Plant Grow Lights

Plants need sunlight to grow. It converts solar energy into chemical energy through the process called photosynthesis. If you have plants that you want to grow throughout the year, an artificial light source is necessary. There are several types of plant grow light. These includes the type of flourescent bulbs, metal halide, high pressure sodium and Light Emitting Diode (LED).

1. Florescent Bulbs Flourescent bulbs are ideal for plant nurseries. The low heat production of the bulb is perfect for nurturing baby plants. Most people preferred this type of light because it's inexpensive, easy to operate, longer shelf life and low heat production.

2. Metal Halide According to Wikipedia, Metal-halide lamps have high luminous efficacy of around 75 - 100 lumens per watt, about twice the efficiency of mercury vapor lights and 3 to 5 times that of incandescent lights, moderately long bulb life (6,000 to 15,000 hours) and produce an intense white light. It mimic the natural light. Because of its wide spectrum, it is used in indoor growing applications. Thus, promoting vegetation growth.

3.High Pressure Sodium High-pressure sodium lights enhance the fruit-bearing and flowering process in plants. Sometimes the plants grown under these lights do not appear healthy due to the poor color rendering of high-pressure sodium, which makes the plants look pale, washed out or nitrogen starved. Plants also grow taller and leggier.

4. Light Emitting Diode (LED) LED is just new in the market but it relatively become competitive. Compared to other types of grow lights, LEDs for indoor plants are attractive because they consume much less electrical power, do not require ballasts, and produce considerably less heat than incandescent or fluorescent lights. It produces dual band spectrum. This one is the best artificial light source for indoor plants.

The spectrum type, intensity and length also play an in important role in vegetative cultivation and overall plant growth.