fluro grow lights

Can fluorescent lights be used as grow lights?

The short answer is: any type of fluorescent light will help any type of plant grow, whether it is cannabis or lettuce or orchids. But it's not quite so simple. While you can use any type of tube or bulb and see results, you want to provide the kind of light your plants want most. That's how you get the best results.

What is the best fluorescent light for growing plants?

Instead, full-spectrum high-output T5 lights are best even for seedlings. They'll drive growth from the seedling stage through root establishment and until plants are ready for transplanting, at which point you may want to put them under more light.

What is the difference between grow lights and fluorescent?

Heat Output Of LED vs Fluorescent Grow Lights

LED grow lighting puts off next to no heat, whereas fluorescent grow lamps run cool, yet growers do need to consider the heat put out by fluorescent lighting to some degree, particularly with high output T5 fluorescent lighting.

Are LED grow lights better than fluorescent?

LED lights tend to last longer than fluorescent bulbs, producing less waste. Fluorescent light quality declines long before the bulb burns out; fluorescent bulbs should be replaced when the ends of the tube begin to darken, usually annually.

Can I leave my grow light on 24 hours?

A: In general, you should not leave grow lights on 24/7. Plants need a light-dark cycle to develop properly. It's believed that they truly do “rest” during periods of darkness, and probably use this time to move nutrients into their extremities while taking a break from growing.

Will any light work as a grow light?

Although virtually any light will stimulate the growing process, not all artificial lights will provide the best conditions for growth. Some may run too hot, while others lack the spectrum of light for optimal growth. Blue light is likelier to promote plant growth while red light will encourage flowering.

How do I choose an indoor grow light?

Grow lights should provide the proper spectrum of light for photosynthesis, which key to plant growth. Before purchasing a light, be sure to check out the provided color spectrum. Lights that can provide a full spectrum are the ideal choice for your growing space. This is where LED lights come in handy.

What color light is best for plants?

Different color light helps plants achieve different goals as well. Blue light, for example, helps encourage vegetative leaf growth. Red light, when combined with blue, allows plants to flower. Cool fluorescent light is great for cultivating plant growth indoors.

How many lumens do plants need?

If ever you are in the vegetative period, approximately 2000 to 3000 lumens per square foot would be the minimum amount. If your plants are on the flowering phase, 5000 to 10000 lumens per square foot is recommended.

Is grow light bad for you?

Most wavelengths are not harmful. However, LED grow lights that put out ultraviolet light are harmful to your eyes. This includes but isn't limited to fluorescent LED grow lights, HPS grow lights and metal halide grow lights. ... If you want to safe from led grow light you need to use best led grow lights.

Can you start seeds with LED lights?

You can use LED lights to start your vegetable seeds indoors and you don't need special plant grow lights to do so for plants that will eventually be planted outside. ... Upgrading to LEDs is just a simple matter of replacing your current tubes.

What lights do professional growers use?

Today, the most widely used lights for professional use are HIDs and fluorescents. Indoor flower and vegetable growers typically use high-pressure sodium (HPS/SON) and metal halide (MH) HID lights, but fluorescents and LEDs are replacing metal halides due to their efficiency and economy.

What color light promotes germination?

Suffice it to say that it is mainly the light's effect upon a plant pigment called phytochrome within the seed. This relates to the type of light which the seed receives. As a generalisation, light in the red wave length usually promotes germination whereas blue light inhibits it.

What lights to use for seed starting?

Fluorescent lights

And there are two types commonly employed for starting seeds, tube types and compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's). For folks that are pretty new to growing indoors or have a small space, the CFLs can be a great option.

Can plants get too much light?

Plants cannot get too much light, but they can get too much of the heat energy that comes with the light. Photosynthesis and other plant growth processes will shut down when the environmental and tissue temperature gets high enough that all the water taken up by the plant is used to cool the plant tissue.

Can plants get too much artificial light?

Most houseplants do well with 12-16 hours of artificial fluorescent light each day. Too little light will result in elongated, spindly growth and too much light will cause a plant to wilt, color to fade, soil to become excessively dry and foliage to burn. Plants also require a rest period each day.

How far should grow light be from plants?

During the flowering stage LED Grow lights should be located between 16-36 inches from the plant canopy. Moving the grow light closer will increase the light intensity which can maximize photosynthesis.

What light bulb is closest to natural sunlight?

Halogen bulbs are a type of incandescent that gives a close approximation of natural daylight, known as "white light." Colors appear sharper under halogen light and the bulbs can be dimmed. They're a little more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, but they're more expensive and burn at a higher temperature.

What can I use instead of a grow light?

Artificial lighting:

Fluorescent lights are by far the most economical and easy choice for houseplants. ...
Incandescent lights give off a lot of heat and should be placed farther away from plant foliage. ...
LED lights are also a low heat, energy-efficient artificial light source.

Does TV light affect plants?

If there is a plant near a TV and a plant away from a TV,then the plant near the TV will not grow as fast and it will start to die.