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Best Ways to Use Hydroponic Grow Lights
Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants in a
regulated environment. It aims at optimizing the
development of plants by controlling the conditions
of their growth.
Hydroponics depends on supplying plants with
carefully measured substitutes of factors found
randomly in nature. To be successful, a hydroponic
grower has to ensure that the quality of these
substitutes is as good, or better, than those
available in nature.
Light is one such important factor. Plants require
light for photosynthesis i.e. the process by which
they manufacture their own food.
Hydroponic grow
lights such as HID (high intensity discharge)
lamps—including metal halide and high pressure
sodium lamps, fluorescent lamps, and LED
(light-emitting diode) lamps are some of the
available artificial light sources.
These are some tips to help you get the best from
your hydroponic grow lights:
1.Match knowledgeably. Select hydroponic grow
lights to suit your requirements. You can do this by
researching different options to find out their
ideal application. For example, while
metal halide lamps support robust growth in
plants,
high pressure sodium will help your plants to
produce quality flowers.
2.Plan properly. For best results, include
lighting plans in the overall layout of your unit.
This will enable you to install hydroponic grow
lights to your best advantage. For instance,
fluorescent lamps, which give out little heat, can
be placed much closer to your plants than HID lamps.
Also ensure safety by keeping ballasts, lamps, and
wiring away from water.
3.Use wisely. Keeping your hydroponic grow
lights on twenty-four hours a day will inflate your
power bills without doing your plants any good.
Ideally, your plants should be exposed to light for
up to about eighteen hours a day.
4.Maintain regularly. Service your hydroponic
grow lights at regular intervals to ensure a longer
working life and to prevent accidents.
5.Monitor continually. Assess the results you
are getting to determine scope for improvements.
Don't hesitate to experiment with different types of
lights or lighting cycles. |
