Used widely for growing plants indoors, Grow Lights and LED Grow lights are specifically designed for growing plants indoors, they are used for growing ornamental plants indoors as well as for commercial propagation of plants in controlled light situations.
Light Emitting Diodes
These are the ‘new light’ LED for short. They are designed to emit light of specific frequency for maximum photosynthesis. They are cooler to run and reviews suggest that they are also cheaper to run. A unit that will supply sufficient light for good growth over 2 sq meters will cost around $800 – 1000, perhaps not cheap, however they are long lasting and cheaper to run.
Used widely in the hydroponics industry across Australia where plants are grown indoors in soil less mediums to provide year round supplies of plants such as tomatoes basil and a variety of herbs.
Grow lights are also used widely in the cut flower industry to provide flowers out of season.
Remember that an even light is required, something that mimics natural light.
Grow light systems should be installed by a qualified electrician.
The Best Grow Lights
Led Grow Lights V Sodium And Metal Halide V Fluorescent.
LED
The question is ‘are LED grow lights worth the money’, yes the modern ones are now good. Just make sure that you get a full spectrum type.
LED Grow Lights are increasingly popular as they use a lot less energy than fluorescent types. They also produce less heat which has advantages in terms of preventing leaf burn. However do they produce enough of the right type of light?
LED grow lights for salad plants try a 7 watt light, it may be sufficient. For plants such as basil perhaps a 12watt LED and Tomatoes up to 21 watt LED. Refer to individual manufactures instructions for accurate instructions.
High Pressure
High Pressure Sodium Lamps and Metal Halide lamps are still widely used lights for growing plants. They do produce a lot of heat and this can be an issue.How long do you need run grow lights for, plants will need around 10 hours of light a day when grow light time. This type of light is also widely used for aquariums.
Fluorescent.
They produce a good light spectrum and not to much heat.
So in review
The cheapest but also the least efficient grow light are probably the compact fluorescent (CFL). Metal Halide are good for vegetative growth but not so good for flowering High Pressure Sodium are probably still the best all round.
However from all reports the new LED systems will in time be the best, and over the past 2 years the technology has improved dramatically, prices are also beginning to drop, so LED grow lights will be the way of the future.