Greenhouse Accessories
Greenhouse Lighting, 5 Factors to Consider
Greenhouses are built for one specific reason, to grow plants. The design is to suit the needs of the plant lover. It is the world onto itself where the gardening enthusiast can find the peace and quiet and joy of gardening all year.
Even though the design of a greenhouse is to create the best possible environment for any kind of plant to grow, there are still many instances where artificial equipment is required and a good lighting system may be one of them.
The Lighting
For plant life to produce its own food one of the most important ingredients it requires is light. They also require chlorophyll, carbon dioxide, water and nutrients but that is for another article. The process is called Photosynthesis.
If plants were living in an outside, natural environment, they would easily receive all the ingredients they require. Once placed indoors, in places like greenhouses, it becomes the responsibility of the keeper to make sure their needs are met. Greenhouses may or may not allow enough light to flow through to satisfy the plant life so to make sure, it is necessary to supply an efficient amount of artificial lighting.
Technology has advance a lot in the last several years now allowing the lighting systems to be built to suit he needs of the individual plant being grown in the greenhouse. Choosing the proper lighting system for your plants may not be as easy as you may think.
Here is a list of things you may want to consider:
1. Type of greenhouse
Basically two types of greenhouses are available; the personal greenhouse or the commercial type, what type is yours? The type of greenhouse you have will definitely decide the type of lighting you will be interested in. For example, lighting that can handle adverse conditions and endure humid environments would best be suited for the Commercial Greenhouse.
2. Length of use
There is a term used in plant cultivating called “photoperiods”. This refers to the length of daylight in a daily cycle. There are basically 3 types of photoperiods that plants may grow under; short day and long day flowering responses and non-photoperiod responsive plants. So basically, in most cases but not all, you will not be using your light system 24 hours a day; therefore it is necessary to consider buying a system that will give you the benefits even if longer hours of use are required.
3. Purpose
As a beginner to Greenhouse Growing, you may believe that any lighting system will do for growing your plants. Unfortunately, this can’t be further from the truth. Different plants thrive better depending on different “spectrum colors”. For example, the orchid thrives far better under red, blue and the “far-red wavelengths”. Do some researches on what colors work best for what plants.
4. Electrical efficiency
Living Green is the thought on everyone’s minds these days as it should be, so conserving energy is very important. On the other side of this equation you need to find the lighting that will optimize the growing of your Greenhouse Products.
5. Heat
If artificial lighting is not required, do not use it and be careful of the type of light you do use. If a light gives off heat while releasing light should not be used. If a plant receives too much heat it may cause it to die.
Because lighting is so important in the development and life of your plants, it is imperative you research and really consider the type of lighting system you purchase.
Conclusion
We have discussed here many factors you should take into consideration when purchasing lighting for your greenhouse. I have compiled a list and quick review of many different products that are available to you. Click here for the reviews. My list is composed of products you can purchase at Amazon.com but most products can be bought at any outlet that sells greenhouse accessories.
Greenhouse lighting is extremely important for the growth of your plants, but so is Greenhouse Watering (or Misting). Check out Greenhouse Watering
And for everything Greenhouse check out Greenhouse Design
Happy Gardening
Tyler York
About the Author
Tyler York is a gardening enthusiast living in the Great White North
Greenhouses Online
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