saving

In essence, these are the same fluorescent phytolamps, but more compact - they do not require a special choke to be connected, because their design provides for their own, built-in choke. Therefore, all that is needed to connect such a light bulb is to screw it into a standard socket. Another distinct advantage is energy-saving lamps they consume much less (if we take fluorescent or incandescent lamps for comparison) electricity and have a much longer (up to 15 thousand hours) service life.

Energy-saving phytolamps are of three types:

• "cold"- cold spectrum accelerates the germination and development of seedlings during active vegetative growth
• "warm"- best suited for highlighting plants during flowering
• "daytime"- they can be used at any time, using as an independent (additional) source of illumination for the duration of the entire plant cycle.

sodium

The sodium lamp is one of the most efficient light sources in terms of light output. It is economical, highly efficient (one medium-power phytolamp is enough to illuminate plants on a 1.5 m long window sill), durable (up to 20 thousand hours of operation) and easy to operate, while its main radiation falls on the orange and red part of the spectrum. In combination with a sufficient amount of blue waves, a sodium lamp can significantly improve the growth and accelerate the flowering of the plant. The disadvantages include high cost and large dimensions, so sodium lamps are often used to create a comfortable light regime v winter gardens- only one ceiling lamp power of 220W can illuminate enough large area. In addition, sodium lamps require special disposal, because they contain mercury vapor, xenon and sodium.

LED lamp

LED or LED lamps are the most acceptable option in all respects for creating a light regime for plants:

• they have the lowest power consumption and high efficiency
• long resource - the operation of one LED lamp can last up to 50 thousand hours

LED lamps in "smart lighting"

• compact dimensions, special LED phyto tapes can be used to illuminate plants on shelves or niches, as well as those grown on

• high safety and complete environmental cleanliness
• LED lamps can only produce useful spectrum waves (red, blue, orange), which allows, on the one hand, to reduce energy consumption due to the absence of the generation of "extra" waves, on the other hand, to really regulate the development of the plant, slowing down or speeding it up, which is especially important in the industrial cycle

In addition to choosing the type of phytolamp, it is very important to choose its power correctly - at least 70 watts should fall on 1 m 2 of the illuminated area. In addition, it should be taken into account that the closer the lamp is brought closer to the plant, the greater and more complete the illumination effect will be. But it should be taken into account negative impact thermal radiation, so optimal distance- about 20-25 cm.

Advice! Since LED luminaires generate practically no heat, they can be installed even lower.

In order for the plant to bloom profusely, develop well, it needs a sufficient amount of sunlight. This is needed for natural process photosynthesis - in the plant there is a synthesis of carbohydrates, which are involved in the process of their growth and development. V summer period the time when houseplants receive the required amount sunlight, question about additional lighting does not occur. However, with the onset of winter this problem becomes the most relevant.

Beginning flower growers, as a rule, highlight home plants with ordinary lamps. But it's completely useless. The leaves are still pale, the plants are few and poorly blooming. After all, it is not able to fully replace the color of the sun. In addition, if you highlight the plants through a conventional lamp. In this case, special luminescent

What lighting to choose

During early spring, late autumn and winters when ornamental plants there is not enough sunlight, electric lighting comes to the rescue. Under the influence of their leaves become brighter and greener. And magnificent abundant flowering lasts much longer.

Exists various lamps for plants, how to choose the most suitable option?

For a successful year-round cultivation must be purchased from a specialized store lighting installation. Their choice is quite extensive. To date, manufacturers offer a variety of lamp-lamps: standing on tripods, wall-mounted, hanging, attached with Velcro and clothespins.

Orange-red and blue-violet rays are considered the most optimal for them. The former promote development. The latter enhance vegetative growth. When choosing fluorescent lamps for plants, it is important to take into account the fact that the blue light energy emitted by the lamp should be a couple of times lower than the red light energy.

It is important to remember that highlighting should be done regularly, and not from time to time. Since periodic lighting can only harm plants, their biorhythms are thus confused.

When choosing a type of lighting for plants, it is important to remember that great importance has not only its intensity, but the emission spectrum. In this case the best option is a spectrum ranging from ultraviolet rays to infrared rays.

Light similar to daylight is given by artificial light sources, but not in the entire spectrum. Everyone knows that chlorophyll is involved in the transformation of light energy into the energy of organic compounds, the best light absorber is the red and blue parts of the spectrum. The plant growth lamp with a red spectrum favors the acceleration of seed germination and the growth of shoots. The growth of green mass at the first stage of plant development is facilitated by blue-violet light.

For plants as light sources, you can use different kinds lamps: incandescent, gas-discharge, light-emitting diodes, and also fluorescent lamps for plants. Currently, the latter option is the most popular.

Standard incandescent lamps are the least suitable for these purposes, since they are characterized by low light intensity, orange, red predominate in their spectrum, and which accelerate vertical growth, plants stretch under such lighting.

Fluorescent lamps for plants are closest to the spectrum of daylight, and, unlike incandescent lamps, they are much more economical. Most of the plants develop well under these lamps.

Fluorescent lamps

Their light matches natural light in addition, they practically do not radiate heat. Most importantly, fluorescent lamps for indoor plants, unlike incandescent lamps, consume 4 times less energy.

Today in stores you can see huge selection data of lighting devices - different power, shape, type of radiation of light waves, type of generated discharge, etc.

It is also worth highlighting energy-saving fluorescent lamps - the most popular and economical.

Distance to plants

Fluorescent lamps must be placed away from decorative deciduous plants at a distance of 30-60 cm, from decorative blooming - 20-30 cm. However, if you use given type lighting as the main one - in chandeliers or sconces, then in this case main principle- not the distance to the lamp, but the sufficiency of light. But if you have 1-2 devices on a large area, then the plants should be placed as close as possible to the lamps, that is, at the distance indicated above.

When the plant is located on one side of the lamp, it is recommended to periodically turn it over.

Specifications

As a rule, fluorescent lamps are used for growing plants of the LBT or LB day type, since they give cold light. Brands such as LDC and LD are unsuitable for such purposes, since their spectrum can only depress the plant.

Depending on the distance and area of ​​​​the illuminated room, the power of the lamp for indoor plants is selected.

How to properly place a plant lighting lamp

In the process of placement, it is important to remember that if you double the distance to the lamp, then you need to quadruple the intensity of lighting on the plant.

If burn marks begin to appear on the leaves, then the light source is too low, pale leaves and elongated stems indicate that the plant growth lamp is too far away.

Lateral artificial lighting can bend the stems towards the light, so it is better to highlight from above.

Lighting duration

Since the primary goal is to increase the daylight hours of the plant, then it is necessary to extend it, depending on the natural daylight hours - in the evening and in the morning for 3-4 hours. As a result, the time should be about 6-8 hours. On particularly cloudy days, it is advisable to turn on the lamps for 12 hours.

It is also worth noting that plants need a dormant period, since forced long flowering in winter, they are significantly depleted. The exception is plants that bloom in winter.

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

Under these conditions, photosynthesis, the basis of green cell life, slows down and our “pets in pots” hardly make it to summer.

About cultivation strong seedlings during this period, you can not dream if you do not take care of artificial lighting beds.

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

What is the best artificial light?

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 best solved 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 that of the sun, and most of energy (95%) is spent on heat generation.

Fluorescent lamps in this regard are more profitable. 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, it is not easy to choose a lamp for illuminating seedlings, as the market has replenished with new types of lamps. Despite the significant difference in design, all these devices are called phytolamps.

What is the fundamental difference between a phytolamp and traditional sources of artificial light? The fact that it generates photons not in a wide, but in a narrow color range, the 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. #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 harmful to green cells (ultraviolet and infrared), but at the same time they 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 stimulate the growth of seedlings and the development of its root system. In the design of most phytolamps, the blue and red glow is combined, which makes them universal sources of artificial light.

For strong seedlings and successful wintering 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 1m2, the power of the device must be at least 70 watts.
• In winter, the natural duration of daylight hours must be increased by 4-5 hours due to artificial lighting.
• Seedlings the first 3-4 days after germination needs round-the-clock lighting. After that, 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 were used earlier than others to illuminate indoor plants and seedlings. Today, manufacturers have learned to change their luminescence spectrum in the range that is optimal for photosynthesis.

The positive qualities of these devices are low price, high light output and energy efficiency. TO weaknesses can be attributed to a low resource (no more than 10,000 hours) and rapid decline the strength of the glow as the "aging" of the lamp. Given this, this type of lighting fixtures is best placed in greenhouses for short-term (3-4 weeks) illumination of seedlings located over a large area.

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

Energy-saving phytolamps (housekeepers)

Modern type of fluorescent lamps. They differ from their predecessors in their compact size, long service life (15,000 hours), built-in choke, and convenient e27-type “bulb” base.

But, experienced growers not happy with them. They prefer linear fluorescent phytolamps.

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

Sodium phytolamps

Economical, durable, characterized by high power and stable luminous flux. The orange-yellow glow they generate is good for 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 illumination of seedlings and flowers on the windowsill) one lamp with a power of not more than 100 watts is enough.

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 fixtures include the high cost of ballasts. Using sodium lamps you need to be careful, because their flasks get very hot (up to + 300C) and, if water drops hit the surface, they can explode.

induction lamps

According to the principle of operation, they are similar to luminescent ones (electric discharge in glass tube initiates the glow of the phosphor). By design, they differ significantly. The induction lamp does not have 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 the lamp with an induction coil decreases minimally over time (about 5%). She is not afraid of power surges and does not flicker during operation. The absence of strong heating of the flask allows you to place induction lamps in close proximity to plants, increasing the intensity of illumination.

Their color reproduction 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 phytolamps, designers did not disregard LEDs. They have many important benefits. 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 sources of phytolight by a long service life (about 50,000 hours) and stable radiation characteristics, little dependent on the period and operating conditions. The heating of the LED module is low, which eliminates the risk of plant burns. Compact placement in one unit with a ballast lamp, the use of a standard "bulb" base simplifies and reduces the cost of their use as a backlight.

The 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 marking of an induction phytolamp:

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

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

For those who want to “break” their heads, understanding the spectral characteristics of phytolight, manufacturers offer to evaluate one more parameter - PAR (PAR). This is an indicator of the photosynthetically active radiation of the lamp. It denotes 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 sufficient illumination for normal development garden seedlings and house plants. Most of our green friends require 8,000 lux (lx). The lamps indicate another value - the 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 creates a luminous flux with a power of 4,800 lumens (lm). Let's say that we installed phyto-lamps with a reflector at a height of 30 cm from the seedlings, as home plant growing experts recommend. 30 centimeters of distance will reduce the power of the luminous flux by 1.3 times and it will be 4800/1.3 = 3692 lm.

Now suppose that the area of ​​the seedling box is 1 m2. To illuminate such a plantation, 8,000 lux x 1.0 m2 = 8,000 lumens are needed.

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 up to a whole number and get 2 lamps.

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

Approximate prices for phytolamps and fixtures

The average cost (for 2016) of the Osram Fluora luminescent phytolamp, popular with flower growers, with a power of 36 W, is 700-900 rubles. A lamp equipped with such a lamp can be bought for 4,000-4,500 rubles.

An LED lamp of the same power, designed to illuminate 1m2, can be purchased for 2000-3300 rubles. The higher price of an LED lamp in this case is not an argument against buying it, since for equivalent illumination of the same surface (1m2) you will have to buy 4 fluorescent lamps.

Since the LED lamp is more suitable for spot lighting, it is more profitable to buy a linear one for growing seedlings. lighting fixture. As an example, the hermetic LED lamp Solntsedar-P Fito with a power of 40 W can be mentioned. Its estimated price is 6400 rubles. With a length of 1.25 meters, it gives the necessary amount of light for seedlings on an area of ​​​​1 m2 (in total darkness).

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

Estimated 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 phytolamp with your own hands

A home master is able to 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 pieces (light wavelength 445 nm);
• red - 10 pieces (660 nm);
• white - 1 pc;
• green - 1 pc.

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

On the reverse side radiators fix the fan from the computer system unit.

There is a lot different opinions swirling around the topic of choosing the right plant for growing. This is partly due to the recent arrival of a new type of light source in the industry, the LED or Light Emitting Diode (LED). Now, with their appearance, more than half a dozen various technologies lights are vying desperately for our attention, approval and, of course, our wallet.

What kind of light do plants need?

The best light for plants is sunlight. Unexpected, right? But they did not just go through all this long path of evolution.

When choosing lighting for plants, we must remember: they need all the energy of sunlight, and not just the radiation spectrum that we see.

In particular, this means that plants are very fond of ultraviolet, unlike normal people who try to avoid it - ultraviolet radiation is not very good for the skin and eyes. Lamp manufacturers, of course, take this into account and try to make their products as safe as possible for home use. As a result, in artificial light of those lamps that you buy for your loved one, there is practically no very needed by plants part of the radiation.

Plants must also receive more light, located at the other end of the visible spectrum, and even slightly beyond it. The fact is that they use these parts of the spectrum for different purposes.

Blue light and ultraviolet (cold light) needed for plant growth - compact and dense. Sprouts that lack radiation in this part of the spectrum are tall and thin. They seem to be trying to escape from the shadow of the forest canopy in order to get a little bit of the good old ultraviolet.

Orange, red and infrared - that is warm light - necessary for flowering. If your houseplants are not blooming as well as you would like, try giving them more light from that range.

Why is this happening? Remember what light from the Sun is in the spring, when the first sprouts break through, and at the height of summer, when the plants bloom and produce seeds.

What do plants dislike?

Plants don't need too much heat. You have probably burned yourself more than once about a light bulb that has not yet had time to cool down. Light sources are very hot, and this can greatly harm the plant. Of course, it will get more energy being closer to the lamp, but it will burn out rather than grow into something useful. Therefore, when using light sources that produce a lot of heat, do not forget about cooling. Sometimes a simple fan is enough to move air between the plant and the lamp.

Plants don't need round-the-clock lighting either - most of them will thank you for at least six to eight hours spent in complete darkness every day. If you don't want to babysit them, buy a timer.

Where is the timer?! Tell me where is he? You wouldn't give it to a man in the crowd!

So, which lamps are suitable for lighting plants?

incandescent lamp. Strictly no. Too much heat, not enough light and no UV at all. In addition, poor light output and short term services will negatively affect the state of your wallet. Forget about incandescent lamps forever.

Full spectrum incandescent lamps. Yes, there are those too. Their light is already more to the liking of plants, but the rest of the shortcomings inherent in conventional incandescent lamps have not gone away. And yes, they are significantly more expensive. All in all, a very bad investment.

Compact fluorescent lamps. That is, the usual so-called energy-saving? No, their spectrum is not very natural for humans, and even more so for plants. In addition, the magnitude of their luminous flux leaves much to be desired.

Full Spectrum Compact Fluorescent Lamps better for cultivation. But, firstly, you will need at least two types of them: with cold temperature glow for the period of growth of your plants, and with warm - for their flowering. Secondly, the lamps must be powerful enough (50 - 100 honest watts of power consumption), and therefore no longer so compact and energy-saving, less durable and quite expensive.

Standard fluorescent lamps (fluorescent lamps) plants may well like it because of the significant amount of ultraviolet emitted, but the shift of light to the blue region is likely to adversely affect flowering.

Full spectrum fluorescent lamps much better suited for plants, but we still recommend that you definitely check how much light they produce in the red and infrared ranges.

For such lamps, there are special lamps with a reflector that can be hung above the plants, forming long continuous lines of light over the beds. But this option is more suitable for those who have a well-established sales market or have a bunch of friends who cannot live a day without dill or parsley.

LEDs. Ordinary ones fly by - too little radiation at the edges of the spectrum.

Special LED grow lights — advanced technology not yet well studied. But it looks very tempting. For two reasons. First, scientists continue to work on improving the spectrum emitted by LEDs and claim the possible applicability of LEDs to any task when using the right additives to the phosphor. Secondly, LEDs are compact, and therefore convenient for mounting or changing the lighting configuration. On the other hand, such solutions are not cheap. Creating an array of LEDs to light plants can hit your wallet hard.

If money is not a problem for you, then indoor gardening professionals recommend:

• Metal halide lamps(MGL), which have a strong bias towards the cold and ultraviolet part of the spectrum, providing light for compact and dense plant growth.
• Sodium lamps high pressure (DNaT, DNaZ), emitting a lot of red visible light and a small amount of light from other parts of the spectrum, to stimulate flowering plants.

It is worth considering that these lamps produce a lot of heat, so the use of special lamps and devices for removing hot air is vital for your green pets.

There are also combined or hybrid luminaires that use both types of lamps - metal halide and HPS. This perfect solution for those who do not like to mess around with reconnecting and reconfiguring lighting on different stages growing plants.

That, perhaps, is all. Which home growing lamps are right for you? It depends on your needs, preferred plant varieties and budget.