| A grow light, which is, actually, an ordinary electric | | | | lights. Metal halide lamps are mostly used for the initial |
| lamp, is of vital importance for the plants, since it | | | | (vegetative) stage of plants growth, as they emit |
| ensures the process of photosynthesis by radiating | | | | bluish light along with ultraviolet radiation, which results |
| electromagnetic spectrum, which resembles sunlight. | | | | in the increased production of plants elements, thus |
| Thus, using grow light, a gardener creates | | | | improving and strengthening them. |
| outdoor-like conditions inside the house. However, | | | | Reproductive or flowering stage of plants growth |
| sunlight is bluish, as it has high color temperature; | | | | requires the use of high pressure sodium lamps, since |
| therefore, rendering index is usually used to check | | | | they hasten the growth rate. They are not suitable |
| whether grow light is closely similar to the sunshine. | | | | for the vegetative stage as this would result in the |
| What Light Spectrum Is Best For Plants | | | | fast growing of too tall plants. Nevertheless, both |
| Light spectrum, required by plants, depends on the | | | | types of bulbs are sometimes used by the gardeners |
| stage of the plants growth. For example, vegetative | | | | for various plants growth stages with the additional |
| stage needs blue light spectrum; while the stage of | | | | reddish spectrum adjusted to the metal halide bulbs |
| plants blooming requires red–orange spectrum. A | | | | and bluish spectrum attached to the high pressure |
| gardener can buy a specific light spectrum bulb, or | | | | sodium lamps |
| there are also universal full spectrum lights suitable for | | | | Incandescent Grow Lamps |
| different growth stages (for example, those made | | | | Incandescent grow lamps are used only to emphasize |
| by Sylvania Grolux). | | | | and highlight plants groups grown inside, as they have |
| To give optimal results the light should be supplied | | | | red-yellowish spectrum and low color temperature |
| with a reflector and an electrical ballast to regulate | | | | (about 2700°K). They are never used as the grow |
| and augment light emissions and current. This is done | | | | lights. The life span of incandescent growing lamps is |
| in order to make artificial light as much as possible | | | | approximately 750 hours. Furthermore, this type of |
| similar to the natural daylight. | | | | lights is more energy consuming than other types, |
| Types of Growing Lamps | | | | and the majority of the consumed energy is |
| High pressure sodium (HPS/SON) and metal halide | | | | transformed into heat, not light. Higher temperature |
| (MH) lamps are nowadays the most popular and | | | | around the plants may cause the increased invasion |
| frequently used ones in the professional indoor | | | | of pests and insects, thus these lights are not the |
| gardening. They belong to high-intensity discharge | | | | best options to use in the indoor gardening. |