Finding The Grow lights System Appropriate for Your Indoor Garden Application

By: Kimberly Green
Submitted: 2008-09-02 17:18:50
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Grow lights are electric lamps that are designed to encourage healthy plant growth by emitting electromagnetic radiation that provides the right conditions for the plant to undergo photosynthesis. This emitted light spectrum is much like that which comes from the sun, except that because it comes from a light, the plant does not need natural sunlight or even to be outdoors in order to benefit from it. Did you know that the lighting that comes from natural daylight has a high color temperature that makes the light appear bluish? Grow lights can replicate this same 6000°K lighting, so the plant grows and matures much like it would if it were outdoors and soaking up the full benefit of natural sunlight.

However, grow lights do not only emit a bluish cast of light. There are different light spectrums that are needed for different stages of growth in a plant. The plant in its initial vegetative state requires blue, but the flowering stage that occurs later on needs red and orange spectrums. Grow lights are available in colors all throughout the plant growth spectrum, and some specialty bulbs will be able to cover the entire spectrum.

So how are these lights used? Grow lights are used in conjunction with a reflector, which is used to intensify light emissions and direct how it falls onto the plant, and with an electrical ballast, which serves as a current controller to the grow light. The electrical ballast is a definite requirement, due to the high intensity of the light that is needed in order to replicate natural sunlight.

Today's types of grow lights include fluorescent lamps, high intensity discharge lamps, standard incandescent bulbs and even LEDs. High pressure sodium and metal halide are the most commonly used for professional flower and vegetable plant growing. Both are considered high intensity discharge lamps, and both must be carefully set up to ensure optimal plant growth.

You'll find grow light systems in use for plant propagation and food production, as well as indoor gardening and even for the raising of aquatic plants. These lights are almost always used on an industrial level, but will sometimes be found in private homes and small businesses.

Grow lights are available for purchase in most hardware and home and garden stores, and on specialty websites. They come in a variety of bulb sizes and types, are sold individually and in packs, and come with guidelines for usage and warranties. For more information about lighting for assisting plant growth in a synthetic setting, check with a professional in the plant growth industry.

Article source: Expert Articles