When to turn on the seedling lamp. Lamps for illuminating seedlings: types, features and effects of different spectra. What I took into account when looking for phytolamps

To speed up the growth of seedlings at home, you can use special lamps to illuminate seedlings. Such lamps are called phytolamps, because they have a specific spectrum of light that has the maximum effect on the plant.

Fitolamps produce the following types: energy-saving or fluorescent, induction, sodium and the most modern - LED.

Illumination of plants with a phytolamp

How does lighting affect seedlings?

Illumination for seedlings is necessary to ensure the stable development of plants, flowers, fruit bushes. Good illumination is an important condition for seed germination, formation of leaves, stems, ovaries. With an insufficient amount of sunlight, the photosynthesis apparatus of seedlings ceases to function, and the growth of the root system and leaves slows down. The stems can begin to stretch, bend, twist. Plant immunity is disturbed, seedlings lose their quality characteristics, which subsequently affects yields and fruit sizes.

Lamp light spectrum

Lamps for additional lighting have different color spectra:

red;
blue;
violet;
yellow;
green.

The presence of red spectrum lamps in the device increases the germination of seed material. At further development bush, the shade of the spectrum contributes to the harmonious development of the variety, the stable growth of the stem, branches and leaves.

Spectrum of light most influencing plant growth

The colors of the spectrum blue and violet help the formation of cells, increase the rate of their division. Shades of blue scale in the lighting phytodevice prevent stems from stretching, the plant harmoniously forms the shape of the crown. The stems acquire the necessary density and thickness. Cold gamma contributes to the harmonious growth of ornamental plant varieties.

The shades of the spectrum green and yellow are designed to balance other colors in the agrolamp, because. reduce the harmful effects of infrared, ultraviolet light bulbs.

When deciding which phytolamp is optimal for growing seedlings, it is important to consider that it is not recommended to use 1 color of the spectrum. It is necessary to combine several tones for a complex effect on the stems and leaves in different periods development. The range of intensity of shades may vary depending on the type of plant, season.

When choosing a lamp for seedlings, it is important to determine the design and dimensions of the device, the backlight power, efficiency, and the presence of a reflector.

1 lux = 1 lumen / 1 square meter

In the description of lamps, you can often find lumens and lux. People often confuse these units of measurement. Lumens measure the amount of light emitted by a lamp. Lux is a measure of the degree of illumination of an object. In fact, everything is simple, for example, there is a lamp emitting 1000 lumens, if you place it above a table with an area of 1 square meter, at such a distance that all of its light falls on the table, then the illumination of the table will be about 1000 lux.

https://youtu.be/D6CTieFfFAQ

Can incandescent lamps be used?

Incandescent devices are not suitable as a lamp for illuminating seedlings; special devices for germinating and forming leaves and stems are suitable. Bushes illuminated by standard lamps will not be able to form, acquire immunity sufficient to move into open ground.

Incandescent lamps are also not recommended due to uneconomical energy consumption. The luminous flux accounts for no more than 4.6%, thermal energy - about 95%. When using incandescent lamps, seedling burns are possible. The spectral characteristics of the devices also do not correspond to those recommended for seed germination, leaf and branch development.

What types of phytolamps are there?

Manufacturers produce phytolamps for seedlings:

luminescent;
energy saving;
induction;
sodium;
LED.

Energy saving or fluorescent lamps

Energy-saving lamps are a type of fluorescent. The devices are compact, have a high performance (at least 15,000 hours), are equipped with a built-in choke and an E27 type base that is easy to install. Devices can work several seasons, are economical, safe in operation. Ultraviolet lamps are placed at a distance of at least 15-30 cm from seedlings.

Fluorescent Lamp

Specialists prefer to use standard daylight fluorescent lamps with a linear design in arranging a place for plants. The light output of energy-saving type devices is less due to the twisted tube. Luminescent devices are distinguished by affordable cost, economical power consumption.

However, the devices produce light of the pink-lilac spectrum, which adversely affects the eyesight; in the apartment, the devices should be supplemented with a mirror screen. It is necessary to take into account the small amount of working time of the lamps (10,000 hours), the decrease in the intensity of the glow when the majority of the shelf life is reached. Devices are recommended for greenhouses and additional illumination of bushes for a period of up to 3-4 weeks.

induction lamps

Induction lamps are used to illuminate plants. The devices are based on the principle of operation of luminescent devices, but differ in design solutions. The induction lamp does not have electrodes inside. The induction lamp includes a phosphor-coated tube, an induction coil, a magnetic ring, and a current generator. The device has a long shelf life (60,000 hours). When working 12 hours a day, the lamps can function for about 15-20 years. The decrease in light intensity in the device is insignificant (5%).

induction lamp

Devices are not damaged by power surges. The flask does not heat up during prolonged operation, the devices can be placed next to the seedlings. The color rendition of devices is similar to natural solar. Manufacturers produce models for greenhouse structures, universal use, for seed germination and fruit ripening. Light useful for plant growth reaches more than 95%. The disadvantage of the devices is the high price.

Sodium lamps

sodium lamp

Sodium lamps are budgetary, economical in energy consumption, emit warm colors. The devices are designed for operation for several seasons, allow you to adjust the power of the luminous flux for different types plants. Devices produce even illumination, allow you to create conditions for the stabilization of photosynthesis. Lamps are expensive.

LED lamp

LED lamps for phytoluminaires have a long service life, products are of high quality, economical in energy consumption. If necessary, round-the-clock illumination of plants is allowed. The advantage of LEDs lies in an even light with a full spectrum of shades in the required proportion (multispectrum). Bicolor varieties are also produced.

LED lamp

The devices are compact, ergonomic, easy to install, and light in weight. A large number of devices can be placed in a limited area. Phytolamps are characterized by an extended service life, LEDs work more than 50,000 hours. The characteristics of the luminous flux do not decrease over time. The lamps do not heat up, there is no risk of burning foliage, stems.

How to highlight seedlings?

When installing lighting on the windowsill, it is important to follow the recommendations of device manufacturers and the standard requirements for creating artificial lighting for seedlings:

the direction of the light source must be done from top to bottom, to match the sun's rays;
phytolamp is located at a distance of 25-40 cm to seedlings;
for 1 m² of space, the optimal power of the device is at least 70 W;
in winter, it is necessary to increase the illumination to 4-5 hours using sodium or LED backlighting;
when growing seedlings, round-the-clock illumination is necessary for up to 3-4 days, then daylight hours are reduced to 14-16 hours;
it is important to follow the schedule of day and night changes when plants are illuminated;
it is forbidden to install devices on tubs, trays for seedlings, because the location will damage the even growth of the stems;
an indicator of the remote placement of the lighting device is elongated stems, a soft shade of foliage, it is recommended to bring the device closer to 1/3;
flowers need at least 14 hours of light per day;
during periods of rain, snowy winters, it is important to increase the illumination time of plants.

In accordance with the parameters of heat tolerance, plants are divided into the following groups:

1,000 - 3,000 lux is optimal for varieties growing in partial shade that require illumination away from foliage. The group includes spurge, agave, calathea, ficus, dracaena.
3,000 - 4,000 lux are recommended for bushes that develop under a diffused type of lighting. The power of the devices is suitable for seedlings of pepper, cactus, gardenia, camellia, begonia, palm and tea crops.
4000 - 6000 lux are suitable for varieties that develop in direct sunlight. The selection of crops includes legumes, pomegranate, hibiscus, gerbera, mimosa, chrysanthemum.
6000 - 12000 lux are optimal for exotic plants, bushes with fruits. Cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers. The list of crops recommended for illumination includes roses, eucalyptus, jasmine, cacti, citruses, olives.

To grow healthy seedlings, you need to properly organize the lighting. There are situations when daylight does not make up for all the needs of sprouts in light. To solve this problem, a phytolamp for plants is used. The purchase and installation of the structure must be made in advance. Then the seedlings will receive the correct initial development.

Every plant needs natural light. It provides the necessary energy, the process of photosynthesis proceeds successfully.

Illumination for seedlings is obligatory in winter, when daylight is not so active and short-lived. The lack of additional lighting will negatively affect seedlings. The sprouts will not receive proper nutrition, they will become weak, elongated.

The principle of the sun's influence is that it acts on the Earth with light energy, which consists of segments of electromagnetic waves of different lengths (photons). The viewed white beam is decomposed into color photons (spectra). They differ in wave length:

red spectrum - the longest wavelength (700 nm) affects photosynthesis, growth of the deciduous system;
blue and violet spectrum - the shortest wavelength (400 nm) affects the formation of a full-fledged stem.

Optimum illumination is represented by an indicator of 8000 lux. Phytolamps for seedlings of proven quality fully cope with this task.

For good nutrition connection of the device is carried out several times a day. Especially in cloudy weather.

Can you use incandescent bulbs

There are tips on how to choose the right artificial lighting for seedlings. Often gardeners ignore them, using seedlings for growing. But a full-fledged plant with a strong trunk and deciduous system will not work. Color spectra are not emitted in the right volume.

Second negative side using an incandescent lamp - a large need for electricity. Up to 5% of all released energy is spent on the luminous flux, and the rest is spent on thermal radiation.

Proximity to the leaves of the seedlings of an incandescent lamp will lead to burning of the sprouts.

What are the requirements for additional lighting

The characteristics of additional illumination are: duration, intensity level. The second indicator depends on: what power is the lamp for seedlings, at what distance is it from the plant. To set the correct distance you need:

turn on the lamp;
place your hand over the seedlings;
if strong heat is felt, the distance increases.

The duration depends on the type of seedling. For example, tomatoes need lighting up to 17 hours, peppers - 13 hours.

If the distance between the lamp and the sprouts is increased, then the light can scatter to the sides, which often interferes with the inhabitants of the room. To avoid this, foil is used as a light directivity limiter. This method will help direct the entire light flux to the culture.

If the weather allows and the opportunity, then you can briefly pamper the plant with direct exposure to solar radiation.

What types of phytolamps exist

Phytolamps of the following types are produced: , luminescent, induction, LED, sodium.

The first type is a variation of the second. The form is compact, the performance is from 15,000 hours, they have a choke in the structure, a standard E27 base. The product is safe to use and economical.

do not warm up near the air space, are easy to install, so no special skills are required in installation, replacement. The disadvantage is that they are low-powered, for one box with seedlings it will take from three pieces. They also produce a small amount of red spectrum radiation.

For growing seedlings, illumination with LBD, LB lamps is used. Such as LD, LDC are not used, as they negatively affect plant growth.

induction option similar to the luminescent principle of operation, but the difference is in the design. The interior of the induction light is not equipped with electrodes. It consists of an induction tube, inside which is a phosphor deposition, an induction coil, a magnetic ring, a current generator. Not affected by voltage drop.

Operating period up to 60,000 hours. That is, when working up to half a day, daily operation will be up to 20 years. In this case, the light intensity will decrease to 5%. This figure is insignificant when compared with other analogues. Also, the positive side is not heating during prolonged use. Therefore, it is permissible to place the lamps close to the sprouts. The luminous flux is similar to natural radiation. Induction structures for greenhouses and home use are produced.

Sodium lamps are more economical, the radiation is warm. Power is adjustable, which is convenient when used for different types of plants. Light spreads evenly, which allows plants to produce all the necessary elements.

LED lamp for seedlings differs in quality, operational term profitability. It is also used with constant (round-the-clock) lighting. Advantages: even, full distribution of light of all emission spectra. Bicolor varieties are produced. Throughout the service, there is no decrease in the luminous flux. Heating of the surface of the leaves does not occur.

Sodium lamps are convenient to use for backlighting, as they have a mirror reflector (Dna3 model) that directs the light in the right direction. Consumes little energy. The radiation does not irritate the eyes, the color is warm, orange-yellow.

Which grow light to choose

Not all lamps are suitable for growing seedlings. Some may be harmful. When buying, you need to take into account power, spectra, efficiency.

In priority lamps with reflectors. It can be both inside her and outside. If the backlight is with such lamps, then additional structures are not required.

The most common for backlighting are:

Fluora (Osram company). Enough light bulbs for 18 watts. To illuminate the window sill up to one meter, one, maximum two light bulbs are used.
LFU-30. One 30 W lamp illuminates an area 70 cm long and 40 cm wide.
Enrich. Does not irritate the eyeball. But it has a thermal effect, which must be taken into account when choosing the distance to the plant. Efficiency up to six months.
Paulmann. Produced in different capacities. Do not heat up. Long service life.
Fitosvet-D. LED look. Used at home, greenhouses.

How to highlight seedlings: instructions

If seedlings are grown at home on a windowsill, then you must follow the rules for creating artificial light:

the light device is installed from above;
depending on the type of lamp, the distance to the sprouts is regulated (25–40 cm);
installation power of less than 70W per 1m2;
in winter, additional lighting with LED or sodium lamps is required;
when backlighting, daytime and nighttime norms must be observed;
for flower seedlings, lighting should not last less than 16 hours.

The table shows the parameters of heat tolerance of plants:

How long does it take to light up

The duration of the backlight depends on the crop being grown and the weather. If the days are cloudy and short, then the illumination time increases. Also, the duration depends on the age of the seedlings. If she just ascended, then round-the-clock lighting is required, then follow the regime.

If the plant began to fold the leaves, then it requires rest, the light can be put out.

When processing seedlings and transplanting, an adaptation period is expected, accompanied by a decrease in the supply of light.

How to install on the windowsill

You can make a backlight for growing seedlings on the windowsill yourself.

Required material:

LED strip white, red, blue spectrum;
adapter or driver;
connectors of the required connector;
base, holder;
aluminum or foil.

Step by step:

the required backlight level is determined (the area, power are taken into account);
the number of LEDs is calculated: the luminous flux is divided by the light bulb power indicated on the package;
the ratio of the spectra is calculated;
plastic can serve as the basis;
a profile is attached to the base;
the diode tape contains special marks for cutting, the required amount is counted from them, the excess is cut off;
attach the tape with double-sided tape;
the power supply is connected by connectors, while observing the polarity;
the lamp is suspended or mounted on a mount;
foil to make reflectors for the correct distribution of light.

Finally

UV lamps for plants are installed as an additional source of light. The installation of the backlight must be carried out taking into account the rules, instructions. Subject to the light regime, the seedlings will be strong, full.

Did you understand the instructions? Leave your comments, share the article on social networks.

One of the biggest frustrations faced, especially by novice gardeners who decide to grow seedlings for planting on their own, are weak, thin and completely unviable plants. Such embarrassment happens even if all agrotechnical requirements are met. The main reasons for this are the lack of sunlight and short daylight hours.

Some varieties of flowers and vegetables require sowing in the dead of winter, January-February. It is at this time that germinated seeds need much brighter light than a window facing the south or east side of the house can give them.

The only way to prevent long-legged growth early in the growing season and produce full-bodied, healthy specimens for planting is to use supplemental light for seedlings.

The need for additional light

An additional lighting system is the main driving force behind the growth of all plants, because it will directly affect the growth rate, plant health in the future and the final yield. That is why additional lighting should be given the closest attention.

Too intense lighting different stages development of the plant can lead to stunted growth and damage to sensitive seedlings.

There are many ways to supplement lighting that promote plant growth, but the key to finding the best is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency. Inconsistency on early stages growth can lead to a variety of problems later on.

Let's start with the fact that people and plants "see" the light in different ways, and the color temperature has a different effect on our "green friends":

Do you use additional lighting for seedlings?

YesNot

Cold light (blue or violet spectrum)

It activates the processes of photosynthesis and increases the rate of cell division. In other words, under the influence of cold light, the seedlings do not stretch and do not reach for the light source, they retain their shape, the stem becomes thick and dense.

Warm light (red spectrum)

It activates the process of seed germination, becoming a kind of green traffic light for them, encourages growth and vertical development.

Cold light is best for vegetative growth, while warm light is good for stimulating plants to produce flowers and fruits.

It is very important to leave the lights on for about 16 hours a day, giving the plants eight hours of "rest"

In addition to the blue and red spectrum, there is also green and yellow. Plants use them, but only to balance cold and warm light.

On the outdoors The duration of light varies by region and season. For example, the farther from the equator, the "shorter" winter days (several hours of daylight).

When growing seedlings indoors, we control the duration of the light by turning it on and off. And here it is important to observe one very important rule, namely, leave the backlight on for about 16 hours a day, giving the plants eight hours of "rest".

Seedlings of peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, with a long growing season, it is recommended to illuminate 8-14 hours a day. Green crops (lettuce, basil, dill, green onions) - from 8 to 11 hours a day, hard plants (celery, radish, parsley) - from 12 to 16 hours a day.

It is useful for most plants to “rest” for a while with the lights off. During this time, they use some of the day's energy to stimulate growth.

Certain plants require specific periods of daily rest in the dark to initiate flower buds or root growth.

Basic requirements for additional lighting

Additional lighting during the short winter days is a natural mood booster for plants.

Window panes do not let in ultraviolet, but it is simply necessary for plant photosynthesis. If it is possible to pamper the seedlings with the sun's rays without harming them, then pamper them!

Types of lamps for lighting seedlings

For stable plant growth, it is not enough just to turn on a lamp or table lamp. Firstly, not all lamps will equally benefit seedlings and have the proper result, and secondly, some may, on the contrary, harm.

Incandescent or halogen lamps are not suitable for growing seedlings because they give off too much heat.

It is difficult for garden pioneers to determine which of the lamps will best suit the needs of plants, so we suggest that you familiarize yourself with a short "guide" to them.

Fluorescent lamps

In everyday life they are known as fluorescent lamps or LBT for short. Perhaps the most popular assistants for gardeners in the winter, from lighting during seed germination to extending daylight hours for seedlings.

Lamps with a shifted spectrum towards ultraviolet have a beneficial effect on the development of the root system of plants.

For a large number seedlings it is better to use several lamps at once

They have a number of advantages:

favorable price and compact size;
diffused light and high light output;
a wide range of shades (blue, red, white);
long period of work;
economical energy consumption;
minimum heat transfer;
safety in use.

Fluorescent lamps have low power, so for a large number of seedlings it is better to use several lamps at once, and this will already be economically unprofitable. In addition, in order for the plants to receive the necessary amount of light and the red spectrum of radiation, the distance to them should be as close as possible (20-25 cm), and in order to have a greater effect, “barricades” are created around the seedlings from foil or other reflective materials.

If you still opted for fluorescent lamps, do not save on the purchase and purchase a phytolamp with a selective lighting spectrum.

Phytoluminescent lamps

They work, as a rule, in the blue and red spectrum, are close to natural light, highly efficient and cost-effective.

For example, mirror lamp Enrich, Fitosvet-D, Camelion Bio. Among the shortcomings of such lamps, it is worth noting the lilac-pink light emitted by them, which negatively affects human vision and is irritating, especially when you stay in a room with such lighting for a long time.

Sodium lamps

Suitable for lighting small farms and large agricultural holdings. They do an excellent job of replacing natural sunlight, due to their high light and heat output, they have enough long term services.

At home, they are used extremely rarely, due to high temperatures bulb, contact with water droplets may cause the lamp to explode. In addition, there are mercury vapors in the flask, and in case of damage, this threatens with a catastrophe. The lamps have a high heat dissipation and, if placed close, can burn the delicate greenery of the seedlings.

Fluorescent lamps are highly efficient and cost effective

LED light sources

When illuminating domestic plants, gardeners are increasingly using LED phytolamps, which in turn are divided into three groups:

When purchasing a full spectrum luminaire, look for lamps with the addition of white light, which are also suitable for rooms where people live, without the use of any protective measures.

Advantages of LED lamps:

economical consumption of electricity;
long service life;
compact size;
spectrum of light-emitting diodes assimilated by plants;
high level of light output;
low heat dissipation;
hermetic protection cases and environmental friendliness of lamps;
the possibility of repair.

Choose LED bulbs with a minimum 1 year warranty.

Despite the significant advantages, LED lamps still have disadvantages. The leading position is occupied by the high cost of high-quality LED products. In second place is the dominance of the market with cheap and low-quality LED products. Well, we will give the third place to the degradation of the crystal, which from year to year loses its brightness.

A wide range of products allows you to mount lighting fixtures directly above plants on suspensions (from 20 to 45 cm, depending on the crop and lamp power), on swivel arms, or overhead to a wall or glass.

seedling rack

Placing a large number of seedlings on the windowsills is extremely inconvenient due to piling up and the inability to open windows for ventilation. Therefore, if you are annually engaged in seasonal seedling cultivation in at home, a collapsible rack would be a good option for you. This is a temporary structure, which has a fairly compact size both in prefabricated and collapsible form.

Collapsible racks can be placed both on the floor in the room and on the window.

Racks made of metal corners with perforation are the best option. Firstly, they are durable, and secondly, with easy assembly / disassembly. In addition, the shelves can always be easily adjusted to the height of the plants as they grow.

As a backlight, select fluorescent or LED lamps according to the size of the rack.

An economical version of seedling lighting can be constructed from a combination of incandescent and daylight.

Whatever type of additional lighting you choose, do not forget to install reflective screens made of foil or mirrors.

Even with minimal skills, you can pick up a master class for yourself on the Internet and design a small rack from a wooden beam or a combination of a metal base and plastic, wooden or plexiglass shelves.

The phytolamp can be assembled independently, especially according to the most simplified scheme from a blue and red LED strip or LED lamps of similar colors, the cartridges of which are fixed on a piece of chipboard or a metal profile. Don't forget to install a reflector that will maximize the light received by the plants and control the heat from the lamps.

In the spring, immediately after a long winter, gardeners “wake up” along with nature.

And right there, throughout the country, mass harvesting of seedlings and the cultivation of favorite plants begins.

It is no secret that for their more effective growth, special phytolamps have long been used. Let's take a closer look at all the nuances of such lamps and lamps for them.

We will find out what type of lamp is better to choose in certain conditions, how to correctly calculate the required power, and at what distance to place such a backlight.

What is a phytolamp

To begin with, it does not hurt to briefly recall what phyto-lighting is. A phytolamp is a specialized light source, the spectrum of which is most favorable for the processes of photosynthesis and plant growth.

Its efficiency is an order of magnitude higher than conventional room lighting, and even natural sunlight.

It is known from physics that light is a whole spectrum of waves that differ in length from ultraviolet to almost infrared radiation.

So, photosynthesis in plants directly depends on which wave from which length you will shine on it.

There are only two such most effective waves.

The first of them is in the range of 440-455 Nm. This is the blue spectrum.

The second wave occupies the corridor 640-660nm (red spectrum).

It is from here that “blue and red” light bulbs and LEDs useful for greenery appear. More details on this issue can be found at the link below.

Plants, unlike the human eye, "see" both ultraviolet and infrared radiation.

Proceeding from this, smart heads introduced such a thing as photosynthetic active radiation. Abbreviated as FAR.

It is this criterion that often needs to be looked for on the packages of phytolamps. The useful amount of light that hits your plants depends on it.

After all, any light bulb, in addition to direct light, also emits a certain amount of heat.

Thanks to this, by the way, with a certain ingenuity, from simple incandescent lamps, you can easily make a cheap and economical infrared heater.

Many people, choosing phytolamps in stores, are mistaken, asking out of habit, first of all, about lumens and lux.

However, lumens and lux are primarily important to the human eye. They measure the brightness of the lamp, which we clearly distinguish.

And in PARs, the power of light in relation to photosynthesis is measured.

That is, simplifying all of the above, bulbs for plants and seedlings should be either red or blue, and often both at the same time.

And secondly, they must have a certain power, both in HEADLIGHTS and in watts. These two parameters are the most important.

The choice of the spectrum of phytolamps

Blue or red light from a light bulb indicates a certain spectrum. What spectrum of phytolamps is suitable in one case or another, for specific plants?

Let's look at combinations of different spectra and determine which plants are best illuminated in this way.

When mixing red and blue in one led lamp, bicolor models are obtained.

Illumination with such a spectrum is favorable for:

seedlings

greenery

supplementary illumination of already adult flowering plants, provided that they are also illuminated by sunlight

If you combine red + blue + warm white in one lamp, you get a multispectrum.

Multispectral lamps are suitable for supplementary lighting:

indoor flowers

flowering and fruiting plants

plants with dense foliage

Fitolamps with a wide spectrum, but with peaks in the blue and red zone, are called Full Spectrum (full spectrum).

They are favorable for growing:

complete light culture without sun (e.g. in a grow box)

for any universal application (seedlings, flowers, vegetables, etc.)

In winter, they can illuminate flowers, in spring - seedlings. True, their effectiveness is slightly less than that of bicolor, but this still affects growth for the better.

However, such light sources have one drawback. Full spectrum lamps are not recommended to be placed in rooms where people are constantly present.

Such light is very irritating to the eyes and affects vision.

There are also more sensitive models - Fullx2. They have added white light.

This factor reduces bad influence full spectrum. FullX2 are good for highlighting flowers during flowering.

Lamp type and shape

To date, the two most common form factors of phytolamps are:

in the form of linear lamps

Both fluorescent and LED.

and LED bulbs for a cartridge with an E27 base

Before you buy this or that lamp or fixture, decide how you will place the plants under them.

The efficiency of lighting will largely depend on this.

Plants can be placed:

rectangle

around

square

For a rectangle, it is natural that the best option there will be a linear lamp.

If you have a square or a circle, then take a phytolamp chambered for E27.

What is the maximum area you can illuminate with one such phytolamp? Here everything will depend on its power.

for 15W - the illumination diameter will be up to half a meter

36W phytolamp - illuminates a circle of 70-80cm

Therefore, if you have few plants, then feel free to take a 15-watt light bulb.

If there are more of them, then already look towards more powerful models.

However, it still plays a role where you have these same plants or seedlings. When placed on a window sill, it is recommended to choose lamps of 15W.

With the dimensions of the window sill as in the figure below, only three pieces are enough for you.

But if you grow plants on shelves, with a maximum distance between them of up to 0.5 m, then round models will not be so good here.

Buy linear phytolights here.

You can pick them up in a variety of lengths.

By the way, they are convenient for lighting on the windowsill too. With its length of about 1m, you will need one or two linear bulbs, 82-100cm long.

And if your plants are not at home, but in a greenhouse? Which lamp to choose then?

Calculation of power for phytolamps

Regarding the choice of power (the one in watts). What is the best way to calculate it?

Here, use the following sequence.

1 First of all, determine the type of plant that will be illuminated by the fitolamp:

with flowers and fruits

no flowers and no fruits

2 Location.

Will there be enough natural sunlight? bright room, window sill) or it will not be at all.

3 Calculation of the illumination area.

When lighting a light bulb with an E27 base, this is usually a circle. Its area is calculated by a well-known formula.

If this is a linear lamp or several E27 fitolamps arranged in a row, then this is a rectangle.

4 Power table for different plants.

Each type of plant requires its own lighting power per m2. These data have long been known and calculated.

You can take them from the following table:

Please note that a lot here depends on the presence (sun icon in the corner) or lack of sunlight.

For example, let's make a power calculation according to the following conditions:

plants will be grown on a windowsill 1.2m long and 0.4m wide

Accordingly, its area will be equal to 1.2m * 0.4m = 0.48m2

cultivated plant - onion

From the table we take data for onions - 50W per 1m2.

We multiply this power by our area and get the required illumination power from phytolamps - P = 50 * 0.48 = 24W

Based on this calculated value, already select your light bulbs and fixtures. It can be a linear phytolamp of 30W and 1 meter long.

Or three small LED specimens with an E27 base and a power of up to 10W each.

Phytolamp suspension height

We decided on the shape and power, but at what height should we hang the whole thing?

In LED models, much depends on the angle of their glow. For LEDs, it is 120 degrees.

At the same time, when light propagates from phytolamps, the light beam is divided into:

efficient (the one closer to the LED)

and less efficient light

So, initially, the height of the phytolamp suspension should be determined based on the height of the plant itself.

The phytolamp should be located in such a way that there is about 25-30 cm between the LED and the top of the greenery.

Naturally, all plants grow gradually, which means that the lamp will have to be raised higher and higher in order to maintain these most cherished centimeters.

Please note that there is a slight difference in the recommended height for different greens. For example, for seedlings - this is 20-25cm.

But for adult flowers - already 25-30cm.

It seems to be not so significant, but in the end all this affects their growth.

It is also worth mentioning one unpleasant effect. The zone of effective light with each rise of the lamp moves further and further from the base of the plant.

To compensate for this, a lens is used.

What are lenses for?

With a lens, the angle of illumination of the LED narrows, the beam of light becomes more concentrated, and hence the area of effective light increases.

Lenses are different and they differ in the angle of dispersion - from 15 to 90 degrees.

As a rule, most socle phytolamps already come with an optimal angle of 60 degrees.

Seedlings grown at home need additional lighting. Even on windowsills of southern orientation, young plants do not receive enough light for normal development. To provide them with the desired length of daylight hours, you need a lamp with an ultraviolet spectrum. Such light bulbs are LED, halogen, induction, sodium. Their shape is also different - there are both tape and tubular spotlights.

backlight requirements

Growing seedlings at home is a process that requires certain knowledge from the grower. Due to the insufficient length of daylight hours, it is difficult to grow healthy crops from seeds without additional lighting. But, additional light sources must meet certain requirements. Lighting fixtures must have the following characteristics:

The device should illuminate, and not heat the air within the radius of its influence, as this leads to drying out and overheating of the soil.
The light emitted by the light bulb must be soft.
The lamp should emit light in most of the blue or red spectrum.
The radiation must affect the seedlings evenly, but not intensely.

Attention!

It is impossible to use standard incandescent bulbs to illuminate vegetation - they emit a lot of heat, which provokes overheating of the sprouts. About 95% of the energy they consume is converted into heat.

Lighting lamps

The artificial light given out by light bulbs cannot completely imitate the sun's rays, but it is able to provide the necessary conditions for the accelerated development of any seedlings. With the help of such lamps, it is possible to grow plants all year round, even in conditions where it was previously impossible (polar night, rooms without windows, etc.). But, not all light sources can provide such an effect.

Bulbs illuminating plants are required to provide seedlings with a certain spectrum of radiation. It leads to the activation of the development and growth of seedlings in conditions that are not suitable for them. At the same time, germinated plants, provided that the light bulb spectrum is correctly selected for supplementary lighting, are able to quickly reach parameters sufficient for transplanting into the ground.

sodium

Gas-charging sources, the main consumers of such agrolamps for vegetation are greenhouses of various sizes. But for home use there are low-power sources - up to 100 watts. For the most part, sodium lamps are represented by Russian Reflux products, although there are also OSRAM, Philips or General Electric, but the products of these manufacturers are more expensive. Reflux lamps have the following advantages:

increased illumination efficiency;
profitability;
long-term operation;
large size lamps.

To illuminate a classic apartment window sill, a DNaZ lamp with a power of 70 watts is sufficient. If we take sodium agro-bulbs for HPS plants of the same power, then they do not have a reflector and they are placed at the rate of 1 light source per 1 m.

Phytoluminescent

Fluorescent lamps There are many suitable for highlighting seedlings. The most famous are Fluora from Osram, whose power is 18 W - they are distributed in 1 pc. at 1 m. There are also Russian light bulbs of 30 W - LFU-30. They are also used one per 1 m of the apartment window sill. But, the main drawback of phytoluminescent lamps is the unnatural light of a pinkish-lilac color.

On a note!

Such lamps are used only in conjunction with a reflector or screen that separates the room from the illuminated area.

Fluorescent

Such household light bulbs with a white glow can be used to illuminate seedlings. But, they have 2 drawbacks - low power and lack of red spectrum. To obtain an acceptable luminous flux, there must be a distance of 15-35 cm from the lamp to the seedling container, and a pair of fluorescent bulbs with a power of 40 W or more is needed per 1 m of the window sill.

LED

One of the best views for seedlings. The combination of red, white and blue LEDs allows for maximum efficiency. At the same time, LED bulbs have increased efficiency, long-term operation, and the spectrum can be easily adjusted by adjusting the lighting to the current needs of plants. Before picking, you can focus on the blue and red LEDs, and then lower the light intensity. The main disadvantage of LED is the high price of ready-made LED systems.

induction

Such lamps have appeared on the market recently. Induction light sources are bispectral, they immediately emit 2 spectra demanded by seedlings. Induction lamps are economical and efficient, they have a universal spectrum, and the operating temperature is not more than 75˚ C. But, the price of such ready-made systems is higher than that of LED ones, and therefore they are rarely bought for supplementary lighting of plants.

Choosing and using a phyto-lamp

Before choosing a specific model, agrolamps pay attention to efficiency and power. At the same time, other parameters are taken into account - the operating temperature of the device and its spectrum. At each stage of development, seedlings need a predominance of a certain part of the spectrum, for example - for the first time after planting, blue light is needed, to which red is gradually added. Also, different cultures need their own approach to growing and a certain length of daylight hours.

Reflectors, reflectors and light screens help reduce energy costs. Therefore, when they are not included in the factory configuration of the lamp, they must be purchased separately or made independently. If burns occur on the foliage of plants, then adjust the position of the light source, moving it away. They also correct the position when the seedlings turn pale or stretch, bringing the lamp closer. If the stems stretch sideways, then adjust the position of the source so as to eliminate the excess of side light.

So far, none of the artificial light sources can completely replace the sun's rays. But, phyto-lamps for additional illumination of grown seedlings can reduce the time for the development of young plants and speed up the time for their planting in open ground. At the same time, the quality of seedlings when using agrolamps is increased, and the percentage of discarded seedlings drops sharply.

When to turn on the seedling lamp. Lamps for illuminating seedlings: types, features and effects of different spectra. What I took into account when looking for phytolamps

How does lighting affect seedlings?

Can incandescent lamps be used?

What types of phytolamps are there?

Energy saving or fluorescent lamps

induction lamps

Sodium lamps

LED lamp

Popular turnkey solutions

Phytolamp reflax "Sun"

Table phytolamp "Alamak"

Led table lamp for plants "Hatis"

Window LED lamp for plants "Vasat"

How to highlight seedlings?

Can you use incandescent bulbs

What are the requirements for additional lighting

What types of phytolamps exist

Popular turnkey solutions

Which grow light to choose

How to highlight seedlings: instructions

How long does it take to light up

How to install on the windowsill

Finally

The need for additional light

Basic requirements for additional lighting

Types of lamps for lighting seedlings

Fluorescent lamps

LED light sources

seedling rack

backlight requirements

Lighting lamps

sodium

Phytoluminescent

Fluorescent

LED

induction

Choosing and using a phyto-lamp