LAMPS FOR SEEDLINGS: HOW TO CHOOSE AND INSTALL LIGHTING FOR GROWING PLANTS AT HOME

Usually, when growing seedlings, gardeners do not use any lighting elements, considering their purchase as a waste of money. However, if you have a lot of boxes with seedlings and everyone does not have enough space on the window sill, then the question of artificial lighting becomes much more relevant. The plants grown in the shade are much smaller and weaker than seedlings that receive a sufficient amount of light, therefore, given this fact, it makes sense to think about buying the appropriate fixtures. With proper placement and accurate selection of power device, no burns should not be afraid.

Is it possible to highlight seedlings with a conventional lamp

The cheapest option today lighting elements is ordinary incandescent lamp, but it is definitely not suitable for highlighting seedlings. Firstly, even the most powerful and expensive version of such a device will not allow you to get the necessary amount of such important blue and red light due to the limited light spectrum, and secondly, no matter what distance above the seedlings you place lights, the risk of burning still very high. That is why it is worth considering other options for the organization of artificial lighting.

Did you know? In the American city of Livermore (California) on one of the fire stations there is a so-called centenary light bulb, which has been shining almost continuously since 1901. It is noted in the Guinness Book of Records as the most durable.

Types of lamps

Among the many lamps on the market, the luminescent and LED versions are especially popular, but in order to understand exactly what their advantage is, it is important to study the characteristics of other lamps: sodium, mercury, metal halide.

Fluorescent

This kind of lamp is gas discharge light sourcewhere an electrical discharge in mercury vapor provides an ultraviolet glow. Subsequently, when using a special conversion agent, it is transformed into visible light fluxes. Fluorescent lamps are characterized by much greater luminous efficacy than the usual incandescent lamps with the same power indices. With a more detailed study of all characteristics of fluorescent lamps, we obtain the following data:

Efficiency - maximum 20-22%.
Lifetime - when turned on about 2000 times, about 5 years.
Light efficiency - 50-80 lm / W.
Energy consumption - 15-65 W / h.
Color temperature - 2700-7700 ° K (depending on the variety).

Obviously, fluorescent lights have a mass meritsBecause they not only give off much more light, but also emit various shades, while providing diffused lighting. In addition, in comparison with standard incandescent bulbs, such types of lighting elements can guarantee longer work, of course, if you are not going to use them in public places (there is a limit on the number of inclusions). Lighting in this case will be as close as possible to natural. As for deficiencies fluorescent lamps, then they include the following:

chemical hazard due to rather high mercury content (from about 2.3 to 1 g);
unevenness and linearity of the color spectrum, which is sometimes hard perceived by human vision;
a change in the color spectrum due to the degradation of the phosphor (as a result, the light output decreases and the efficiency decreases), but this takes time;
with a small capacitance of the lamp capacitor it may flicker with double the frequency of the power supply;
availability of a starting device, which is supplied with either an unreliable starter or an expensive electronic ballast.

Did you know? The ancestors of modern fluorescent lamps were gas-discharge versions of these lamps, which appeared in 1856. The first person who managed to observe the glow of gas under the influence of current, was the famous scientist Mikhail Lomonosov.

Sodium

In such types of lighting elements, the light source is sodium couplescontaining a gas discharge. Because of this, in their spectrum of light resonant radiation of bright orange color prevails. Of course, the color quality in this case cannot be called perfect, since the radiation itself is characterized by monochrome. Based on the value of the partial vapor pressure, all such lighting elements are divided into lamps of low and high pressure, and characteristics of luminaires are expressed in the following figures:

Efficiency - maximum 30% (for high-pressure lamps).
Service life - up to 16-28 thousand hours.
The light output is 150 lumens / watt (in the case of high pressure lamps) and 200 lumen / watts (for low pressure lamps).
Power consumption - 70-60 W / h.
The color temperature is 2000-2500 ° K.

Features of the color spectrum and significant flicker with double the frequency of the mains supply allow the use of sodium lamps in street lighting, in particular decorative and architectural.

Benefits This option are as follows:

long-term work;
relatively high light output during the entire period of operation (below 130 lm / W can be observed only at the end of the lamp service);
radiation comfortable for human eyes;
possibility of use in the cultivation of seedlings in the later periods or for other domestic purposes.

As for deficiencies sodium varieties, it is:

manufacturing difficulty due to the presence of sodium vapor;
poor color quality;
high sensitivity to sudden voltage drops in the mains (for long service, the voltage fluctuation should be no more than 5-10%);
the need for additional equipment (there must necessarily be a control gear, selected in accordance with the characteristics of a particular lamp);
the need for a simple (5-10 minutes) before re-starting;
low environmental safety due to the presence of sodium vapor inside the lamp bulb.

Perhaps for domestic purposes such lamps would be appropriate (for example, for street lighting), but when growing seedlings it makes sense to consider other options, characterized by greater safety of use and a wide color spectrum.

Important! Monochrome radiation from high-pressure sodium lamps (in the orange-yellow spectrum) will be appropriate to speed up the process of budding crops, so they are sometimes installed in greenhouses.

Mercury

Discharge lamps of this type are another good light source, the optical radiation in which occurs due to discharge in mercury vapor. Based on the gas pressure in the lamp, RL is released with low, high and ultrahigh pressure. Accordingly, the partial pressure of mercury vapor is distributed as up to 100 Pa, up to 100 kPa and 1 MPa or more.

Characteristics of mercury lamps are expressed in the following indicators:

Efficiency - maximum 10-12%.
Service life - up to 10-15 hours.
Light efficiency - 45-60 lumen / watt.
Power consumption - 50-400 W / h.
Color temperature - up to 3800 ° K.

These types of lighting elements are economically unprofitable, and are most often used for lighting city streets, industrial facilities and workshops, where there are no high demands on the quality of color rendering.

Virtues gas discharge mercury lamps are expressed in the following:

they are compact;
possess rather high luminous efficiency;
5-7 times more economical than ordinary incandescent bulbs;
when used correctly, provide up to 15,000 hours of stable operation;
much less incandescent bulbs heat up;
reproduce different colors;
can work in conditions of low and high temperatures (from +50 to -40 ° C).

disadvantages mercury lighting elements are not less noticeable, they include:

low color temperature (not more than 3800 ° K);
long ignition (7-10 minutes);
high susceptibility to changes in the network;
relatively low color reproduction;
long lamp cooling period;
reduction of color rendition, starting from the second half of the operational period;
low level of environmental friendliness due to the presence of mercury in the structure.

Like sodium lamps, mercury lamps are more suitable for domestic purposes, but for the successful cultivation of seedlings in the initial stages of their capabilities will not be enough.

Get acquainted with the peculiarities of growing seedlings of cucumbers, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, beets, onions, zucchini, strawberries, flowers.

Metal halide

This species, as described above, represents the group high-pressure gas discharge lighting elements. However, unlike them, the metal halide provides luminescence due to the introduction of special additives into the burner - some metal halides. The characteristics of metal halide lamps are expressed in the following terms:

Efficiency - maximum 16-28%.
Service life - up to 6-10 hours.
Light efficiency - 80-170 lumen / watt.
Power consumption - 70-400 W / h.
Color temperature - from 2500 ° K (yellow light) to 20 000 ° K (blue light).

Metal halide lamps are mainly used in outdoor architectural lighting and for illuminating decorative elements, although their use in industrial and public buildings and concert scenes is not excluded. They will be an excellent solution to the issue of lighting wherever you need increased brightness and spectral characteristics as close as possible to daylight.

Benefits IPM are as follows:

high light output (up to 170 lumen / watt);
good energy efficiency;
relatively high power characteristics (up to 3500 watts);
stable operation regardless of temperature;
the maximum approximation of light to the sun, so that radiation is normally perceived by the human eye;
small size of the lamp;
long term use.

TO cons metal halide lighting elements include:

higher cost;
a change in the chromaticity of the radiation due to power surges in the power grid;
long start;
the need for reliable lamp cover in the lamp (high voltage can lead to an explosion of the element).

Did you know? Thomas Edison's incandescent filament was made from carbonized bamboo.

LED light

Many summer residents consider the LED version of luminaires to be the optimal solution for the need for additional lighting of seedlings. This stand-alone device has many advantages, especially in comparison with many other lighting options. At a minimum, it consumes much less electricity, since the technology is based on a completely different principle of radiation. In addition, the outgoing light as close as possible to natural sunlight, which has a beneficial effect on plants. Characteristics of modern LED lamps are represented by the following values:

Efficiency - maximum 99%.
Service life - up to 100,000 hours;
Light efficiency - 10-200 lumen / watt;
Energy consumption - 1 W / hour (per diode).
The color temperature is 2700-6500 ° K.

Various design features of LED lighting elements allow you to use them absolutely in any places: for example, tapes are easy to fasten to furniture, and lamps can be screwed into ordinary sockets. Among the main advantages allocate:

low electricity consumption (only 10% of the consumption of standard incandescent bulbs);
long service life without a significant reduction in the quality of radiation;
high resistance to mechanical stress;
environmental friendliness (LEDs do not need any harmful substances);
the possibility of regulating the intensity of the glow;
low voltage in working condition;
fast warming up to maximum light intensity;
lack of serious heating of the case.

Significant deficiencies LEDs do not, however, it is worth noting their sensitivity to elevated temperature (impossible to use in baths and saunas), the lack of complete information about the characteristics on the packaging, but this is more likely due to dishonesty of manufacturers.

Read also about the preparation of soil for seedlings: the basic rules for the preparation of soil mixture, soil disinfection, growing seedlings in toilet paper.

Which lamp is better to use for growing seedlings: fluorescent or LED

After considering all possible types of luminaires for illuminating seedlings, in our opinion, only two of them can be called: LED and fluorescent. Gas-discharge varieties (mercury, sodium and metal halide) are not always able to provide the necessary conditions for plants. For example, in mercury lamps, the flux of light is almost two times less than in others, and sodium because of its bright yellow-orange glow is more suitable for flowers and to illuminate crops in the late periods of cultivation.

Important! Sodium varieties of lamps can not be plugged in immediately into the outlet, they have a special connection.

As for the metal-halide lighting elements, this is the most expensive option, and it is better to use it in cases when vegetative development is preferable, rather than flowering. Conventional incandescent bulbs should not even be considered, since instead of the desired seedlings of the blue-red spectrum, they emit a rich yellow-red, they quickly heat up and do not fit well into the overall interior.

Given all the above, it is only logical to consider two options for seedling lighting: using fluorescent and LED lamps. The first ones are distinguished by the full luminescence spectrum (of course, with the right choice and connection), and the second ones are characterized by low power consumption and the possibility to choose a specific variant of the lighting element for any stage of seedling development: first, the blue color should be dominant, and the red-orange one should be complementary. It is believed that LEDs have more favorable characteristics in comparison with luminescent lighting elements, but one should not forget about the importance of correct location. If the LED light beam will be directed directly to the box, and the energy-saving fluorescent lamp is fixed too high, then it is clear that the light from it will be diffused, and not reaching the plants. However, LED lighting elements are considered to be popular today, so it is worth exploring them more closely.

We advise you to read about making your own wooden rack for growing seedlings.

How to choose a LED lamp for plants

Unlike many other luminaires, the LED group has a large variety of design variations, which can also be characterized by individual functional features.

Lamp type

In appearance, the LED design emit lamps (mainly round and square), ordinary light bulbs (screwed into the base) and LED strips that can be attached anywhere. Popular forms include "corn", "flask" and LED tubes (especially T8 or G13).

LED in shape tubes - a good solution if you need to slightly change the tubular fluorescent lamp, since the new elements fully correspond to their size and the location of the contacts (the LEDs are placed on the board along the entire length of the lamp). Tubular Lamp Shape flasks - the most common type of lamp that can be found with both SMD and COB LEDs. Most often it is a matte flask, which guarantees good dispersion of light fluxes. Also an attractive option will be the varieties with filament LEDs, which look very similar to standard incandescent bulbs, only long LEDs take the place of the spirals. Corn Lamps got its name from the cylindrical shape and the surface, covered with SMD-LEDs. This design of the lighting element allows for a good distribution of light fluxes and high power of the lamp itself. Lamp "corn" When choosing a LED lighting element, it is important to take into account the type of base (of course, if we are not talking about the tape).

They are divided into the following types:

Standard (denoted by the letter "E" and indicate the type of screw mounting). The numbers next to the letter - the diameter of the cap, which previously could be used for mounting conventional incandescent bulbs. At home, E27 or E14 bases are most common, and large diameters are found on the street (E40).

GU10 connector is represented by two pins with small bulges at the ends (G - male, U - thickened, 10 - space between the pins). The overall design resembles the structure of a starter used in old gas-discharge light sources. Lamps with this type of basement are characterized by a swivel mount and are mainly used as a ceiling lamp with a reflector.

For replacing halogen components, G4, G9, GU5.3, GU10, GX 53 bases are used. As in the previous versions, the number is the designation of the distance between the pin components.
As a replacement for linear quartz lamps in searchlights, an R7s base LED can be used, and to replace compact fluorescent elements, the base type should be marked as G23.
G13 and G5 caps will replace fluorescent counterparts with body T8 and T5.

Important! When arranging space for seedlings, the GX 53 base will be appropriate, since lamps with such a connector are excellent for overhead and built-in lamps on the furniture or the ceiling.

Number of LEDs

Modern LED strips for plants can have a different color ratio (red to blue). This is 10: 3, and 15: 5, and 5: 1. The best option in most cases is considered the latter, in which there is 1 blue for 5 red LED bulbs. True, such a solution can be called optimal only if the seedlings are on the windowsill and receive additional lighting from the street. As for the total number of LEDs, this value will depend on the area of your plantings in pots and glasses. On 1 square. m is usually enough 30-50 W of LED power, that is, 30-50 pieces of LEDs of 1 W each. However, these values will be valid only when it comes to the additional lighting of seedlings on the window sill, otherwise the number of diodes will have to be increased.

Learn more about choosing the right seedling container and the benefits of using cassettes, peat tablets and diapers.

Power

The brightness of the radiation directly depends on the power characteristics of the LED lamps. Thus, lighting elements of 2-3 W can provide a luminous flux of 250 lm, 4-5 W - 400 lm, and 8-10 W - 700 lm. However, these indicators are not enough for most of the cultivated crops, so we recommend focusing on the power of 25-30 W, which allows you to get 2500 lm. If necessary, you can install several such lamps.

Glow spectrum

Consider the effect of different types of rays on the culture:

Red (720–600 nm long) and orange rays (620–595 nm) are the main sources of energy for successful photosynthesis, and it is on them that the rate of change of all processes within the process depends. An excessive amount of such radiation will slow down the transition of the plant to the flowering phase;
blue and violet rays (490-380 nm) are responsible for the production of proteins in culture and accelerate flowering;
ultraviolet rays (315-380 nm) reduce the rate of "forcing" plants and contribute to the development of individual vitamins, while similar rays with a wavelength of 280-315 nm increase their frost resistance;
yellow (595–565 nm) and green (565–490 nm) radiation have practically no effect on the vital activity of plants and do not carry significant benefits.

Consideration of all these features is necessary for proper selection of lighting. Glow conventional LED elements as close as possible to natural lighting and meets all the needs of seedlings, but if you want you can buy the so-called "multispectrum" lamps. According to manufacturers, these fitolampy designed specifically for the growth and development of seedlings and support them better than conventional light sources.

Does it make sense to overpay when buying such a lamp - it is unequivocally difficult to answer, because even with ordinary LEDs, seedlings grow well. The only thing you should not forget is the presence in the radiation of the blue and red color spectrum, as well as the optimal placement of lighting elements.

Important! Excessive light leads to partial destruction of chlorophyll, and, as a result, yellowing of leaflets. If you do not pritenit seedlings may cause burns.

Degree of protection

All existing varieties of LED lighting elements are produced for different purposes, so it is not surprising that each of them can have its own protective coating on the shell. It is the degree of protection that makes it possible to determine whether the lamp can be installed outdoors, in a dusty or damp room, or in a pool.

Usually this indicator is marked by the manufacturer on the package with LED and consists of two numbers: the first one indicates the class of protection against dust and mechanical damage, and the second one indicates the level of protection against moisture. More accurate values for LED lamps are given in the table:

Price range and manufacturer

The effectiveness of LED lamps and the long-term nature of their work directly depends on the manufacturer’s good faith, therefore, when choosing a specific lighting element, it is worth paying attention to this indicator. One of the most reliable and time-tested companies are Optogan, Optocouplers, Artleds from Russia, and Agilent Technologies, a world-famous manufacturer that has been producing the described lamps for years.

Optek Technology, Edison, Philips Lumileds, Toshiba, which offer lighting elements of the most diverse configuration to the consumer, are considered to be equally well-known suppliers of LED products.

As for pricing, it all depends on the type of product (lamp, lamp or ribbon) and its power characteristics: you can spend as a couple of dollars, and several dozen.

The lack of lighting has a negative effect on indoor flowers: their shape and growth rate change, plant parts are deformed. In this case, you need to take care of additional lighting.

Lighting for seedlings: the calculation of the number of lamps

Choosing a good LED lamp does not guarantee the desired result, as one lamp can not cope with many plants. If you have several boxes, it is better to pre-calculate the required number of lighting elements, taking into account following factors:

the type of crop grown and its need for light (usually a value of 6000 lux is sufficient);
the angle of installation of the lamp (allowed both horizontal and vertical placement);
distance from the lamp to the top of the sapling;
the area you want to light.

We give an example of the correct calculation on tomatoes. For high-quality lighting of seedlings that are in a pot of 0.6 square meters. m will need 5000 lux, so multiply this value by the available area of plantations (0.6 sq. m.) and we get 3000 lm - the value of the optimal luminous flux for a particular case. The lamp itself can be placed horizontally, at a distance of 15-20 cm from the planting surface.

Important! A certain percentage of the luminous flux can be absorbed by the walls and objects placed in the room, especially if the light source is far from the plants. To compensate for these losses, it is desirable to purchase a lamp 10-30% more powerful.

How to fix the lamp: the distance from the lamp to the seedlings

Modern lamps are already sold with ready mounts, and you just have to fasten them with screws to the support. If possible, preference should be given to those species that will later allow the height of the lamp to be adjusted due to the supplied chains, because with the growth of seedlings it may be necessary to change the position of the lighting element.

On average, at least 25 cm of free space should be kept from the LED phyto lamp to the plants. When doshedivanii plantings fluorescent lamps with a capacity of 300-400 watts per 1 square. m, acceptable lighting will be provided only when the lamp is located at a distance of 20-30 cm. If the seedlings are located far from the window and natural light doesn’t get into it at all, then it is no longer a reflection on light, but full coverage. In this situation, the lamp should hang at a height of 60-70 cm, but the exact zone of "illumination" will depend on the light-loving culture. An approximate circle of "illumination" in the ratio of the diameter and the height of the lamp suspension looks like this:

*Height*	*The diameter of the circle illumination fitolampa 15 W*	*The diameter of the circle illumination fitolampa 36 W*
50 cm	20 cm	40 cm
70 cm	30 cm	50 cm
100 cm	40 cm	70 cm
120 cm	45 cm	80 cm
150 cm	50 cm	90 cm
200 cm	60 cm	100 cm

Read also about the manufacture of simple lighting for seedlings at home.

Rules for lighting up: how not to harm the plants

An overabundance of light is also undesirable for seedlings, as well as its lack, therefore, when lighting up your seedlings it is worth adhering to certain rules:

It is advisable to sow the seeds in March or April, when there is enough daylight (no lamp can completely replace the sun).
With a normal daylength for 12 hours (the light constantly hits the seedlings), the lamps can not be installed, and to increase the lightness, simply install reflective screens (for example, foil, mirror or just a white paper sheet) next to the boxes.
If the lighting is still done, it is necessary to take into account the change of photoperiods: day and night. Plants have to get used to the regime, because playing with light can have a bad effect on their development.
Each type of cultivated plant should have its own additional lighting mode and photoperiod duration: for example, almost any vegetable needs a certain amount of natural daylight, and some flowers prefer penumbra.
Particularly relevant will be lighting on cloudy days or when placing boxes on the north side of an apartment or house.

Adhering to these simple rules and observing the requirements for the selection and placement of a source of artificial light, even a novice gardener will be able to grow strong and viable plants, which, when transplanted to a bed, will quickly adapt to new conditions. Growing seedlings is an easy task, and with the right lamps everything will be even easier.