When you’re setting up your new greenhouse, don’t forget to pay attention to the kind of light you’ll be using. Lighting is a critical factor in a plant’s development. Choosing the right kind of light will ensure that your plants grow quickly and remain healthy. If you need some help figuring out your best options in greenhouse lighting, here are some tips that will help you make the right choice.
1. The first thing you need to do is figure out the amount of light you will require. This depends on the size of the greenhouse and the kind of plants you plan to grow. Some plants such as flowers and fruit, as well as those that are taller, require more light than others. An outdoor greenhouse will typically use 25 watts per square foot. But an indoor greenhouse will need twice as much light or more.
2. The kind of light you use should be suitable for the plants you’re growing. The type of light waves produced has a significant effect on plant growth. For instance, if you want optimal growth for fruit or flowers, use high pressure sodium lights. The light from these lamps is in the red spectrum, and stimulates the plants’ growth hormones. If you’re growing leafy plants, they’ll thrive under the blue spectrum, which metal halide lighting is best at providing.
3. Don’t let your lighting overheat your plants. Too much heat can kill them. Some lights release a lot of heat when they’re running. Incandescent lights, for example, produce large quantities of heat. They’re not a great option anyway, because the light they give off isn’t enough for most plants to thrive. Fluorescent grow lights, on the other hand, produce much less heat. Make sure you compare how much heat each lighting option produces before making your purchase.
4. Use lighting that will produce good results without consuming massive amounts of energy. High intensity discharge lights are the most energy efficient type of indoor greenhouse lighting available. Unfortunately, they’re also the most expensive to purchase. Another option is LCD grow lamps, which are a popular choice due to their high energy efficiency. As well, they give off less heat.
No matter what kind of indoor greenhouse lighting you decide on, it’s essential that you turn it off from time to time. Lighting should only be used where and when it is needed. For optimal growth, plants need a certain amount of darkness. Depending on the type of plants you’re growing, you should have the lights turned off in your garden greenhouse for anywhere from six to twelve hours daily.
