As we approach summer solstice, the days are getting longer and longer, which means there is a lot more sunlight for your garden! For gardening fans, growing vegetables and nurturing plant life doesn’t have to be an exclusive summer activity. Indoor lighting solutions might not pack the same punch that sunlight does; however, indoor lights are still a great supplementary light source for places that don’t get enough sunlight. In this week’s blog, Fluorescent Man Lighting in Calgary breaks down which type of lighting solution will help your indoor plant life flourish!
Light Emitting Diode, commonly referred to as LED is a prime choice for indoor plants and for growing seeds. LED’s are cooler in temperature, they don’t radiate as much heat as incandescent and halogen bulbs do. LED’s encompass the full spectrum of light and that can greatly benefit vegetable plants, which grow optimally with red light.
Incandescent and halogen lights are inexpensive; however, they emit a lot of heat and are not good for growing seeds. Due to the amount of heat radiating from these lights (especially incandescent) they need to be positioned at least 3-4 feet away from plants.
The most used source of indoor lighting for plant growth is fluorescent light bulbs, which have multiple benefits which include the following:
• Inexpensive
• Energy efficient
• Close to blue on the colour spectrum (optimal for seedlings)
• Cooler temperature
Because fluorescent light bulbs don’t emit as much heat as incandescent and halogen bulbs, they can be positioned as close as 3 inches to seedlings and won’t harm them. The major issue with fluorescent lights bulbs being used for plant growth was that they require a large space. However, with compact fluorescent light bulbs becoming popular, you no longer require large areas to provide light for growing plants. Fluorescent Light... is there anything they can’t do?
For now, enjoy and harness the lighting from the sun to grow your tomatoes and vegetables! In the winter you ideally want to use either LED or fluorescent lights for your indoor gardens and plants. If you want to revolutionize your home or business lighting system, contact us at Fluorescent Man Lighting in Calgary today at 403-863-8529.
