Choosing a phytolamp for seedlings
Phytolamps make it easier to care for seedlings during short daylight hours. Young seedlings are illuminated, otherwise it will not be possible to get strong, healthy plants. For some potted crops, devices are turned on almost all year round. Therefore, choosing a suitable device is a responsible task. Let's consider which phytolamp is better for seedlings.
How does lighting affect seedlings?
Light for plants is a source of full development. Only under its influence does the process of photosynthesis occur, which contributes to the proper formation of both the above-ground parts of the plant and the root system.
Different parts of the spectrum have their influence on seedlings. Red is required for seed germination and vertical development, flowering, and fruit formation; without it, the sprout will be pale and crooked. When this part of the spectrum is absorbed for 10 minutes, the process of photosynthesis starts, the cotyledons turn green, and the plant straightens.
Reference. Before the first shoots, illumination is carried out in the red spectrum, when sprouts appear - in the mixed spectrum, then - in the blue spectrum.
Blue and violet colors contribute to an increase in green mass in the vegetative growth phase and have an inhibitory effect on cell division, so the seedlings do not elongate and the stem thickens.
Can incandescent lamps be used?
The biggest mistake when lighting plants is the use of conventional incandescent electric lamps. They provide more than 90% heat and only 5-6% light.This small amount has no benefit to the plant because it does not meet the color spectrum requirements. Incandescent lamps only lead to burns, drying out of the top layer of soil and large electricity bills.
Requirements for additional lighting
To form healthy seedlings, the main conditions are maintained - the time of additional illumination and the power of light flux in relation to photosynthesis. The duration depends on the specific plants: some receive more light, others less. The power of the lamp should not harm the sprouts: if it is intense, it is placed higher, if weak, it is placed lower.
Too powerful lamps installed at a height of 40–50 cm from the plants will work ineffectively, scattering the light. Therefore, they are used with lampshades or canopies that direct the entire light flux to boxes or pots with seedlings.
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Types of phytolamps
A wide range of lighting sources for plants is due to the latest advances in industry. Technologies allow you to choose a phytolamp based on efficiency, power consumption, and service life.
The best devices according to their operating principle:
- luminescent;
- induction;
- sodium;
- LED
According to the type of spectrum, phytolamps for seedlings are divided into bicolor, multispectral and full spectrum radiation.
Advice. Seedlings are given additional illumination not only in the morning and evening, but also during daylight hours, especially if the pots are on the western and northern windowsills.In winter and autumn, this is also done with plants on the south and east sides.
Luminescent
In everyday life, such devices are called fluorescent lamps, because the spectrum they emit creates the illusion of sunlight. They have been used by gardeners and flower growers for a long time. The devices do not burn plants, are economical and are produced in two tones - warm and cold. Warm ones are used to form a strong above-ground part of plants and during the flowering period, cold ones are used for the full development of the root system.
Disadvantages of fluorescent lamps:
- short service life (average 3500 hours);
- harmful effects on the retina, UV radiation;
- irritating influence of the blue spectrum;
- low power, which is why 2-3 lamps are used per window sill.
The average cost of one device is 500 rubles.
To ensure that plants receive more light, reflective foil screens are installed on the sides of the windows.
Energy saving
This type of fluorescent lamps allows you to use one device for a long time without much damage to your wallet. They cost more (700–800 rubles), but they last up to 15,000 hours. The devices practically do not heat up, so they do not burn the plants.
Sodium biolamps
Such devices are used in large greenhouse complexes and with low power (from 70 W) at home. They are expensive, require special conditions for turning on and off, maintaining a distance to the seedlings to prevent burns. They are actively used by agricultural enterprises in large greenhouse complexes to increase the yield of vegetable, green and flower crops.
The glow in the red spectrum is balanced for the plant, promotes flowering, fruit formation, and is safe and comfortable for the eyes.Sodium arc mirror lamps (SALA), which are optimal for seedlings, are equipped with a reflector that protects plants from overheating. They have high luminous efficiency (up to 150 Lm/W), a service life of up to 25,000 hours and a luminous flux up to 30% greater than that of tubular lamps.
Reference. Some models require a special adapter.
The average cost of such a device is 1000-2000 rubles.
Induction
The principle of operation of such lamps is similar to fluorescent lamps, only the spectrum is as close as possible to that of the sun. Such devices are durable and economical. The service life declared by manufacturers is up to 20 years with constant use. The flask heats up slightly, so the lamp is placed close to the seedlings without the risk of burning them.
Bispectral models emit light in the red and blue ranges, which is convenient for illuminating plants, but not entirely comfortable for humans.
Due to the presence of mercury compounds, such devices, like luminescent ones, require special disposal. They emit UV radiation and are potentially toxic if the bulb is damaged.
The cost of induction phytolamps is the highest - from 4000 rubles.
LED agricultural lamps
Such devices consume little electricity, last 20–25 years, are safe and environmentally friendly, but their glow is not entirely comfortable for humans. There is no UV radiation in the spectrum.
LEDs emit exactly the spectrum that plants need at various stages of their development, but without a reflector they can overheat the leaves. It is easy to switch the device to the required spectrum: just replace the diode, and the color will change from blue to red. Such lamps are also made multi-spectral, which eliminates the need to adjust anything in them.
The average price of an LED agricultural lamp is 1,500 rubles.
Healthy! If it is not possible to provide additional light to the plants, it is better to choose early-ripening crops and sow them at a later date.
Which phytolamp to choose for growing seedlings
Manufacturers offer devices for every taste, budget and request.
When choosing a phytolamp, consider:
- luminous flux in the PAR (photosynthetic active radiation) zone - the useful amount of light that falls on the plant;
- type, cost, power;
- purpose (for seedlings, indoor flowers, greenhouses);
- efficiency, size, ease of installation;
- safety for people and plants.
Popular models
The rating of agricultural lamps is based on a thorough study of their characteristics, reviews from gardeners and expert opinions. The list includes only reliable, durable, safe and effective models.
Uniel at 10 W
This is a small-sized full-spectrum LED phytolamp. Its use guarantees normal photosynthesis and accelerates the growth of seedlings. It is suitable for supplementary lighting of plants in apartments, in small areas. The lamp power is 10 W, energy consumption is very low. Cost - 550 rub.
DNaZ "Reflax" 70/G
The 70W sodium mirror lamp lasts up to 20,000 hours. Suitable for illuminating seedlings with an area of 1–1.5 m². Thanks to the lighting angle of 120°, it produces an oval spot of light that completely covers the surface with plants. A continuous spectrum guarantees the growth and development of crops. The price of the lamp is 1000 rubles.
“Health treasure” at 16 W
The length of the phyto-lamp is 56 cm, the height is adjustable from 10 to 50 cm. The LED lamp is safe for plants and human eyes. Its spectrum contains only white, blue and red colors, which provides proper lighting for the green part and root system.Thanks to rotation around its axis, the lamp promotes better seedling growth and timely flowering. Cost - 2000 rubles.
"Yarchesvet Fito" WST-05
The popularity of this lamp is explained by its bispectral nature and various installation methods. The 35W LED bulb emits blue and red colors. It is installed on legs or suspended on a special mount. The device is used for both seedlings and indoor flowers. It works equally well on the windowsill and balcony. Price - 3000 rub.
Reference. Good phytolamps are produced in Russia, China, and the Netherlands.
How to make a phytolamp with your own hands
For those who want to save money, we suggest considering the option of making the device at home. For this you will need:
- LED strip in two colors (blue and red);
- power supply (a charger from an old mobile phone will do);
- aluminum profile or plywood.
The tape is glued to a profile or piece of plywood that fits the size of the window sill. Connect power. Holes are made along the edges of the profile through which a strong rope, cord or wire is passed, and the structure is suspended at the desired height.
How to properly highlight seedlings
Plants require additional lighting throughout the entire growing period on the windowsill. Daylight hours are short for the full formation and development of sprouts. In addition, 2/3 of autumn, winter and early spring the weather is mostly cloudy, especially in northern latitudes. There is a catastrophic lack of natural light for seedlings.
How much time
Different plants require different lengths of daylight. For example, tomatoes develop properly with at least 15–17 hours of light per day.Bell peppers and cucumbers are not so demanding - they need 13-14 hours.
Healthy! Be sure to light up the boxes with the sown seeds - this way they hatch faster.
On average, plants need 8–10 hours of light per day, so from autumn to mid-spring the lamps are turned on for 4–6 hours. Before planting a new crop, its characteristics of growth in nature are studied. To achieve growth, flowering and fruiting, it is important to imitate natural conditions.
How to install on a windowsill
The preferred placement of phytolamps is in a suspended state with the ability to adjust the height as the seedlings grow. LED, fluorescent, induction devices are placed from 10 to 30–40 cm above the soil surface. Incandescent or sodium lamps - no closer than 50 cm. Depending on the age of the plants, the height of the devices also changes.
To determine a safe height, hold your hand under the switched-on lamp. If it's too warm, the plants will be uncomfortable. In this case, the device is installed higher.
Conclusion
To obtain strong and healthy seedlings on the windowsill, from the very first days they are watered, fed and given additional light. Without adequate lighting, plants stretch out, become weak, fragile and non-viable. To bring maximum benefit and not harm the seedlings, LED, sodium arc mirror, fluorescent or induction phytolamps are used. When placed at a suitable height, such devices do not burn the foliage and promote proper photosynthesis and the formation of healthy seedlings.