What To Know About LED Grow Lights

by admin ~ July 20th, 2010

LED grow lights are the newest addition to the spectrum of supplementary lights available to hobby growers and commercial growers alike. Growers are considering a switch to using LED lighting systems in their greenhouses, since they have a lower energy consumption and longer lifetime than most other lights.

Other advantages of LEDs are their efficiency, since they produce more light per watt than incandescent lights, and emit much less heat. Because of this they can be placed much closer to plants than incandescent or High Density lights.

Depending on the material within the diode, LED lights can be made to emit a certain color of light. Growers can make use, therefore, of blue light, which increased foliar growth or red light that encourages budding and reproduction in plants. Alternatively, by using diodes that emit all three primary colors of light, white light can be produced.

Another advantage is the long life of LEDs. Because they are solid state, they are much less fragile than either fluorescent or incandescent light systems. Their hours of useful light are estimated to be between 35000 to 50000 hours, more than 3 times that of fluorescent tubes, and over 40 times longer than incandescent light bulbs.

The diodes are designed to focus their light, while other types of lights for use with plants require bulky reflectors to direct the light. They, therefore, are easier to install, less heavy, and much less space consuming.

Currently, LED grow lights are more expensive that other grow lights on a capital cost basis. This is partly because they require more complex technology, including heat sinks and current regulators. They are sensitive to high temperatures, which may cause failure. However, with their longer lifetime and lower power consumption, it is estimated that their initial cost will be recovered within two years.

In considering buying LED grow lights, be sure to look for ones from a reputable supplier, and who offers a reliable guarantee. At this time, several manufacturers of these lights can be found, and it would be best to choose one that is located in your own country, so any possible servicing is simpler and less expensive.

Understanding About LED Grow Lights

by admin ~ July 9th, 2010

Both hobby and commercial growers who use supplementary lighting to grow crops now have the option of choosing LED grow lights. Because of their lower power consumption and the extremely long life of the lights, they are now a viable option.

LED lights produce more actual light per watt of power consumed, and in the process they emit less damaging heat. For this reason alone, growers find them advantageous, since they can be located closer to the plants than either high density incandescent or fluorescent lights.

Another advantage of these lights is that each diode within the light panel can be constructed to emit a certain color or wavelength of light. Growers can either choose ones that emit white light, a combination of all three primary colors; or they can use certain colors to encourage different growth states in their plants.

The long lifespan of LED diodes is another reason growers are switching to them. Built with solid state construction, they are less fragile than either fluorescent tubes or incandescent light. With more than 40 times longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs and over three times that of fluorescent tubes, they have a useful life of 35000 to 50000 hours.

The LED light panels are made up of many diodes that are designed to focus their light in one direction. They need no space consuming reflectors as do other types of supplemental light systems currently available.

Because they are more complex to manufacture, LED grow lights are still more expensive to purchase than other kinds of lights. Their sensitivity to high temperatures requires them to include a heat sink, and they also need current regulators. Most manufacturers believe that the initial cost will be recovered in around two years, considering the lower power needs and their longer lifetime.

If you decide to buy LED grow lights, look for a reputable and local manufacturer and supplies. A reliable guarantee should always be offered. With a local supplier and a guarantee, any servicing will not only be simpler, but much less costly.

Are LED Grow Lights The Best Choice For You?

by admin ~ June 29th, 2010

With the advantages of lower energy consumption and longer lifetime of the lighting units, LED grow lights are gaining in popularity. They are the newest type of grow light, being considered by both hobby and commercial growers.

LED lights are much more efficient, producing more lumens per unit of electricity than incandescent bulbs, as well as emitting much less heat. They can be placed much nearer to plants, so the available light is not wasted.

A panel of LED lights is made up of many individual diodes, each of which can be made to emit a certain color of light depending on the material within the diode. Growers can achieve a pure white light, blue light for foliage growth, or use more from the red end of the spectrum to encourage flowering and fruiting.

Because of their solid state construction, these supplemental plant lights are much less apt to break or burn out than fluorescent tubes or incandescent bulbs. Their useful life span is between 35000 and 50000 hours, over three times that of fluorescent lights and more than 40 times that of incandescent bulbs.

Another advantage of LED panels is the construction of each diode that is made to focus the light in one directions. This eliminates the need for bulky and heavy reflectors that are needed with the alternative kinds of lights.

At this time, LED supplementary lights for plants are more expensive to buy than other grow light systems. Their sensitivity to high temperatures and fluctuating power requires more complex construction. Both current regulators and heat sinks must be included. This initial expense is generally offset within two years, because of their lower power use and longer lifespan.

In selecting a supplier of LED grow lights, buyers should choose one that has a good reputation and that supplies a comprehensive guarantee. Choosing a local manufacturer and supplier is also a good idea, since any servicing will be easier and cheaper.

The Two Schools of Thought for Indoor Gardening

by admin ~ April 12th, 2010

Obviously the best way to grow any plant is in the sun and out in nature. Even though outdoor growing has it’s own set of complications and risks to your plants, it is the most natural and organic way to grow.

That being said there are two schools of thought when it comes to indoor growing and the lights used. Indoor LED grow lights and HPS or High-pressure sodium lamps. Each side will argue that one or the other is the est, but as in almost everything else, it boils down to a matter of opinion and preference. To formulate your own opinions and ultimately make your personal desicion, you have to know exactly what each style of light offers.

HPS lights – The benefit of high pressure sodium lamps to the horticultural industry is their ability to enhance the fruiting and flowering process in plants. Orange/red spectrum HPS is the spectrum plants use in their reproductive processes, which generally produces larger harvests of higher quality herbs, vegetables, fruits or flowers. Sometimes the plants grown under these lamps do not appear very healthy (although they usually are). This is due to the poor color rendering of high pressure sodium, which makes the plants look pale, washed out or nitrogen starved. Benefits to high pressure sodium lighting are their incredibly long usable bulb life (up to two years in many cases); and unparalleled efficiency at six times more light output per watt of energy consumed than a standard incandescent grow lamp

LED indoor grow lights – Recent advancements in LEDs have allowed for the production of relatively cheap, bright, and long lasting grow lights that emit only the wavelengths of light corresponding to chlorophyll’s absorption peaks. These lights are attractive to indoor growers since they do not consume as much power, do not require ballasts, and produce a fraction of the heat of HID lamps. There are four chlorophyll absorption peaks and LED grow lights use four different types of LEDs to hit all four peaks (two red and two blue). It should be pointed out that there is no peer reviewed scientific evidence supporting the claims of higher growth rate using LED grow lights versus HID lighting; however a number of non-scientific grow tests can be found online.

Either type of light is normally used in conjunction with a reflector, to control and intensify the light emissions, and will include an electrical ballast to control the current to the light. This is required because of the high intensity of the light that is necessary to produce something akin to sunlight.

I found this information on different wesites and there are thousands more to read and learn from. There are even forums and chat rooms where you can get involved in conversations with people who have grown a wide variety of plants with many different types of lights and therefore also glean from their experience.

Using Hydroponic Nutrients for a Healthy Gardening System

by admin ~ March 10th, 2010

hydro_tomatoIf you are someone who is interested in indoor gardening, then you might have heard about hydroponics and how they can help you to grow plants without the problems of importing soil into your home and this could be especially true if you live in a crowded apartment. This is because hydroponic nutrients allow you to grow your plants in water that has been filled with these mineral nutrient combinations that take the place of soil. However, if you are interested in doing this then you might want to find out more about how these hydroponics nutrients work and what you need to do to get your system up and running so that you can be sure that your garden will grow and flourish.

The first thing that you should know is that all of the effective hydroponics nutrients systems rely on chemical recipes that combine to reach a similar final composition. While there are some chemicals that are used in this process, it also relies on specific plant nutrient that have been dissolved into the water. However, some of the chemicals and nutrients that are included in these compositions include iron, magnesium, potassium nitrate, calcium nitrate, zinc, copper, chlorine, nickel, magnesium sulfate, and boron. So, if you are looking for hydroponic nutrients you will want to make sure that you check to see if these are some of the ingredients that can be found in the nutrients you are using.

Once you have put the plants into the hydroponic nutrients, then you might think that you are through with the process, but the truth is that you will want to make sure that you monitor the water. Because of the way that different plants interact with the water solution then you will find that some nutrients are used up more quickly than others, and this can lead to complications if you are not careful to monitor the nutrient levels, the overall pH, and salt concentrations. The good news is that there are kits to help you do this so that you can be sure that your hydroponics system is one that will grow well and will allow you to get the most benefit out of your indoor gardening experience.

Using LED Grow Lights to Help Your Plants Flourish

by admin ~ March 1st, 2010

Many people who live in harsh climates have found that indoor gardening is something that works well for them. However, if you want to make sure that your plants are getting the appropriate light so that they can grow and flourish then you should look into using LED grow lights. After all, trying to provide a lighting system for your indoor garden can be costly if you rely on traditional high powered lighting to cover your plants. LED grow lights are specifically designed to help you grow more while cutting back on your electric costs, and many professionals have found that using this kind of system can offer a higher plant yield for some.

The reason for this higher yield is believed to be directly linked to the fact that the LED grow lights do not need to put off as much heat as the traditional indoor garden lighting systems. While this does mean reduced costs as mentioned before, it also means that the plants are not subjected to overly large amounts of unnecessary heat that can cause damage to frail herbs and vegetables. This means that your ventilation system does not have to work as hard and you might not even have to deal with a cooling agent to counteract this process, which means your plants are going to be growing in a more stable and comfortable environment. This is something that could make all of the difference in the amount of food and herbs that you are able to successfully produce indoors.

So, if you are someone who wants to grow your own food and to try to live more naturally, then it only makes sense that you would want to rely on LED grow lights to help you with all of your lighting needs. Not only does it help you to grow more and offer a more comfortable environment for the plants, but it also reduces your energy dependence. There are a wide range of options for you to consider, including everything from complete LED panels, to lights that can be fitted into your regular light socket, so that you will be sure to find the specific kind of lighting that will work hand in hand with your garden.

The Combination of LED Grow Lights and Hydroponics

by admin ~ February 19th, 2010

If you are someone who is interested in indoor gardening, but is worried about bringing all of the dirt and much into your house, then you might want to consider hydroponics. This is a method of gardening that deals with plants being grown in a specific nutrient solution in water. The roots of the plants are placed into this solution, and from there the plants will actually grow and thrive without soil. This is a method that has not only been proven, but it is one that has been researched completely. It has been found that just by making sure that the appropriate combination of the mineral solution means that almost any plant can be grown using only hydroponics.

However, plants cannot do without a form of light, and LED grow lights have been proven to help increase your overall plant yield and to work on less energy than traditional lighting systems. So, if you want to make sure that the plants you are growing with hydroponics flourish, you will want to use a combination of the methods of this hydroponics and the LED grow lights. Not only this, but these are the perfect options for those who might want to work on an indoor garden but live in an apartment where they cannot have a large mess of dirt or do not have the room for an expansive lighting system.

The options for LED grow lights are varied, and you can work to find the one that will best fit your needs. They range from a full panel of lights, to one that you can use in a traditional wall socket. You just need to take your gardening needs into consideration and compare these to the products that are available. Hydroponics may be a little bit more difficult, but once you have set up a system and get the appropriate nutrients to put it all together then it is not that hard to maintain the garden in this manner. This is something that you may want to do a little research on so that you can find the type of hydroponics system that will work best for the space you have in mind so that it can accommodate your gardening needs.

Correctly Using Hydroponic Systems to Grow Plants

by admin ~ January 29th, 2010

Bucket Hydroponic SystemThere are several different hydroponic systems that you can use to grow indoor plants without having to rely on soil. This is because hydroponics is the use of a water nutrient solution to grow plants. The plants’ roots are suspended in the solution, and they draw their nourishment from this solution and grow much in the same manner that plants grown in a traditional setting do. However, because it does not rely on soil, hydroponic systems are becoming more and more popular with people who want to enjoy the benefits of indoor gardening without having to worry about the problems that bringing soil into the house can cause.

There are different hydroponic systems and techniques under which they operate. These will vary depending on the type of indoor garden that you want to have, as well as the size of the operation. For example, there are profitable hydroponic farms that sell massive loads of vegetables to the markets each year. The hydroponic systems that operate these large gardens are going to be significantly different than the ones that you will want to use if you decide to operate one in your home. The most common system for home use is based around a static solution. This is where the plants are placed in a jar or container that has been filled with the appropriate solution.

People often worry that they have to buy a large complicated containment center for their hydroponic systems, but the truth is that many times indoor gardens that rely on hydroponics can be safely completed in simple glass jars, plastic tubs, or even fish tanks, and you will want to make sure that if you use a clear jar or tank that it is covered by a material to cut out the light. Although if you use a smaller glass jar or plastic container then you may find that you will need to increase the size of the solution container as the plant grows. You will probably want to make sure that you use an aeration system so that your plants can get adequate oxygen to thrive. For home made systems this can be as simple as using a pump for an aquarium.

The Benefits of LED Grow Lights

by admin ~ December 4th, 2009

Growing plants indoors has a number of challenges. You’ve got to find the space, for one thing. Then you may need to modify that space. If you’re going to grow vegetables and other plants in a spare bedroom, for example, you’ll want to take up any carpet that may be in there, and you might even need to install a French drain in the floor. All of this can be somewhat expensive, but there is more expense after you’ve done this: you may need to buy tables to hold your pots, put in some sort of watering system, and purchase and install grow lights.

Without grow lights, your plants won’t be able to get all of the light they need. Without sufficient light, they can’t perform photosynthesis or get enough nutrients. You can try opening up all the windows in the room or installing a skylight to give your plants these nutrients, but then you have to deal with cloudy days or with the fact that you can’t always get sunlight into a room through windows. Grow lights are much more efficient and useful.

The only problem is that traditional grow lights are also expensive. They are big, bulky, and heavy, too. Then there’s the heat factor—they put out a good amount of heat. These lights can also use up a good amount of energy. But there is another option. LED grow lights are much cheaper to operate, and they don’t weight as much, either. They are so bright that they can light up larger areas than traditional lights, so you need fewer panels. They have many other advantages, too, such as operating at a cooler temperature and not being quite as heavy.

Using Grow Lights to Create an Indoor Garden

by admin ~ December 2nd, 2009

Growing an indoor garden can be difficult. You’ve got to have the correct type of grow lights, for example, in order to guarantee that your plants, vegetables, and flowers are able to get enough light. Without indoor grow lights, your plants won’t get enough nutrients. Sure, you can try opening all of the windows in the room, but there’s no way you’ll be able to grow more than a few plants at a time. With indoor grow lights, however, you can position your plants anywhere in the room and they will still get enough light.

But what kind of grow lights do you need? Traditional grow lights are easy to come by, but they’re often very heavy. Installing them in your home may require some modifications to your ceiling. They will also take up a lot of power, and you may see an immediate impact on your energy bill. These types of lights also put out some heat, and if they fall, there’s always the chance they could cause a fire.

LED grow lights and HID grow lights, on the other hand, may be better solutions for what you need. LED lights are much cooler and do not require nearly as much energy as traditional grow lights. They can also put out a lot more light than traditional grow lights do. Because of this, you don’t need as large of panels, so the LED grow lights are actually lighter than traditional lights. LED grow lights will save you on energy, save you on purchasing many large panels, and yet will still give you all the light you need.