Additional artificial lighting of flowers and plants in the apartment. Natural and artificial lighting for indoor plants

It is very important to choose the right bulbs for growing indoor, greenhouse and aquarium plants. If you make a mistake in choosing, further consequences can be disappointing: seedlings (or algae) may simply not have enough light, which can stop their growth or more serious problems - too bright lighting and heat will burn the leaves, which will lead to the death of the plant world. To not happen various kinds trouble, you need to know which plant lamps are best to choose, buy and use in the future. Next, we will provide you with a comparison of all the most popular types: from incandescent bulbs to LEDs.

Overview of existing light bulbs

To make the information easier to perceive, we will simultaneously list all existing types lamps that are best suited for lighting and growing plants, and we’ll immediately talk about how rational it is to use each option.

So, today, to illuminate the plant world in the house, you can choose and use such light sources as:

• . The cheapest and not recommended option for many reasons: they have a short service life, poor light output (up to 17 lm / W) and significant heat generation. As a result, seedlings or indoor flowers in a pot will not receive the required amount of light, as a result of which this will negatively affect the growth rate and, accordingly, the correctness of cultivation. In addition, a light bulb that is too powerful can burn the leaves if placed next to the plant. Bottom line - this option should never be used at home, because. it is best to choose more modern and effective types lamps, which we will discuss below.
  
• Fluorescent (energy saving) lamps. This option is much more appropriate to choose and use to illuminate vegetation in the house, greenhouse and directly in the aquarium. Energy-saving lights have many advantages, such as high light output, low heat generation, and cost-effectiveness, making them a good option for lighting indoor and aquarium plants. In addition, there are special fluorescent fitolamps that are designed only for growing seedlings and flowers.
  
• LED light bulbs. LEDs are the youngest type of light bulbs, which short span time managed to win a high interest in various fields of application. LED lamps are better for plants due to the fact that they consume a minimum amount of electricity, practically do not emit heat and, moreover, they can be of a different spectrum of light radiation, which allows you to choose the right LED bulbs for your own type of plants in the house.
  
• Gas-charging (sodium, mercury, metal halide). On this version of lighting products, you need to dwell in more detail, because. Not all gas charging lamps are suitable for growing plants. Of all the options listed, mercury lamps are the worst for plant growth in the home, greenhouse and aquarium. This is due to the fact that they have a luminous flux almost 2 times less than sodium and metal halide light sources. In addition, the light spectrum of mercury products is not quite suitable for the development and further growth of seedlings, flowers, algae. As for sodium lamps - they shine brightly yellow-orange, which is very much in line with natural solar lighting. Review of experts - it is better to choose and use mercury bulbs for growing flower plants. Well, the last option - metal halide lamps are the most expensive, but at the same time the most suitable light sources for those representatives of the "green world" who prefer vegetative growth rather than flowering.
  

So we told you which lamps are suitable for lighting and growing indoor plants. We draw your attention to the fact that CFL fluorescent lamps, which have a light output of 80 to 100 Lm / W, will be the best options for the home in terms of price and efficiency. If it's possible to splurge a little more, it's better to opt for LED grow lights, which are still superior to the sodium bulbs previously used in greenhouses and greenhouses!

You can learn more about which light bulbs are best suited for growing seedlings (for example, tomatoes) or flowers in the video examples:

How to arrange lighting?

You have familiarized yourself with what lamps for growing plants are, and you probably already know which option of light sources to choose for own conditions. Now we will briefly tell you about how best to organize the backlight so as not to harm flora in home.

The first thing to consider is the height from the fixtures to the leaves. Minimum distance should be 15 cm if the plant is light-loving and 55 cm if shade-tolerant. In addition, the light should fall on flower pots or seedlings (or aquarium flora) strictly at right angles. Otherwise, the plants will reach for the light and take on an ugly shape.

Secondly, each specific type of representative of the flora requires its own specific light spectrum. Some flowers need the blue spectrum, some the red spectrum. You should first ask florists or read on the Internet about the requirements for growing your favorite plant, and then choose the right lamps.

Thirdly, if for some reason you have not found a light bulb with suitable light output and spectrum characteristics, you can organize combined lighting, for example, with fluorescent lamps simultaneously with phytolamps, etc.

To each experienced florist It is known what a huge role is played by properly selected lighting of indoor plants. Along with watering and soil, light is an indispensable component on which successful growth directly depends. It is no secret that in the natural environment, some plants feel great in shady places, while others cannot develop without direct exposure to sunlight. At home, the situation is similar. We will talk in detail about how to competently make artificial lighting for indoor plants.

Decorative lighting and lighting for plant growth

A lamp for growing indoor plants is lovely way extension of daylight hours. After all, many indoor flowers are of tropical origin, which means that they experience a shortage of solar energy every day, especially in winter. For effective growth Plants should have about 15 hours of daylight. Otherwise, they weaken, stop blooming and are exposed to various diseases.

When planning the future illumination of indoor flowers, it is important not to miss the aesthetic component. The phytolamp should become part of the interior, a kind of decor element. There are a huge number of lamps on sale with wall mount of various shapes, for any energy-saving lamp: CFL or LED. Depending on the size of the home flower garden, the backlight can be made from several spotlights aimed directly at each green pet, or from tubular fluorescent lamps with a reflector. By connecting your own imagination, you can make an original LED phytolamp yourself.

The most important component of growth is the spectrum of light

In order to understand how heterogeneous the light from different electrical sources and the sun is, it is necessary to look at their spectral composition. The spectral characteristic is the dependence of the radiation intensity on the wavelength. The solar radiation curve is continuous in the entire visible range with a decrease in the UV and IR regions. The spectrum of artificial light sources in most cases is represented by individual pulses of different amplitudes, which, as a result, gives the light a certain shade.

During the experiments, it was found that for successful development, plants do not use the full spectrum, but only its individual parts. The following wavelengths are considered the most vital:

• 640–660 nm - velvet red, necessary for all adult plants for reproductive development, as well as for strengthening the root system;
• 595–610 nm – orange color for flowering and fruit ripening;
• 440–445 nm - purple for vegetative development;
• 380-400 nm - near UV range to regulate the growth rate and protein formation;
• 280-315 nm - medium UV range to increase frost resistance.

Lighting only with the listed rays is not suitable for all plants. Each representative of the flora is unique in its "wave" preferences. This means that it is impossible to fully replace the energy of the sun with the help of lamps. But artificial lighting of plants in the morning and evening hours can significantly improve their life.

Signs of lack of light

There are a number of signs by which it is easy to identify a lack of light. You just need to carefully look at your flower and compare it with the standard. For example, find a similar view on the Internet. A clear lack of illumination is manifested in the following way. The plant slows down its growth. The new leaves are smaller and the stem becomes thinner. The lower leaves turn yellow. The flower either completely stops blooming, or the number of buds formed is less than the average. At the same time, it is considered that watering, humidity and air temperature are normal.

How much light do you need?

It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to this question. How can a person live in different parts the globe, and indoor flower can grow on a windowsill facing north, south, west or east. The plant throughout its life will strive to adapt to the current conditions: to stretch upward from a lack of light or, conversely, to expose another blossoming bud to the sun's rays.

Observing the appearance of the stems and leaves, the size and number of flowers, you can determine the sufficiency of the level of illumination. At the same time, one should not forget at what stage of development the indoor flower is: vegetation, flowering, seed ripening. At each stage, he takes from the sun the light of the wavelength that he needs in order to this moment. Therefore, when organizing additional illumination, it is important to take into account the qualitative component of the luminous flux.

Prolonged exposure to the bright light of the sun and lamps with an illumination level of more than 15 thousand lux is loved by those indoor flowers that grow in their natural habitat under open sky. This is a favorite of many Crassula, geranium, Kalanchoe, begonia. artificial lighting for plants of this type in the evening will do them good.

Representatives of the flora that feel comfortable with an illumination of 10-15 thousand lux include Spathiphyllum, Clivia, Saintpaulia, Tradescantia and Dracaena. The leaves of these types of indoor flowers do not like hot sunlight, but they also do not tolerate early twilight. Therefore, the ideal place for them would be a window sill with access to the west, where in the evening their leaves will receive the necessary energy from the setting sun.

The so-called shade-loving plants can bloom and develop away from window opening, being content with illumination up to 10 thousand lux. However, this does not mean that they will die if they are placed in a brighter place. They just need less direct sunlight. These include some types of ficus and dracaena, philodendron, and tropical vines.

Illumination of plants and artificial light sources

In most cases, indoor plants need additional lighting. Flowers, which at first glance have bright green succulent leaves and bloom regularly, will look even better if they begin to be affected by a phytolamp. If someone thinks otherwise, then he has a great chance to be convinced of the fallacy of his thinking and collect. Used to extend daylight hours various sources artificial light. Consider each of them and figure out which light is best for plants.

Incandescent lamps

Illumination of plants using incandescent lamps is the least effective for several reasons. Radiation spectrum conventional light bulbs with a spiral is strongly shifted to the red region, which does not contribute to photosynthesis in any way. Low efficiency and, as a result, a huge heat release direct their energy and light efficiency to zero. In addition, incandescent lamps are the shortest time service compared to other artificial light sources.

Fluorescent lamps

Tubular fluorescent or, as they are most often called, energy-saving daylight lamps of the T8 type of full spectrum (T=5300–6500°K) are considered the best option to illuminate indoor plants for many years. They deserve a lot positive feedback, due to the presence of a selective spectrum, efficiency and low heat transfer, combined with an acceptable cost.

Companies specializing in the production of fluorescent lamps offer growers an improved option - a phytolamp with a selective emission spectrum. They work mainly in the blue and red range, as can be seen from the characteristic glow. But the cost of such lamps for illuminating plants is an order of magnitude higher than conventional analogues.

The sodium lamp is the most efficient light source. In terms of luminous efficiency and working life, these lamps are comparable to LEDs for plants. That's just for home conditions, they are not suitable because of the excessively high brightness (more than 15 thousand lux). But in many greenhouses and greenhouses, growing plants under artificial lighting is based on gas discharge lamps. Due to the fact that they emit more red light, they are installed in combination with 6500K fluorescent lamps.

LED light sources

All phytolamps on LEDs are divided into three groups:

• bicolor;
• with multispectrum;
• with full spectrum.

Bicolor or two-color fixtures are based on blue (440–450 nm) and red (640–660 nm) LEDs. Their light is considered to be the most optimal for organizing the illumination of any plants during the growing season. The specified working spectrum favors the process of photosynthesis, which leads to an accelerated growth of green mass. That is why summer residents prefer blue-red LED lamps when growing vegetable seedlings on the windowsill.

LED lamps with multispectrum have a wider application due to the expansion of the red range into the infrared and yellow light. They are in demand for highlighting adult plants, stimulating flowering and fruit ripening. In apartment conditions, it is better to use the LED multispectrum for flowers with a dense crown.

On a phytolamp with a full spectrum of radiation, you can make a backlight for flowers in an apartment, regardless of the type and location. This is a kind of universal source of artificial light, which emits in a wide range with maxima in the red and blue zones. The full spectrum LED luminaire is a tandem of energy efficiency and light energy reminiscent of the action of sunlight.

Today, the creation of favorable conditions for an extensive transition to phyto-LEDs does not occur for two reasons:

• the high cost of high-quality lamps for plants;
• a large number of fakes collected on conventional LEDs.

What light is best for growth?

Of course, the ideal light source is solar energy. In apartments with windows to the southeast and southwest, you can grow any flowers by placing them in different points rooms. But do not be upset for those who have a view from the window only to the north side. Fluorescent and LED lamps for lighting plants compensate for the lack of sunlight.

Daylight plant lamps are a time-tested budget option. They are suitable for those who are trying to create normal conditions for a flower with a small investment. LED phytolamps for those who seek to force events and achieve best results in a short time, despite the price of several thousand rubles.

1. Before buying another “leafy pet”, you should find out how light-loving it is. Perhaps the allotted space in the room will not be able to provide him with full development.
2. Inexpensive lighting option light-loving plants can be made from a 18 W fluorescent lamp and a 25 W incandescent lamp.
3. The prevailing radiation in the yellow region of the visible spectrum inhibits the growth of stems. Illumination of dracaena (and other tree-like) warm light give it a compact shape.
4. If a plant with variegated foliage loses its original color and becomes monochromatic, then it clearly lacks light. To return the flower to its former attractiveness, an LED phytolamp will help.
5. Light from red and blue LEDs accelerates eye fatigue. In this regard, visual work in the area of ​​their action should be excluded.

Summing up

We hope that the material read has helped the reader to master the basic knowledge of organizing lighting for flowers in the house and on the balcony. Once again, I want to emphasize the economy and high efficiency LED lamps for growing plants, the mass transition to which is just around the corner. Let every grower who has the opportunity to purchase a LED phytolamp today, evaluate its power and leave your feedback for other readers in the comments below.

Read also

For normal development, growth and flowering, plants need light. In this regard, indoor flowers are not very lucky, which in summer are required to perceive one-sided lighting from windows, and in winter, in general, are actually devoid of direct sunlight. Particularly affected are the green inhabitants of the northern windows, which, in cold period years are forced to vegetate in constant semi-darkness.

Of course, this does not mean that residents of apartments with a northern orientation should deny themselves the creation of a green garden on their own territory. By correctly creating artificial lighting for indoor plants, you can completely compensate for the lack of sunlight.

General signs of lack of light

Poor lighting very quickly affects the appearance of the plant, depriving it of decorativeness. Shoots begin to stretch, new leaves grow small, and their color may become duller, unsaturated, as the formation of chlorophylls slows down. Variegated varieties lose their spots, their leaves become more uniform or completely green. A frequent sign of insufficient illumination is also yellowing, drying and falling of the lower leaves. At flowering plants buds cease to appear, and old flowers gradually die off.

In general, the picture that emerges is not too optimistic. If you have not yet encountered such manifestations on your plants (and, of course, want to prevent them), but assume that there is still not enough light on your windows, we recommend that you measure the amount of light with a special device - a luxmeter. Having received the readings of the device, you can say with confidence whether your flowers have enough light or not.

How many luxes are required?

The illuminance of an object is measured in lux, and it is this characteristic that is measured by a luxmeter. In nature, the level of illumination can reach 100,000 lux, but for successful growth even for sun-loving plants, such an intensity of the rays is not at all necessary. Well, in winter, in a city apartment, the following illumination will be enough for plants:

700 - 1000 lux - for shade-loving plants. These are poinsettia, begonia, ivy, calathea, arrowroot, etc. It should be understood that the lower bar of 700 lux is too little light, which is only enough to sustain life, but not for the flowering of these plants. If you want to achieve flowering, you need to increase the light.

1,000 - 2,000 lux - for shade-tolerant plants that do not prefer shade, but simply put up with its existence. In general, these representatives are more fond of bright, but diffused light. Among shade-tolerant plants, one can distinguish anthurium, dieffenbachia, monstera, dracaena, ficus, spathiphyllum, fuchsia, phalaenopsis, etc.

2,500 lux and more - for light-loving plants. These include pelargoniums, roses, desert cacti, hibiscus, etc. By the way, 2,500 lux is not always enough for these plants to bloom, some of them do not form buds until their illumination exceeds 5,000 lux. Others, especially exotic citruses, require at least 8,000 to 9,000 lux to set fruit.

Longer isn't always better

Now that we've dealt with the luxes, we can talk about the duration of the lighting. In fact, many novice flower growers, having learned about the possibility of using artificial lighting, begin to highlight plants around the clock, not giving them rest. This is fundamentally wrong. In the dark, plants slow down the production of chlorophylls, but other processes necessary for life occur. For example, at night, plants absorb oxygen (in very small quantities, so you don’t need to be afraid to put flowers in the bedroom) and deprive them of the opportunity to “breathe” - this is a path that will soon lead to sad consequences.

In fact, normal artificial lighting of plants should be such that the required amount of lux is maintained for 12-14 hours. In order not to disrupt the biological processes in the plant's body, the backlight turns on at 7-8 in the morning and turns off, respectively, at 19-22.

The duration of artificial lighting also depends on natural lighting. For example, plants stand on the southern windowsill, and in winter, on a sunny day, there is enough lighting. Then turning on the lamps during the day simply does not make sense, it is enough to illuminate the plants for a couple of hours in the morning and 3-4 hours in the evening.

Such a lighting duration scheme is good for adult plants, but for seedlings it is not completely ideal. It is best if the young that have just “hatched” are illuminated around the clock - they do not need rest yet. Only when the seedlings get stronger, they can be transferred to a 16-hour daylight hours, gradually bringing its duration to 12-14 hours.

Lamps for lighting plants

And now let's talk about the main tool that will allow us to illuminate our favorite plants with the necessary amount of light. We are talking, of course, about the lamps. So what can they be?

1. Incandescent lamps

The disadvantages of incandescent lamps are following points: the absence of the blue spectrum necessary for the development of plants, low light output against the background of strong heating.

2. Fluorescent lamps

Ordinary fluorescent lamps in the form of long tubes are much more suitable for lighting plants. They have high light output (50-70 lm/W), low thermal radiation and long service life. “Daylight” lamps have been actively used by amateur flower growers for many decades, despite the fact that their radiation spectrum is not fully suitable for plants. Fluorescent lamps are more efficient, with a spectrum close to the ideal “vegetable” one. special purpose or phytolamps. There are similar lamps for algae, they create lighting for aquarium plants.

3. Discharge lamps

This type of lamp is one of the most efficient, as it allows you to illuminate large areas of greenhouses, winter gardens, greenhouses. They have a very high light output, so they are not suitable for residential premises. As a last resort, you can use such a lamp on a loggia or in a non-residential room, since the bright light of such a lamp will hurt your eyes.

Discharge lamps for plants are divided into: mercury (DRL), sodium (DnaT) and metal halide.

4. LEDs

LED lightening for plants is the most modern. LED lights do not heat up, consume a small amount of electricity, are able to work up to 50,000 hours.

In order to provide the plants with the light of the required spectrum (which mostly consists of the red and blue components), it is necessary to "dial" the lamp from red and blue LEDs in a ratio of 8:1 or 8:2.

Growing plants under artificial lighting is a fascinating and very rewarding activity. By installing the right lamps and setting up a long daylight hours, you will be surprised that Saintpaulias, it turns out, can bloom. all year round, and in winter, phalaenopsis will unexpectedly bloom butterfly flowers. It's nice that the beauty of your collection will no longer depend on the vagaries of the weather or on the presence of the "right" windows. In principle, there may be no windows at all, but the apartment will still have a green garden. The main thing is to invest in high-quality lamps for plants, which are often not too cheap.

Indoor plants are in almost every home and, of course, they need care.

The most important element for the life of vegetation is light.

Let's talk about lighting indoor flowers and how to provide it today.

light and plants

From school lessons of botany, we remember: light is the main condition for the process of photosynthesis, which, in turn, is the basis of plant nutrition. The leaves contain the coloring pigment chlorophyll.

This element absorbs from the atmosphere carbon dioxide and water and, under the influence of solar ultraviolet, converts them into oxygen and carbohydrates (glucose), which are necessary for the growth and development of the plant.

Without enough light, the process will run in the opposite direction, eventually the flower will weaken and die. Therefore, in order to ensure green pets adequate nutrition, flower growers make up for the lack of sunlight by artificial supplementary lighting with the help of special lamps.

How to understand that plants do not have enough light: the main signs

The lack of lighting affects the appearance of the flower, its shape, growth rate changes, almost all of its parts are deformed.

By the leaves

Foliage will signal a problem with the following signs:

• foliage cuttings, trying to catch at least some source of light, will be bent and stretched towards the desired source;
• behind the cuttings, the stem will begin to bend;
• rows of leaves will thin out, new leaves will begin to form on greater distance from each other;
• the sheet plate will take a curved shape, its edges may wrap;
• the color of the leaves will lose its brightness, if a pattern was previously present, it will lose its appearance, turn pale;
• the bottom row of foliage will begin to die off.

By flowers

In flowering plants with a lack of lighting:

• during flowering, much fewer inflorescences will form, it is quite possible that flowering itself will not take place;
• in the absence of proper care, the tied buds can fly around;
• a blooming flower will not have its inherent brightness, it will be smaller and unlikely to please with long flowering.

Ready-made solution or "home-made"

When choosing lighting device flower growers are faced with the question: which is better - a ready-made device or a do-it-yourself device. Let's understand the nuances of both.

Pros and cons of finished products

The advantages include big choice products depending on the spectral characteristics, price range, device design:

• the power of the device is selected according to the area of ​​​​plantations;
• modern products from a quality manufacturer are safe to use, easy to connect;
• a variety of designs allows you to choose the best location option (device hanging type, on a tripod);
• most of them are easy to use: you can adjust the height and angle of inclination, the products fit perfectly into the interior;
• many are equipped with reflectors, which facilitates the perception of unusual radiation by the human eye;
• the manufacturer indicates in the accompanying document the proportion of spectral radiation;
• modern devices can be supplemented with a mechanical or digital timer to regulate the operating time.

Minus finished products- high price. As a rule, high-quality devices from well-known manufacturers are expensive. More cheap analogues may not meet the required specifications.

The nuances of homemade devices

The advantages of "homemade":

• selection of several inexpensive products that complement each other in the color spectrum;
• the use of the most economical, energy-saving devices;
• you can also connect a timer yourself;
• self-assembly, even when buying expensive components, saves the budget.

minus improvised designs we can consider the manufacturing process itself:

• First of all, it requires the availability of tools, including for fastening (soldering iron, tester, screwdriver and others), as well as the ability to use them.
• Secondly, you need minimal knowledge in electronics, which not everyone has.

How to illuminate indoor flowers: types of lamps

When choosing a lamp for flowers, the main thing to consider is the spectrum of light that best matches the spectrum of solar radiation. Priority for normal growth and development are red and blue tones.

Incandescent lamps

Incandescent lamps with a tungsten filament will not the best choice: they have a low light intensity, they heat up a lot, and the amount of red rays in their spectrum is too high.

Work halogen lamp is provided by a mixture of xenon and krypton located inside its flask. The advantage of the device is in the brightness of the illumination, as well as in the durability of the spiral.

With a moderate amount of light emitted, it provides good brightness. This phenomenon is achieved thanks to special glass with the addition of neodymium during its cooking.

Did you know? The element neodymium was discovered by Austrian chemist Auer von Welsbach in 1885. The element is used not only in glass alloys. It is also a raw material for the manufacture of a magnet, the most powerful in the world today.

Cons of both lamps:

• strong heating and risk of plant burns;
• absence of blue color in the spectrum;
• low radiation output;
• high energy consumption.

Usually flower growers use these lamps in greenhouses for heating, and not for supplementary lighting.

Lamps of this type are popular with flower growers.

Depending on the number of flowerpots, you can choose a device of suitable power:

• lamp general meaning power up to 70 W, suitable for periodic supplementary lighting, has a low emission spectrum;
• special purpose, from 35 W to 50 W, can be used for both full and partial illumination, has an optimal color spectrum;
• compact, with a low power of 20 W, suitable for periodic supplementary lighting.

The advantages of these devices:

• high radiation output with low thermal output, which reduces the risk of leaf burns;
• economical energy consumption;
• the color spectrum corresponds to the sun as much as possible.

They consider it a disadvantage high price devices and the necessary electronic ballast for connection.

gas-discharge

Gas discharge devices are represented by three types:

• mercury. The special coating of the device brings the radiation as close as possible to the radiation spectrum desired for plants. Promotes photosynthesis, stimulates growth and stimulates flowering. Minus the device - low light output;

• sodium. Effective on large areas thanks to the built-in reflector. There is more red color in the emission spectrum, which stimulates the development of the root system. Therefore, it is recommended to alternate use with mercury and metal halide instruments to improve spectrum balance;

• metal halide. They are considered the best option due to the quality of the balanced emission spectrum, power and resource of use. The predominance of red in the luminescence spectrum is especially useful during the formation of buds in flowering plants. The disadvantage of the device is its high cost.

A common disadvantage of this type of lamp is the need for a special cartridge for connection.

LED

These semiconductor devices are considered as safe as possible, because in their design there is no gas filling, no glass shell, no filaments. The work is provided by artificial crystals through which an electric current passes.

Advantages of LEDs:

• emission of light without heat transfer;
• use even for aquarium plants;
• optimal lighting spectrum;
• economy of energy consumption;
• high working potential (up to 100 hours of continuous operation).

The disadvantage is the high cost.

Did you know? The world's first LED was produced by the American company General Electric in 1962. And the smallest device, having 0.2 mm in diameter, was invented by the Japanese.

The best solution according to flower growers

One of the cheapest fixtures is fluorescent lamps equipped with a ballast that can be connected to a conventional cartridge. Depending on the location and number of flowerpots, compact or extended devices are used, and a reflector is used to increase the useful radiation.

These fixtures do not change the temperature of the air and soil, because they do not heat up, which allows them to be used for a long time.

Gas discharge devices are most often used for growing seedlings in dark rooms. Spotlights of this type are used for high plantings, usually sodium lamps with a power of up to one hundred watts.

A tandem of sodium and metal halide ceiling-mounted luminaires with a power of 250 W or more is popular in large areas: greenhouses, winter gardens.

Universal in application, although expensive, consider LED devices. They have the closest to the solar light spectrum, do not evaporate moisture, do not overheat. Lamps are suitable for use both in large areas and for a small collection.

LEDs have a large energy reserve and are absolutely safe for long-term use.

Given the characteristics and financial capabilities, it is not difficult to choose a lamp for flowerpots, the main thing is to carefully read the characteristics of the device being purchased.

How to Calculate Light Level for Houseplants

Plants are divided into three groups according to their susceptibility to light:

• preferring to grow in open spaces to the sun;
• equally well adapted to both light and shade;
• flowers that prefer secluded shaded corners.

Shade-loving

These flowers are undemanding: for normal development, they have enough diffused lighting, but with a lack of it, they can still lose their visual appeal. Lighting requirements - 500-800 lux. These colors include,. Some types of shade-tolerant flowers with variegated leaf colors may need the same lighting. It is important to consider here that these plants in their natural habitat grow in open sunny places. Requirement - 4000-6000 lux.

Proper setting of backlight for colors

Depending on the selected lamp, its distance from the green should be within 25-50 cm. Devices should be placed above the flowers, and not on the side. Side lighting will cause the shoots to reach for the source, thereby deforming the plant.
It is important that the radiation does not scatter throughout the room, but is directed directly at the flowerpot. It is recommended for such cases to install reflectors, such as mirrors or foil around the perimeter of the illuminated area.

Important! Please note: the distance of the lamp from the object, doubled, reduces the intensity of the radiation by four times.

In general, after installing the lighting device, you can observe the behavior of the illuminated objects and, if necessary, adjust the height.

How to properly illuminate with lamps

Mostly artificial lighting is required in winter. On average, flowers need daylight hours of 12 hours, young plantations and seedlings - up to 16 hours. Therefore, the inclusion of devices is regulated relative to natural daylight hours.

In the morning and evening, turn on the appliances for three to four hours. The main factor is regular backlighting, turning it on from time to time will not bring any benefit.

You can not overdo it with lighting: plants have their own biorhythms, and round-the-clock lighting can harm their natural processes. Many plants are dormant in winter.

Such plants contain in winter without additional light at temperatures from zero to five degrees. The exception is for blooming in winter.

Important! To eliminate the risk of over-lighting, purchase a timer that will turn off the light if necessary.

Each plant is individual in its own way, so when purchasing a “pet”, be sure to ask about the nuances of caring for it, including its lighting requirements. This is an important factor in the health and longevity of your green pet.

Indoor plants are constant "residents" of apartments and offices, they make the premises beautiful and cozy. And although the flowers are adapted to growing at home, in winter time year they suffer from a lack of sunlight.

The processes of photosynthesis in the leaves slow down, plants can stop growing and even die. You can save green friends from sun starvation with a flower lamp - it emits light waves of a certain length, which are necessary for plants for normal growth and development.

The benefits of lamps for flowers

The role of a lamp for illuminating plants at home can hardly be overestimated: thanks to an additional light source, the process of photosynthesis necessary for the life of green spaces takes place. With a lack of lighting, the plants stretch out, the leaves become pale, the variegated color disappears, new leaves grow smaller.

Flowering plants drop buds, and leaves may fall off over time.

Replacing sunlight is not easy: artificial lighting must have a certain radiation spectrum and wavelength in order for the flower to adequately perceive the backlight.

A lamp for flowers will bring maximum benefit if the spectrum of its radiation includes such waves:

• Red and orange - these waves are in first place for the benefits of greenery. Without them, photosynthesis cannot be carried out, they have a direct impact on the growth rate of flowers and the degree of their development.
• Blue and violet - not only participate in photosynthesis, but also stimulate the formation of proteins in the leaves, accelerate the growth of shoots. Under the influence of the violet and blue spectrum, buds form and bloom much faster.
• Ultraviolet radiation- for growing plants, UV radiation with a wavelength of 315-380 nm and 280-315 nm is used. The first type of waves does not allow plants to stretch, the second - increases their endurance and cold resistance.

Before buying a lamp, it is best to consult with experts or read the literature to clarify what type of lighting a particular plant variety needs. Each flower needs an individual lighting mode and, given its needs, it will delight its owner with chic leaves and lush flowering.

Types of artificial lighting

The modern market is replete with a variety of indoor flower lamps, but not all of them can be effective and useful for green pets. It is important to remember the rule: you can not choose as additional lighting conventional lamps incandescent . This is due to three reasons:

1. Absence in the emitted spectrum of waves that stimulate photosynthesis.
2. strong heat lamps, risk of heat burns from the flowers.
3. High power consumption.

Therefore, as a lamp for indoor plants use:

When choosing the type of artificial lighting, amateur flower growers are faced with many nuances, and it is not always possible to get answers to the questions that have arisen. But there are a few rules or tips that you can use when arranging places where indoor green spaces will receive additional lighting:

Indoor plants gratefully respond to additional lighting, which they really need in winter; owners notice improvement immediately appearance your pets after installing a flower lamp.