Light is a source of strength and energy of plants. Currently, phytolamps use all flower growers, without exception. All gardeners and gardeners who are engaged in seedlings are aware that it is now quite difficult to prepare seedlings for planting in open ground. Currently, cultivated plant species are exposed to numerous diseases, and the main problem is insufficient lighting.
What are phytolamps?
At a time when plants have already been planted in special trays, and daylight hours have not yet reached 12 o’clock, they definitely need lighting that will prevent seedlings from dying. Very often, gardeners and gardeners complain that the plants have too long stems and that they are very broken. A simple, and most importantly, a very convenient solution was found to all these problems.
Why are conventional incandescent lamps not suitable for highlighting seedlings?
Conventional incandescent lamps are not suitable for highlighting seedlings - this is due to the fact that under them it is very hot and still dark, there will be no sense from them. Their light output is very low, which adversely affects plants.
Proper lighting for plants
So that seedlings do not need anything, you can create the right lighting with a phytolamp for plants. They create radiation that is as close as possible to sunlight. In fact, thanks to this, it is possible to alleviate the situation of those who want to grow good seedlings at home. Trays can be placed in any place, even in the darkest one, because with the help of phytolamps, gardeners easily grow various plants, which in the future will not be scared to plant in open ground.
Why else do you need phytolamps?
Home-made phytolamps for plants are also necessary in the winter garden - this is necessary in order to create daylight for the time it takes for a particular seedling. Also, with the help of such a miracle lamp, you can easily highlight plants in all flower shops.
It should be remembered that the phytolamp simply can not be replaced by an ordinary light bulb. It is also necessary to remember that each plant requires separate attention, and therefore, different lighting. Some varieties require more than fourteen hours of daylight, while others require eight. That is why it is necessary to carefully read the special literature, which describes how to care for various garden crops, and only then buy or make do-it-yourself phytolamps for indoor plants.
Lighting data for various plants
For comparison, we can cite data that are compiled on the basis of how much plants receive less sunlight:
Name | Required lighting |
Pepper | 3000-4000 lx |
Roses and Citruses | 6000-8000 lx |
Bananas | 4000-6000 lx |
Pineapples | No more than 3,000 lux |
Grenades | 4000-6000 lx |
Do not forget that plants after germination from seeds necessarily need round-the-clock lighting, it must gradually be reduced to 16, and then to 14 hours. Some garden crops require rest for a couple of months, the illumination should be no more than ten hours a day, while others should slightly increase the daylight hours for the formation of buds.
Another very important rule that will quickly facilitate the work of growing plants - lighting should be as natural as possible, and therefore, fall from above. The most important feature of such lamps is, of course, lighting. Basically, it happens in pink or blue shades - this is unusual for the human eye, and can also irritate the mucous membrane. Such light very often causes a headache. Because of this, experts advise using special glasses that are designed specifically for eye protection. Phytolamps with pink light are necessary for older plants in order to accelerate and improve the quality of flowering and the formation of the fruits themselves. Phytolamps for plants with blue light are designed for the development of green mass and root system.
Currently, you can make phytolamps for plants with your own hands in various forms. There are round and elongated lamps. Also, special fixtures are made for each form, which you can either do it yourself or buy it.
Some of the principles of lighting plants in winter
The difference in illumination in winter and summer is very significant, which is why plants are not enough light, and they begin to die. In summer, plants have to be slightly obscured with a tulle curtain, but starting in autumn, they must be rearranged closer to the light so that they are saturated with vitamins throughout the winter.
How can we know that plants lack light? Many people confuse the lack of light with the drying up of an earthen coma or with too much watering. If you look closely, you can understand everything. If the plant really has a lack of light, then:
- The shoots are pulled.
- New leaves are smaller than old.
- The color is pale.
Variegated forms of plants become weakly green or monotonous. In poor lighting conditions, the leaves begin to dry and fall off very quickly, and the apical buds cease to develop. It is possible to understand that there is not enough lighting by the following signs: the plant stops growing, no new shoots are formed, old leaves dry out and die off.
Currently, there are a wide variety of phytolamps on sale, which you can buy in a specialized store. Plants should be placed at a distance of 20-40 cm for decorative deciduous, 10-20 cm for decorative flowering. If the plant is located on either side of the lamp, it needs to be turned around periodically - this is done so that the crown remains uniform.
In fact, the duration of artificial lighting, of course, depends on natural light. It is best to turn on the lamp for several hours in the morning and evening. On cloudy days, the lighting should be at least 12 hours.
How to choose the right lighting time?
All chemical reactions that cause flowering occur mainly only at night. For such a process, it is necessary to prepare the plant, the minimum time of the dark period should not be more than 9 hours.
The duration of illumination of plants before flowering should be at least 16 hours. If you use phytolamps, then flowering can be greatly enhanced. Florists say, before the plant blooms, there is some acceleration of leaf growth.
DIY LED lamps
Do-it-yourself LED phytolamp for plants is actually quite simple. In order to make such a lamp, you will need the following materials:
- Polypropylene pipe 20.
- Dural eaves about 35 cm long.
- Fitting.
- Special holders for pipes.
- Small pieces of blue and red LED strips.
- Power Supply.
LED phytolamps for indoor plants can be made as follows:
- It is necessary to carefully weld the frame along the width of the windowsill, fix the pipes with fittings.
- Next, you should attach the duralumin frame and already then mount the ceiling.
- Then you need to attach the LED strip and power supply to them. Do-it-yourself LED phytolamp for plants is ready!
What is the role of light for plants?
No one will dispute the fact that in the autumn-winter period, plants are especially lacking in light. It is impossible to create a backlight from ordinary incandescent lamps in any case - this can very much harm seedlings. But what is the role of light at home?
- Sunlight is needed by plants for proper growth and development.
- All plants have phototropism - they are able to move towards sunlight.
- Thanks to proper lighting, the plants will grow evenly, stronger and healthier.
Do-it-yourself phytolamps for plants
The design for illuminating seedlings is a transformer made of a wooden bar and a fluorescent lamp.
To make a phytolamp for plants with your own hands you will need:
- 2 bars 1 meter long each 2 * 4 cm.
- Screws long 6 cm - 2 pieces.
- Screws short 3.5 cm - 4 pieces.
- Fluorescent lamp with a lamp.
- Meter wire with plug and switch.
The lamp is fixed on a bar 75 cm long, from the sides 6 sections 20 cm long are screwed onto the screws, with the help of which transportability and transportability of the structure are ensured. In the lower mount, where three segments are connected, it is best to use a bolt with a nut, since they do not hold very well on the screws and loosen very quickly during various turns.
The distance between seedlings and lights should be at least 10 cm.The maximum height of such a lamp for plants, created with their own hands, is 35 cm.It is best to supplement the design with an additional reflector, in this case an ordinary baking foil is suitable.
Now it’s clear how to make phytolamps for plants with your own hands. Photos can be seen in the article.