Using Fluorescent Light To Grow Plants

To grow vegetables or herbs indoors you may.

Using fluorescent light to grow plants.

Special led and fluorescent grow lights will work but so will less expensive fluorescent tube bulbs. High efficiency t5 fluorescent bulbs are so bright that one t5 does the work of two traditional bulbs. The narrower the bulb the more efficient and brighter it is due to the smaller surface area. They also last much longer.

They can be used in reflectors sized to hold from one to eight bulbs in two to four foot reflecting fixtures. Standard indoor lights do little to influence photosynthesis while using fluorescent lighting placed closely to the top of the plants can help drive this important plant process. The best solution for your plant s growth is the fluorescent grow lights. Even though they were still producing light they ended up being no better than a regular fluorescent bulb.

T5 fluorescent bulbs t for tubular 5 meaning they measure 5 8 inch in diameter are a common choice for growing plants indoors. These lights typically come in long tubelike bulbs in a range of sizes including t5 t8 and t12. Led tube lights are the brightest and most efficient choice. T12 fluorescent bulbs provide ample light for seedlings.

Be sure the light source is within 6 inches of the plant foliage for the best results. Keep in mind however that the fluorescent lights still need to be close to the plants themselves usually about 5 cm away. They are also good for starting vegetables indoors. With the right bulbs in place your fluorescent shop light will provide enough light to grow healthy plants up to 10 or 12 inches tall.

Using fluorescent garden lights to enhance plant growth allows you to grow a host of plants in an interior space. Newly emerged seedlings and young plants grow well with the aid of full spectrum light both blue wavelengths and red wavelengths. This applies to cuttings and seedlings in early stages of growth. They are basically exactly the same as a t5 fluorescent light but they run cooler and use less power.

Nowadays growers still use fluorescent lights when plants are extremely sensitive to heat. They worked just fine but certain parts of the spectrum would burn out before others. Apart from growing the plants there are several other reasons to use t8 fluorescent grow lights if you believe in go green. While i still love fluorescent light for growing cannabis and other plants these days i tend to recommend t5 led lights instead.

T8 fluorescent fixtures provide more light which can be better for more mature plants and some are energy star rated. To provide light to a few plants on a shelf you may only need a two foot fixture with a single bulb. Fluorescent shop lights to grow plants. A single fixture like this is perfect for seedlings and clones by using 2 or 3 fixtures above your plants you can increase the effective light zone to around 24 inches of good light.

I purchased expensive full spectrum lights years ago. Why choose a plant light system.