Seedlings today may well be grown at home, if you provide her with normal care. The development and growth of plants depends on daylight hours. Extend it with special lamps that help to evenly warm the plant, creating the right atmosphere for it.
Features of seedling lighting
Sunlight affects important chemical processes. In plants, under his influence, the process of photosynthesis occurs, the conversion of carbon dioxide into water and oxygen. Without sunlight or with insufficient lighting, the green mass will not receive the nutrients that it needs.
As a result, a stagnation occurs in the development, which leads to fading of the leaves. The stalk is greatly extended, becoming brittle, and the leaves stop developing. Therefore, the highlighting of seedlings is an important component of its cultivation.
Types of lamps
There are many lamps on the market that are used to illuminate the area, shelving or window sills on which plants are grown. Many gardeners prefer phyto-lamps or phytolamps. For seedlings, the use of an infrared, sodium, fluorescent or LED lamp is popular.
Unlike ordinary incandescent lamps, devices do not emit a lot of heat, do not harm the stems of plants. It is advantageous to use energy-saving lamps - they do not shake a lot of light and minimize costs.
LED
Such devices consume a minimum of electricity, while they have a high intensity of artificial lighting. Due to the red and blue emission spectra, the rapid development of plants is ensured.
LED lamp for seedlings (two types - daylight and phyto mode)
It is believed that to simulate natural sunlight, the lamp should have a color temperature of 5000-6000 degrees Kelvin.
Advantages of LED devices:
- Heat up minimally. Due to this, it is possible to install lamps above plants, without fear that leaves will be burnt.
- High profitability. In comparison with standard lamps for seedlings, these devices consume a minimum amount of electricity.
- Change of spectra. Growth, nutrition and plant synthesis are activated by changing the spectra by replacing the diode in the device.
- Durability and high performance. If there is heat dissipation, the lamps can function normally for 50,000 hours.
- The ability to install LEDs of different spectrum and power. This helps to get lighting, due to which the seedlings develop quickly and fully regardless of the time of year.
The disadvantage of LED lamps is considered only one point - the high price. But, if there is a desire and time, you can make such a lighting device yourself. Having decided to create a lamp with his own hands, the level of natural lighting of the room, the type of plants, the estimated intensity of use and other factors are taken into account.
Fluorescent
A distinctive characteristic of the lamps is the tubular shape. This type is popular due to the creation of the main lighting. Apply fluorescent lamps to illuminate plants in order to accelerate their growth. Devices give out diffused uniform light, distributing it over the entire surface. Devices emit ultraviolet light, which does no harm to plants.
Instruments are installed at a distance of 15 cm above the seedlings, providing safe lighting. Additional benefits:
- It provides a full range of flowers that are necessary for the full growth and normal development of plants;
- It is a profitable device that consumes a minimum amount of electricity;
- generates a minimum of heat during radiation.
Sodium
Lighting for seedlings using sodium lamps is considered no less high-quality than the use of other lighting devices. Lamps are designed for installation on windows - their location is safe for plants, does not harm the leaves.
The device has the following features:
- ergonomic and practical design;
- minimal power consumption;
- high power;
- development of the spectrum of rays necessary for the full growth of plants;
- pretty low price;
- high radiation power;
- availability of service and repair;
- creating a warm climate in rooms with small and large areas.
When buying sodium lamps, a detailed study of their technical characteristics is required. The main criterion to which attention is drawn is the power of the device - it should not be more than 100 watts, because otherwise the seedlings will burn. If the width of the window sills is up to 1.5 meters, a normal level of artificial lighting is created using only one lamp.
Halogen
Halogen lamps are not considered the best option for highlighting seedlings. Although they shine brighter than incandescent lamps and at the same time they are not heated so much, but over time there is a decrease in the degree of dedication.
Energy saving
The advantage of the “housekeeper” lamps is that the gardener can independently choose the necessary spectrum: warm, daytime or cold. The first is used for the flowering phase, the second for use throughout the entire growth cycle, and the cold spectrum is required for additional illumination of seedlings during the growing season and at the time of germination.
When placing LED lamps as a backlight, the following points are important:
- if burn marks appear on the leaves, the lighting device is raised higher, otherwise the seedlings will die;
- with pale leaves and elongated stems, lower the device, because such signs indicate its overly distant location;
- do not install the lamp on the side - this can lead to the growth of seedlings with a curved stem, because the device is placed on top of the plant.
Induction lamps
Not so long ago, a unique technology appeared, designed to illuminate seedlings - induction (gas ionization using electromagnetic radiation). The second name is the bispectral lamp. The source of light is a plasma created as a result of magnetic induction. Such devices have become improved and popular, due to the emission of the most popular colors from the spectrum - blue and red.
In addition, induction lamps can heat up to a temperature of 70 degrees, due to which plants receive full heat. The choice of lighting technology for seedlings is an important component of the rapid growth and development of young plants. Induction promotes rapid development, especially during short days - in winter.
Induction phytolamp for plants
Phytolamps emit light that resembles the sun as much as possible - this is important for prolonging daylight hours. Devices contribute to the normal development of seedlings at any time. Phyto-light emitted by phytolamps accelerates nutrition, growth, supports the development and health of plants.
Is it possible to illuminate seedlings with incandescent lamps?
Some people think that to get the right amount of heat and light, a few ordinary incandescent bulbs are enough to hang over seedlings. But only simple devices do not have the necessary spectrum, which would provide plants with full illumination.
Incandescent lamps consume a fairly large amount of electricity, converting only 5% of the light, everything else turns into heat. That is, the plants receive not light, but additional heat, which leads to overdrying or burns on the leaves. Therefore, it is inefficient to use incandescent lamps to illuminate seedlings.
What effect do different spectra have on seedlings?
Sunlight consists of rays with different wavelengths. Each type has a peculiar effect on seedlings. Phytolamps are necessary for prolonging daylight plants artificially. Each color in the illumination of seedlings affects the plant, contributing to their development:
- Red and orange spectrum. These colors play a large role in chemical processes, thanks to them, photosynthesis occurs. Also, red light stimulates seed germination. Under the influence of the spectrum, the sprout begins to straighten and grow up.
- Blue-violet spectrum. It is necessary to accelerate the period of development. Rays inhibit the growth of the stem itself, not allowing it to stretch. At the same time, the blue color helps to start the process of cell division, making the stem thicker. Another feature of the effect of blue on growing seedlings is the phototropism reaction, in which the growth of plant cells is slowed down when blue arrives, as a result of which the shoot bends in its direction.
- Green and yellow spectrum. Almost do not take any part in the development of plants. They are reflected from plants, their foliage does not absorb.
Self-made lamp for seedlings
In the manufacture of your own device, you can not only affect the development and growth of seedlings, but also save on light. It is preferable to make phytolamps at home - for this you will need affordable and inexpensive materials. Maintenance of such equipment does not require much time and money.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Drawing up the scheme. Develop taking into account all technical parameters. Each diode must overlap each other so that the coverage of the area is uniform.
- Preparation of all materials. To make a lamp, a lampshade of an old lamp comes in handy, with 20 white and blue diodes, 30 red and 10 simulating daylight, and a led drive.
- Equipment assembly. Mount the diodes to the aluminum plate using a thermal gun. Install a circuit breaker and connect the device to the network.
Do-it-yourself LED device. This equipment provides efficient lighting for seedlings. All the necessary materials are preliminarily prepared: a capacitor, resistances, an old energy-saving lamp, red, white and blue LEDs, a piece of one-sided fiberglass and a set of radio components.
Instructions for assembly of the device:
- Make a circuit. A circle with a diameter of 30 mm is cut out of the PCB or foil; tracks are drawn on it using nail polish. They make a solvent for copper, put a lamp there - this way the tracks are cleaned. They drill small holes in the board, solder all the details.
- Assemble the lamp. Disassemble the old lamp, getting rid of all the insides, leaving only the wires coming from the base. Solder the fabricated circuit to these wires.
Seedlings can be illuminated with various devices that extend daylight hours and accelerate plant growth. The gardener has the opportunity not only to purchase ready-made lighting fixtures, but also to make them yourself, spending a minimum amount of money.
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Ukraine. City: Kryvyi Rih
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