Grow lights are an artificial light source that is designed specifically to stimulate plant growth. They are used where there is no sunlight or when supplemental light is required. In the winter they may be used in regions where daylight is very short. They are manufactured to provide a similar light spectrum as sunlight that is required for photosynthesis. Some types are tailored to the requirements of a specific type of plant. In some products, outdoor light is imitated by using several different colored lights. These lights are used by commercial growers who need separate blue and red ranges of spectrums.
In the past, grow light technology used induction technology for florescent lighting that didn’t have electrodes or filaments. Today, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are the light of choice for greenhouses and small-scale home horticultural use. In studies that compared them with high-pressure sodium (HPS) lighting, LED lighting was as effective for photosynthesis, root development, flower production vegetative growth in the vast majority of the plants tested and had energy costs that were more than 40 percent lower.
Along with low energy consumption for the same amount of light, LEDs also produce much less heat. The latest products are easier to install and simpler to use, and they don’t require a cooling system, which helps reduce costs. New bulbs can be configured to emit only the wavelength that corresponds to the absorption peaks of a particular type of plant. Diodes can be configured for various colors that align with the peaks. Blue diodes are the best for vegetative growth and red diodes are the best for fruits and flowers.
Today, technology enables growers to monitor their plants by using their phones. For example, with Samsung’s Galaxy s5 firmware, growers can customize the way they monitor their home gardens or greenhouses. They can simultaneously control:
• The climate
• The hydroponics
• The temperature, humidity and CO2
• The reservoir level and temperature
• The fogger and irrigation
• Multiple growing areas
• Much more
Growers can even view a webcam, doors and windows and motion sensors. The apps will also keep a journal right on your smartphone. This is a great addition because it maintains a record of growth periods and types of light for future reference. It will record the minimum and maximum readings from sensors and the total kilowatt hours for each outlet. Users can also calculate the electrical cost for each outlet and store images of the plants each day. The stages of vegetable growth and days of blooms will be recorded and saved. In some cases, averages charts are built and displayed. In fact, a complete indoor growing season can be run with a smartphone. If there are any problems detected, the grower can activate their backup and restore the environment to the correct specifications.
People who are serious about their indoor gardens or greenhouses will be able to keep track of every aspect from a distance, and return to the plantation to fix any issues in time to reduce serious damage.