Indoor plants do not always have enough light at home. Without this, their development will be slow or wrong. To avoid this, you can install LEDs for plants. It is such a lamp that can give the necessary color spectrum. LED lamps are widely used for lighting greenhouses, greenhouses, in gated gardens and aquariums. They replace sunlight well, do not require large expenses and have a long service life.
Photosynthesis of plants is a process that takes place under sufficient lighting. The following factors also contribute to the proper development of plants : ambient temperature, humidity, light spectrum, day and night duration, carbon adequacy.
Determination of light sufficiency
If you decide to install fixtures for plants, then you need to do this as correctly as possible. To do this, you need to decide which plants lack the beam, and which one will be redundant. If lighting is planned in a greenhouse, then zones with a different spectrum must be provided. Next, determine the number of LEDs themselves. Professionals do this with a special device - a light meter. On your own, you can also calculate. But you have to dig a bit and design the right model.
If the project is done for a greenhouse, there is one universal rule for all types of light sources. When the height of the suspension increases, the illumination decreases.
LEDs
The spectrum of color radiation is of great importance. The optimal solution would be red and blue LEDs for plants in a proportion of two to one. How many watts the device will have does not matter much.
But more often use single-watt. If there is a need to install diodes yourself, it is better to purchase ready-made tapes. You can fix them with glue, buttons or screws. It all depends on the holes provided. There are a lot of manufacturers of such products, it is better to choose a well-known, and not a faceless seller, who can not give guarantees for his product.
Light wavelength
The spectrum of natural sunlight contains both blue and red. They allow plants to develop mass, grow and bear fruit. When irradiated only with a blue spectrum with a wavelength of 450 nm, the representative of the flora will be stunted. Such a plant can not boast of a large green mass. It will also be bad to bear fruit. When absorbing the red range with a wavelength of 620 nm, it will develop roots, bloom well and bear fruit.
Pros of LEDs
When the plant is illuminated with LED lamps, it goes all the way: from the sprout to the fruits. At the same time, during the operation of the luminescent device, only flowering will occur. LEDs for plants do not heat up, so there is no need for frequent ventilation of the room. In addition, there is no possibility of thermal overheating of representatives of the flora.
Such lamps for growing seedlings are irreplaceable. The directivity of the radiation spectrum contributes to the fact that the shoots grow stronger in a short time. The plus is the low power consumption. LEDs are second only to sodium lamps. But they are ten times more economical than incandescent lamps. LEDs for plants last up to 10 years. Warranty period - from 3 to 5 years. By installing such lights, for a long time you do not have to worry about replacing them. Such lamps do not have harmful substances in their composition. Despite this, their use in greenhouses is very preferable. The market today represents a large number of various designs of such lamps: they can be suspended, mounted on a wall or ceiling.
Minuses
To increase the radiation intensity, the LEDs are assembled into a large structure. This is a disadvantage only for small rooms. In large greenhouses, this is not significant. A disadvantage can be considered a high cost in comparison with analogues - fluorescent lamps. The difference can be up to eight times. But diodes will pay for themselves after several years of service. They can significantly save energy. Reduced glow observed after the warranty period. With a large area of the greenhouse, more lighting points are needed compared to other types of lamps.
Radiator for the lamp
It is necessary that heat be removed from the device. This will be done better by a radiator, which is made of an aluminum profile or steel sheet. Less labor costs will require the use of a U-shaped finished profile. It’s easy to calculate the area of the radiator. It should be at least 20 cm 2 per 1 Watt. After all the materials are selected, you can assemble everything in one chain. LEDs for plant growth are best alternated by color. Thus, uniform illumination is obtained.
Phyto LED
Such a latest development, as a phyto-LED, is able to replace conventional analogues that shine in only one color. The new device in one chip has collected the necessary range of LEDs for plants. It is needed for all stages of growth. The simplest phytolamp usually consists of a block with LEDs and a fan. The latter, in turn, can be adjusted in height.
Fluorescent lamps
Fluorescent lamps for a long time remained at the peak of popularity in residential gardens and kitchen gardens. But such lamps for plants are not suitable for the color spectrum. They are increasingly being replaced by phyto-LED or special purpose fluorescent lamps.
Sodium
Such a strong saturation light, like a sodium apparatus, is not suitable for placement in an apartment. Its use is advisable in large greenhouses, gardens and greenhouses, in which plants are illuminated. The disadvantage of such lamps is their low productivity. They convert two-thirds of the energy into heat and only a small part goes to light radiation. In addition, the red spectrum of such a lamp is more intense than blue.
Making the device yourself
The easiest way to make a lamp for plants is to use the tape on which the LEDs are located. She needs red and blue spectra. They will be connected to the power supply. The latter can be purchased in the same place as the tape - in a hardware store. It also needs a mount - a panel the size of the lighting area.
Production should begin with cleaning the panel. Next, you can glue the diode tape. To do this, remove the protective film and stick it to the panel with the sticky side. If you have to cut the tape, then its pieces can be connected using a soldering iron.
LEDs for plants do not need additional ventilation. But if the room itself is little ventilated, then it is advisable to install the tape on a metal profile (for example, aluminum). Lighting modes for flowers in a room can be as follows:
- for those growing far from the window, 1000-3000 lux will be enough in a shaded place;
- for plants that need diffused light, the value will be up to 4000 lux;
- representatives of the flora who need direct lighting - up to 6000 lux;
- for tropical and those bearing fruit, up to 12,000 lux.
If you want to see indoor plants in a healthy and beautiful form, you must carefully satisfy their need for lighting. So, we found out the advantages and disadvantages of LED lamps for plants, as well as the spectrum of their rays.