What lamps for plants are needed in a greenhouse and a room

In winter and early spring, seedlings and indoor flowers suffer from a lack of sunlight. To solve this problem, special lamps for plants are presented on the market, or phytolamps as they are also called. They differ from ordinary lamps in spectrum. Under the influence of their rays, a full-fledged process of photosynthesis is restored in the leaves. This has a beneficial effect on the growth and development of plants. In order not to get confused in the variety of models of such lamps, it is important to understand their features.

Is it possible to do without phytolamp

A plant that does not receive enough light stops developing. At first, it begins to turn yellow, and then completely dies. Therefore, the organization of additional lighting is a prerequisite for obtaining strong seedlings and preserving the beauty of home flowers.

In the past, gardeners used conventional incandescent bulbs. But experiments have shown that their use is completely useless. The rays from such lamps do not affect photosynthesis in any way.

The use of fluorescent lamps turned out to be more effective. Their spectrum is close to that of the sun, because such lamps are often called "fluorescent lamps".

The ideal option is to use phytolamps that generate photons in a certain range. The blue color has a beneficial effect on the development of the root system, stimulates growth. Red - accelerates flowering and ripening of fruits. Therefore, in modern lamps, these two colors are used simultaneously, which allows them to be exploited at all stages of plant development.

How to choose plant lamps and what to focus on

When buying a plant lamp, it is important to pay attention to the following aspects:

1. The device should not have infrared and far red radiation.
2. The luminaire should not get very hot during operation. This can lead to an imbalance in the heat balance and cause burns to the leaves of indoor plants.
3. The device must be easy to install and maintain.
4. If the device is installed in a residential area, it should not negatively affect a person and cause discomfort.
5. In order not to spend a lot of money on electricity, it is better to choose energy-saving lamps.
6. During the period of seed germination and active development of sprouts, a lamp is needed that emits cold light. Warm light can be used to illuminate mature plants. Daylight is recognized as universal and suitable for any phase of plant development.
7. If the plants are located on the surface in a circle, then it is better to purchase lamps that are screwed into a regular cartridge. For other cases, linear luminaires are the most effective.

The lights will have to be left on for 10-12 hours daily. Not all of them cope with such a load with dignity. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase reliable models from brands with a good reputation.

Read also:potato pancakes with minced meat.

Varieties of lamps

The following types of plant lamps are most popular with gardeners and greenhouse owners:

1. Luminescent.
2. Sodium.
3. Induction.
4. Plasma.
5. LED.

Each of these types of devices has its own advantages and disadvantages. To accurately determine the choice, you need to study the features of each of these lamps.

Fluorescent lamps for plants

A fluorescent lamp is an elongated glass bulb filled with mercury vapor. There are also electrodes inside.When connected to the mains, an arcing discharge occurs, causing an ultraviolet glow. In order for the light to be visible to humans, the inner wall of the flask is covered with a phosphor, which begins to glow under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.

Such devices have a number of advantages:

1. Low cost.
2. Profitability.
3. The flask does not heat up during operation.
4. The emitted light is close to natural.

For plants, special fluorescent lamps are used. They emit blue or red light. This effect is achieved by introducing impurities into the phosphor composition.

Among the disadvantages of lamps, their low power is distinguished. It is recommended to install them in pairs to achieve sufficient illumination. Lamps are difficult to ignite at low temperatures, and therefore it is problematic to operate them in unheated greenhouses.

The blue light emitted by such a device negatively affects human vision. Therefore, it is not recommended to use them in residential premises.

Sodium lamps

One of the oldest types of lamps. The lamp is a bulb made of glass with the addition of aluminum oxide. This allows it to withstand heating up to 1200 degrees Celsius. The flask is filled with a mixture of gases and sodium amalgam. There is also another bulb inside the lamp to protect the electrodes. When voltage is applied, the temperature starts to rise. The amalgam heats up and turns into a gaseous state. Under the influence of current, these vapors glow.

Sodium lamps are characterized by a long service life, powerful and stable luminous flux. The lamps emit a yellow-orange glow. It favorably affects the development of plants and does not adversely affect human vision.

For seedlings and indoor plants, it is better to choose sodium lamps with a power of up to 100 watts. One lamp is enough to illuminate 2 square meters of surface. Lamps in a greenhouse should have a wattage of 400 to 600 watts.

The disadvantages of such devices include the high price and attractiveness for insects... In addition, during operation, it is important to ensure that no water gets on the flask.

Induction

A relatively new type of lamps. They are considered the next step in the modernization of fluorescent lamps. Experts talk about the complete safety of such lamps.

The design of the device consists of a glass tube coated with a phosphor. Inside contains mercury amalgam. Under the action of an electric current, it emits ultraviolet radiation, from which the phosphor begins to glow.

The main difference between induction lamps and fluorescent lamps is the absence of electrodes inside. This allows a service life of up to 120,000 hours to be achieved. The device practically does not heat up, which allows it to be placed near plants.

Reliability becomes an important advantage of the device. Voltage drops in the network will not damage the luminaire. The light of an induction lamp is not dangerous for humans, as it does not create flicker. The only drawback of such a device is its high price.

Plasma (PLS) plant lamps

The lamp is a glass bulb filled with argon gas. It also contains a small amount of sulfur and various impurities that affect the color of the emitted rays. A super-high-frequency electric field is created inside the flask using a special generator. Under its influence, the gases inside the device are ionized. When a certain temperature is reached, the gas transforms into a state of plasma emitting light.

Plasma devices do not emit ultraviolet light. They are ideal for home installations.

The disadvantage is the high price. But taking into account their efficiency, the installation of such lamps for plants in greenhouses and greenhouses is advisable.

LED lights

LED plant lamps are the most widely used today.This is due to their affordable price, long service life and low power consumption. Such devices can emit light in any part of the spectrum.

LED lamps have a standard base, and therefore are screwed into a regular holder. Therefore, no additional equipment is required. The device contains no toxic substances, and therefore, even if it breaks, it will not harm human health.

Modern LED lamps for plants allow you to adjust the intensity of the glow. The diodes have blue and red light. Their combination in one device allows you to fully meet all the needs of seedlings and indoor flowers.

To determine for yourself which lamps are better, the table presents their important characteristics.

Popular plant lamp models

There are many models of different lamps on the market that are suitable for supplementary lighting of plants. Among the most popular of them are distinguished.

Health treasure

One of the best diode lamps for plants. Peak waves of red and blue fall at around 640 and 450 nm. This is quite enough for the normal development of seedlings and home flowers. One device is enough to illuminate 0.5 square meters. Available in various wattage: 9 W, 16 W and 30 W.

Lamps Ladder-60

LED luminaire consisting of 14 red and 4 blue diodes. Able to illuminate up to 1 square meter of surface. The wave spectrum is red - 660 nm, blue - 450 nm. You can install such a device both in an apartment and in a greenhouse. Does not require the use of additional emitters. The aluminum alloy body is protected from moisture.

Plant lamps 5630N

The device is equipped with 36 LEDs. It is made in the form of three separate elements, which are interconnected by the supplied connectors. Thanks to this, the luminaire can change shape. Suitable for use in boxes. Lamp power 18 W. The wavelength spectrum of red is 660 nm. Blue - 460 nm. Illuminates up to 1 square meter of area. To connect the device, you need a 12 volt power supply.

Minifarmer Bicolor

The ratio of red and blue LEDs is 4: 1. The beams are mixed with a diffuser. The luminaire has a standard base, and therefore does not require additional devices during installation. It emits 660 nm red and 450 nm blue. Available in 15W and 36W. The service life of such a lamp is 50,000 hours.

WST lamp

It has two modes of operation with different ratios of blue and red colors. The desired style of work is selected based on the type of plants to be illuminated. The power of the device is 35 W. Service life up to 50,000 hours. Supplied with accessories for hanging and table mounting.

Solntsedar D-10 Fito

Russian-made LED lamp. Equipped with 10 diodes. Able to illuminate up to 0.3 square meters. It emits red at 650 nm and blue at 460 nm. The lamp does not heat up and does not cause leaf burns. The lamp can be placed at a distance of 10 - 60 cm from plants.

Uniel ULI lamps

A series of LED luminaires of different power from 10 to 35 W. The largest model in this series is capable of illuminating up to 2.5 square meters of surface. Energy class of all devices is A +.

Lamp Apo Black Sun Edition

This luminaire has 64 LEDs. The power of each of them is 3 W. The power consumption of the entire device is 120 watts. The housing is protected from moisture and dust, but large amounts of water must be avoided.

Navigator 61202 NLL-Fito-A60-10

Differs from competitors in maximum efficiency. Power - 10 W.It emits red light at 660 nm and blue light at 445 nm. The service life of the device is 30,000 hours. The lamp can be used in any premises where the air humidity does not exceed 70%. The lamp has a standard base and can be easily screwed into the socket. Operation of this device in complete darkness is not recommended. The lamp is more suitable for use with other light sources.

When choosing a lamp, you need to focus on the type of plants grown, as well as the planting area.

For seedlings, models on tripods are better suited. They allow you to quickly change the suspension height of the lamp.

How to calculate the required power of phytolamp

Before you go to the store for a phytolamp, you need to calculate the required power. This figure is indicated on the packaging of each lamp. Power is measured in watts. It is easy to determine it by the formula:

Power = Area to be illuminated X Recommended power.

The recommended lamp wattage for plants is based on the type of plant being grown.

You can determine it from the table.

As an example, consider a situation where you need to light plants on a table 1.5 meters long and 0.5 meters wide. Therefore, the area of ​​the illuminated surface is 1.3 * 0.5 = 0.65 m2. Greens are grown, natural light is present. We get that the required power of the lamps is 0.65 * 50 = 32.5 W.

Based on the calculated figure, the type and number of devices is selected. For example, you can install 1 35 W luminaire or several small models.

How to organize lighting correctly

For full-fledged supplementary lighting of plants, it is not enough to purchase a lamp, it still needs to be installed correctly.

It is important to adhere to the following recommendations:

1. The minimum distance between the plant and the light source should be 25 cm.If the device is low-power, it is allowed to reduce this figure to 20 cm.
2. Installing mirror screens at the edges of the window sill or box will help direct the maximum amount of light to the plants.
3. The rays should fall strictly from top to bottom. If the light comes from the side, then the plant perceives this as the approach of night, and, therefore, the processes of photosynthesis begin to slow down.
4. As the plants grow, the lamp must be set higher. But it's important to remember. That at too great a distance, the efficiency of the device decreases.

If the lighting is organized exclusively with the help of lamps, then they must remain on for 12 hours. Seeds that have just hatched can be left in the light for 24 hours. In the presence of natural light, this period can be reduced to 6 hours. You need to turn on the lamps 2 hours before dawn, and turn them off 2 hours after dark.

For large greenhouses and greenhouses, the simultaneous use of different types of lamps is recommended. This will give all plants the required amount of light.

Phytolamp is a necessary equipment for growing strong, healthy seedlings and indoor plants. If you wish, you can make it yourself from separately purchased LEDs. But it is much easier and more efficient to purchase a ready-made device. It is enough to choose the right power and place it correctly over the flowers.

How to choose the right plant lamps - video tutorial