How to choose a lamp for indoor flowers. How to choose fluorescent lamps for indoor plants

Life indoor plants depends not only on proper care and watering, but also to a large extent on proper lighting. But if there is plenty of light in the summer, then what to do in the autumn winter period when the sky is overcast and daylight hours are incredibly short.

Plants need light to carry out the process of photosynthesis, due to which substances are formed in the plant body that serve it. building material. Naturally, the different types plants, the process of photosynthesis proceeds in different ways, which is why they need different amount Sveta. Generally speaking, all ornamental flowering plants need more light than ornamental foliage plants. Light-demanding plants include all types of plants from hot countries that are accustomed to a large amount of light throughout the year.

In addition, plants should be distinguished not only by how much light they need, but also how bright it should be. Some plants prefer direct sunlight, others prefer soft diffused light, and still others like partial shade. The minimum recommended illumination at which plants normally absorb carbon dioxide and other substances is 1000 lux, while for the full development of most plants, illumination is required at least 300-4000 lux, but for plants demanding light 10000-12000 or more lux.

If you do not have a special device for measuring lighting at home - a luxmeter, you can try to determine whether the plants have enough light for the eye. The following signs may indicate a lack of illumination:

• Plants develop very slowly, stem and leaves are thin and weak
• New buds practically do not form and have a pale color, and after formation they disappear
• The leaves of the plant acquire a uniform color, sometimes they can turn yellow and fall off.

What lamps to use for lighting

Selecting the right lamp is essential to arranging the right lighting for your plants. For example, many people believe that an ordinary incandescent lamp with a tungsten filament can provide enough light to plants. In fact, incandescent lamps are able to convert only 5% of the electrical energy received into visible light, converting the remaining energy into infrared (thermal) radiation, which causes overheating and drying out of plants. In addition to all of the above, the spectrum of an incandescent lamp is mostly red, while plants need both red and blue, which slows down the development of plants.

More suitable lamps would be modern LED and energy-saving lamps that emit a sufficient amount of light, but the spectrum of light emitted by them is also of little use for lighting plants.

The most appropriate in this case would be daylight fluorescent lamps providing cool daylight or special sodium lamps high pressure, which are often used in the late stages of maturation and plant growth. Lamps of these types have an emission spectrum consisting of red and blue flowers. In addition, they are economical and have a long service life.

In order for the plants not to get burned, it is recommended to install lighting devices at a distance of at least 30-50 centimeters from the illuminated plants. It is also important to remember that plants are characterized by phototropism - a change in the direction of plant growth depending on the direction of the incident light. If you place the lighting on the side of your plants, they will turn their leaves towards the light and lose their natural shape, so it is recommended to place the lighting directly on our plants.

For normal development, growth and flowering, plants need light. In this regard, indoor flowers are not very lucky, which in summer are required to perceive one-sided lighting from windows, and in winter, in general, are actually devoid of direct sun rays. Particularly affected are the green inhabitants of the northern windows, which in the cold season are forced to vegetate in constant semi-darkness.

Of course, this does not mean that residents of apartments with a northern orientation should deny themselves the creation of a green garden on their own territory. By correctly creating artificial lighting for indoor plants, you can completely compensate for the lack of sunlight.

General signs of lack of light

Poor lighting very quickly affects the appearance of the plant, depriving it of decorativeness. Shoots begin to stretch, new leaves grow small, and their color may become duller, unsaturated, as the formation of chlorophylls slows down. Variegated varieties lose their spots, their leaves become more uniform or completely green. A common sign of insufficient light is also yellowing, drying and falling off. lower leaves. In flowering plants, buds cease to appear, and old flowers gradually die off.

In general, the picture that emerges is not too optimistic. If you have not yet encountered such manifestations on your plants (and, of course, want to prevent them), but assume that there is still not enough light on your windows, we recommend that you measure the amount of light with a special device - a luxmeter. Having received the readings of the device, you can say with confidence whether your flowers have enough light or not.

How many luxes are required?

The illuminance of an object is measured in lux, and it is this characteristic that is measured by a luxmeter. In nature, the level of illumination can reach 100,000 lux, however, for the successful growth of even sun-loving plants, such an intensity of the rays is not at all necessary. Well, in winter, in a city apartment, the following illumination will be enough for plants:

700 - 1000 lux - for shade-loving plants. These are poinsettia, begonia, ivy, calathea, arrowroot, etc. It should be understood that the lower bar of 700 lux is too little light, which is only enough to sustain life, but not for the flowering of these plants. If you want to achieve flowering, you need to increase the light.

1000 - 2000 lux - for shade-tolerant plants who do not prefer the shadow, but simply put up with its existence. In general, these representatives are more fond of bright, but diffused light. Among shade-tolerant plants, one can distinguish anthurium, dieffenbachia, monstera, dracaena, ficus, spathiphyllum, fuchsia, phalaenopsis, etc.

2500 lux and more - for light-loving plants. These include pelargoniums, roses, desert cacti, hibiscus, etc. By the way, 2,500 lux is not always enough for these plants to bloom, some of them do not form buds until their illumination exceeds 5,000 lux. Others, especially exotic citruses, require at least 8,000 to 9,000 lux to set fruit.

Longer isn't always better

Now that we've dealt with the luxes, we can talk about the duration of the lighting. In fact, many novice flower growers, having learned about the possibility of using artificial lighting, begin to highlight the plants around the clock, not giving them rest. This is fundamentally wrong. In the dark, plants slow down the production of chlorophylls, but other processes necessary for life occur. For example, at night, plants absorb oxygen (in very small quantities, so you don’t need to be afraid to put flowers in the bedroom) and deprive them of the opportunity to “breathe” - this is a path that will soon lead to sad consequences.

In fact, normal artificial lighting of plants should be such that the required amount of lux is maintained for 12-14 hours. In order not to disrupt the biological processes in the plant's body, the backlight turns on at 7-8 in the morning and turns off, respectively, at 19-22.

The duration of artificial lighting also depends on natural lighting. For example, plants stand on the southern windowsill, and in winter, on a sunny day, there is enough lighting. Then turning on the lamps during the day simply does not make sense, it is enough to illuminate the plants for a couple of hours in the morning and 3-4 hours in the evening.

Such a lighting duration scheme is good for adult plants, but for seedlings it is not completely ideal. It is best if the young that have just “hatched” are illuminated around the clock - they do not need rest yet. Only when the seedlings get stronger, they can be transferred to a 16-hour daylight hours, gradually bringing its duration to 12-14 hours.

Lamps for lighting plants

And now let's talk about the main tool that will allow us to illuminate our favorite plants. necessary quantity Sveta. We are talking, of course, about the lamps. So what can they be?

1. Incandescent lamps

The disadvantages of incandescent lamps are the following points: the absence of the blue spectrum necessary for the development of plants, low light output against the background of strong heating.

2. Fluorescent lamps

Ordinary fluorescent lamps in the form of long tubes are much more suitable for lighting plants. They have high light output (50-70 lm/W), low thermal radiation and long service life. “Daylight” lamps have been actively used by amateur flower growers for many decades, despite the fact that their radiation spectrum is not fully suitable for plants. More efficient, with a spectrum close to the ideal "vegetable" are special-purpose fluorescent lamps or phytolamps. There are similar lamps for algae, they create lighting for aquarium plants.

3. Discharge lamps

This type of lamp is one of the most efficient, as it allows you to illuminate large areas greenhouses, winter gardens, greenhouses. They have a very high light output, so they are not suitable for residential premises. As a last resort, you can use such a lamp on a loggia or in a non-residential room, since the bright light of such a lamp will hurt your eyes.

Discharge lamps for plants are divided into: mercury (DRL), sodium (DnaT) and metal halide.

4. LEDs

LED lightening for plants is the most modern. LED lamps do not heat up, consume a small amount of electricity, and can work up to 50,000 hours.

In order to provide the plants with the light of the required spectrum (which mostly consists of the red and blue components), one should “dial” the lamp from red and blue LEDs in a ratio of 8:1 or 8:2.

Growing plants under artificial lighting is a fascinating and very rewarding activity. By installing the right lamps and setting up a long daylight hours, you will be surprised that Saintpaulias, it turns out, can bloom. all year round, and in winter, phalaenopsis will unexpectedly bloom butterfly flowers. It's nice that the beauty of your collection will no longer depend on the vagaries of the weather or on the presence of the "right" windows. In principle, there may be no windows at all, but the apartment will still have a green garden. The main thing is to invest in high-quality lamps for plants, which are often not too cheap.

To create artificial lighting for indoor plants, it is necessary to choose a light source that, according to its characteristics, is as close as possible to the sun. From the school bench it is known that one of the characteristics of light is its color, which is determined by the wavelength.

Remember the simplest physical experiment: daylight passed through a prism gives a rainbow. To absorb light into different parts spectrum plants have a whole set of special pigments. However, not all colors of sunlight are equally important to plants. For the process of photosynthesis, blue (wavelength 400-450 nm) and red (wavelength ~650 nm) colors of the spectrum are primarily needed. different types Light elements also have different spectral composition, and this is very important to consider when choosing lighting.

Before choosing any light fixture, decide how exactly you are going to use it. If artificial lighting is needed only as an additional one, for example, in winter time, then any fluorescent lamp will do. Another thing is if the plants are illuminated only by artificial light. In this case, treat the spectral composition of illumination more carefully. For example, the light of an ordinary incandescent lamp consists mainly of the red part of the spectrum and has almost no blue component. Such lamps are best used not for constant lighting, but only for decorative lighting. However, in the latter case, it is important to remember that all incandescent lamps, without exception, produce great amount heat that can burn the plant. In addition, an increase in temperature causes an increase in the need for light in plants, so you should not abuse decorative lighting.

For long-term illumination, fluorescent lamps are most often used. They have a more even spectral composition, do not heat up much during operation and consume much less energy. Such lamps also have a drawback - their light contains a large amount of of blue color and unfamiliar to the human eye. In specialized stores, special lamps for plants are available for sale. Their spectral composition includes a large amount of red and blue colors and is as close as possible to natural daylight. However, these lamps also have disadvantages: with a relatively low power they are quite expensive. To avoid unnecessary costs, you can use a combination of two types of illuminators. For the main overhead lighting, take an ordinary high-power fluorescent lamp, and a halogen incandescent lamp as a decorative backlight. With a relatively small size, halogen lamps have high power, and this allows you to effectively illuminate plants.

How to arrange artificial lighting for indoor plants?

To keep your plants from getting irregular shape, it is important to place the illuminators correctly. The main illuminator (not decorative lighting) is best placed above the plant at a distance of 20-25 cm from the top leaves. Since the plant will grow over time, it is better to immediately provide for the possibility of moving either the illuminators or the plant itself. There is such a trick: place the illuminator in advance 15-20 cm higher than necessary, and place a stand of the desired size under the plant (for example, an inverted pot). As the plant grows, the stand can be replaced with a smaller one or completely removed.

Different plants have different requirements for light intensity and time. For example, the inhabitants of gloomy forests will more easily endure the lack of lighting than the plants of an open meadow. Plants such as Aeschinantus, Aspidistra, Cyrtomium, Dracaena, Tolmiea, with proper lighting, can not only grow for many years, but also bloom without sunlight. This can be especially true for rooms where there are no windows in principle.

To get the right lighting right from the start, read about your plants and find out what conditions they grow in nature. The most general recommendations are given below.

For plants that do not have a natural light source at all (standing in a hall or corridor), lighting will be needed for 12-14 hours. If artificial lighting is used only as an additional one, for example, in the dark season, then 4-6 hours of illumination per day will be enough. A timer relay can help monitor compliance with the light regime. This device will independently turn on and off the lighting even when you are not at home. There are special dual-mode timers. They can turn on the light for several hours both in the morning and in the evening, thereby providing the plants with a full daylight hours.

How to make a plant bloom "at the wrong time"?

Many plants need a lot of light to bloom. Such plants in our latitudes usually bloom in late spring or summer. Artificial lighting can be used to get them to bloom at other times of the year, or at least extend the flowering time.

Plants that react to light intensity in this way include Aphelandra, Dipiadenia, Hibiscus, Balsam (Impatiens), Beloperone, Passiflora, Saintpaulia, Stephanotis , Streptocarpus (Streptocarpus), etc. For example, when using artificial lighting, some varieties of uzambar violets (Saintpaulia) can bloom almost all year round.

Indoor plants are in almost every home and, of course, they need care.

The most important element for the life of vegetation is light.

Let's talk about lighting indoor flowers and how to provide it today.

light and plants

From school lessons of botany, we remember: light is the main condition for the process of photosynthesis, which, in turn, is the basis of plant nutrition. The leaves contain the coloring pigment chlorophyll.

This element absorbs from the atmosphere carbon dioxide and water and, under the influence of solar ultraviolet, converts them into oxygen and carbohydrates (glucose), which are necessary for the growth and development of the plant.

Without enough light, the process will run in the opposite direction, eventually the flower will weaken and die. Therefore, in order to provide green pets with sufficient nutrition, flower growers make up for the lack of sunlight by artificial supplementary lighting using special lamps.

This is especially true in winter, when daylight hours become much shorter.

How to understand that plants do not have enough light: the main signs

The lack of lighting affects the appearance of the flower, its shape, growth rate changes, almost all of its parts are deformed.

By the leaves

Foliage will signal a problem with the following signs:

• foliage cuttings, trying to catch at least some source of light, will be bent and stretched towards the desired source;
• behind the cuttings, the stem will begin to bend;
• the rows of leaves will thin out, new leaves will begin to form at a greater distance from each other;
• the sheet plate will take a curved shape, its edges may wrap;
• the color of the leaves will lose its brightness, if a pattern was previously present, it will lose its appearance, turn pale;
• the bottom row of foliage will begin to die off.

By flowers

In flowering plants with a lack of lighting:

• during flowering, much fewer inflorescences will form, it is quite possible that flowering itself will not take place;
• in the absence of proper care, the tied buds can fly around;
• a blooming flower will not have its inherent brightness, it will be smaller and unlikely to please with long flowering.

Ready-made solution or "home-made"

When choosing lighting device flower growers are faced with the question: which is better - a ready-made device or a do-it-yourself device. Let's understand the nuances of both.

Pros and cons of finished products

The advantages include big choice products depending on the spectral characteristics, price range, device design:

• the power of the device is selected according to the area of ​​​​plantations;
• modern products from quality manufacturer it is safe to use, easy to connect;
• a variety of designs allows you to choose the best location option (pendant type device, on a tripod);
• most of them are easy to use: you can adjust the height and angle of inclination, the products fit perfectly into the interior;
• many are equipped with reflectors, which facilitates the perception of unusual radiation by the human eye;
• manufacturer specifies in accompanying document fraction of spectral radiation;
• modern devices can be supplemented with a mechanical or digital timer to regulate the operating time.

Minus finished products- high price. As a rule, high-quality devices from well-known manufacturers are expensive. Cheaper analogues may not meet the required characteristics.

The nuances of homemade devices

The advantages of "homemade":

• selection of several inexpensive products that complement each other in the color spectrum;
• the use of the most economical, energy-saving devices;
• you can also connect a timer yourself;
• self-assembly, even when buying expensive components, saves the budget.

minus improvised designs we can consider the manufacturing process itself:

• firstly, it requires the availability of tools, including for fastening (soldering iron, tester, screwdriver and others), as well as the ability to use them.
• Secondly, you need minimal knowledge in electronics, which not everyone has.

How to illuminate indoor flowers: types of lamps

When choosing a lamp for flowers, the main thing to consider is the spectrum of light that best matches the spectrum solar radiation. Priority for normal growth and development are red and blue tones.

Incandescent lamps

Incandescent lamps with a tungsten filament will not the best choice: they have a low light intensity, they heat up a lot, and the amount of red rays in their spectrum is too high.

Work halogen lamp is provided by a mixture of xenon and krypton located inside its flask. The advantage of the device is in the brightness of the illumination, as well as in the durability of the spiral.

With a moderate amount of light emitted, it provides good brightness. This phenomenon is ensured thanks to a special glass with the addition of neodymium during its cooking.

Did you know? The element neodymium was discovered by Austrian chemist Auer von Welsbach in 1885. The element is used not only in glass alloys. It is also a raw material for the manufacture of a magnet, the most powerful in the world today.

Cons of both lamps:

• strong heating and risk of plant burns;
• the absence of blue in the spectrum;
• low radiation output;
• high energy consumption.

Usually flower growers use these lamps in greenhouses for heating, and not for supplementary lighting.

Lamps of this type are popular with flower growers.

Depending on the number of flowerpots, you can choose a device of suitable power:

• lamp of general value up to 70 W, suitable for periodic supplementary illumination, characterized by a low emission spectrum;
• special purpose, from 35 W to 50 W, can be used for both full and partial illumination, has an optimal color spectrum;
• compact, with a low power of 20 W, suitable for periodic supplementary lighting.

The advantages of these devices:

• high radiation output with low thermal output, which reduces the risk of leaf burns;
• economical energy consumption;
• the color spectrum corresponds to the sun as much as possible.

The disadvantage is the high price of devices and the electronic ballast necessary for connection.

gas-discharge

Gas discharge devices are represented by three types:

• mercury. The special coating of the device brings the radiation as close as possible to the radiation spectrum desired for plants. Promotes photosynthesis, stimulates growth and stimulates flowering. Minus the device - low light output;

• sodium. Effective over large areas thanks to built-in reflector. There is more red color in the emission spectrum, which stimulates the development of the root system. Therefore, it is recommended to alternate use with mercury and metal halide instruments to improve spectrum balance;

• metal halide. are considered the best option due to the quality of the balanced emission spectrum, power and resource of use. The predominance of red in the luminescence spectrum is especially useful during the formation of buds in flowering plants. The disadvantage of the device is its high cost.

A common disadvantage of this type of lamp is the need for a special cartridge for connection.

LED

These semiconductor devices are considered to be as safe as possible, since they have no gas filling, no glass shell, no filaments in their design. The work is provided by artificial crystals through which an electric current passes.

Advantages of LEDs:

• emission of light without heat transfer;
• use even for aquarium plants;
• optimal lighting spectrum;
• economy of energy consumption;
• high working potential (up to 100 hours of continuous operation).

The disadvantage is the high cost.

Did you know? The world's first LED produced American company General Electric in 1962. And the smallest device, having 0.2 mm in diameter, was invented by the Japanese.

The best solution according to flower growers

One of the cheapest fixtures is fluorescent lamps equipped with a ballast that can be connected to a conventional cartridge. Depending on the location and number of flowerpots, compact or extended devices are used, and a reflector is used to increase the useful radiation.

These fixtures do not change the temperature of the air and soil, because they do not heat up, which allows them to be used for a long time.

Gas discharge devices are most often used for growing seedlings in dark rooms. Spotlights of this type are used for high plantings, usually sodium lamps with a power of up to one hundred watts.

A tandem of sodium and metal halide ceiling-mounted luminaires with a power of 250 W or more is popular in large areas: greenhouses, winter gardens.

Universal in application, although expensive, consider LED devices. They have the closest to the solar light spectrum, do not evaporate moisture, do not overheat. Lamps are suitable for use both in large areas and for a small collection.

LEDs have a large energy reserve and are absolutely safe for long-term use.

Given the characteristics and financial capabilities, it is not difficult to choose a lamp for flowerpots, the main thing is to carefully familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the device being purchased.

How to Calculate Light Level for Houseplants

Plants are divided into three groups according to their susceptibility to light:

• preferring to grow in open spaces to the sun;
• equally well adapted to both light and shade;
• flowers that prefer secluded shaded corners.

Shade-loving

These flowers are undemanding: for normal development, they have enough diffused lighting, but with a lack of it, they can still lose their visual appeal. Lighting requirements - 500-800 lux. These colors include,. Some types of shade-tolerant flowers with variegated leaf colors may need the same lighting. It is important to consider here that these plants in their natural habitat grow in open sunny places. Requirement - 4000-6000 lux.

Proper setting of backlight for colors

Depending on the selected lamp, its distance from the green should be within 25-50 cm. Devices should be placed above the flowers, and not on the side. Side lighting will cause the shoots to reach for the source, thereby deforming the plant.
It is important that the radiation does not scatter throughout the room, but is directed directly at the flowerpot. It is recommended for such cases to install reflectors, such as mirrors or foil around the perimeter of the illuminated area.

Important! Please note: the distance of the lamp from the object, doubled, reduces the intensity of the radiation by four times.

In general, after installing the lighting device, you can observe the behavior of the illuminated objects and, if necessary, adjust the height.

How to properly illuminate with lamps

Mostly artificial lighting is required in winter. On average, flowers need daylight hours of 12 hours, young plantations and seedlings - up to 16 hours. Therefore, the inclusion of devices is regulated relative to natural daylight hours.

In the morning and evening, turn on the appliances for three to four hours. The main factor is regular backlighting, turning it on from time to time will not bring any benefit.

You can not overdo it with lighting: plants have their own biorhythms, and round-the-clock lighting can harm their natural processes. Many plants are dormant in winter.

Such plants contain in winter without additional light at temperatures from zero to five degrees. The exception is for blooming in winter.

Important! To eliminate the risk of over-lighting, purchase a timer that will turn off the light if necessary.

Each plant is individual in its own way, so when purchasing a “pet”, be sure to ask about the nuances of caring for it, including its lighting requirements. This is an important factor in the health and longevity of your green pet.

To decorate your home and make it more comfortable, flowers will help, which are necessary for successful growth. certain conditions. Artificial lighting of houseplants plays a particularly important role in winter, when daylight hours are reduced and flowers do not receive enough light for normal growth and development.

From this article, you will learn how to properly make artificial lighting for indoor plants and what requirements light sources must meet.

How to make artificial lighting for indoor plants

It is well known that the level of light plays perhaps the most important role in the cultivation of flowers. After all, the processes of photosynthesis that provide them with energy occur exclusively in the light. At the same time, some species need bright light, others feel good in partial shade, and some even prefer to stay in the shade.

Note: If all these varieties are grown in the same room, it becomes clear that it is quite difficult to provide the proper level of illumination for each of them.

Figure 1. Types of artificial lighting

Here, artificial lighting comes to the rescue of a lover of home flowers, which is the lightest and most accessible way providing the right amount of light if it does not come from a natural source (Figure 1). Proper installation of artificial light sources allows you to grow fresh flowers in almost every corner of your home.

Why do plants need to be lit?

To understand the need for artificial lighting, it is necessary to know that under the influence of sunlight in the green parts of crops (leaves, stems), photosynthesis processes take place, as a result of which the energy necessary for the growth and development of living organisms is released (Figure 2).

Note: Flowerpots that receive insufficient light begin to wither, their growth slows down, and the leaves lose their color intensity. Therefore, if you pay enough attention to watering and feeding, and your green pets look oppressed, pay attention to the light regime.

In addition, it would be nice to know in what conditions this species grows in nature. For example, representatives of the tropics and subtropics are accustomed to a short daylight hours, while people from the temperate zone are used to a long one. For this reason, the former must be shaded in the summer and highlighted in the winter.

Figure 2. Influence of light on indoor flowers at different times of the year

The highlighting procedure can be carried out both in the morning and in the evening. At the same time, it is desirable that domestic flowers survive the dawn and sunset when natural light. The total duration of artificial lighting should be within 12-14 hours per day, since green crops also need to rest.

How much light do houseplants need

Very often, when organizing artificial lighting, the question arises about the amount additional light. To answer this question will help a special device - luxmeter, which measures the level of illumination. So, for shade-loving varieties (poinsettias, begonias, ivy, calatheas, arrowroot), illumination at the level of 700 - 1000 lux will be enough. At the same time, the lower limit of this indicator guarantees only the maintenance of the vital activity of the flower, therefore, in order to obtain flowering, the values ​​\u200b\u200bmust increase.

Shade-tolerant species, such as dieffenbachia, monstera, dracaena, ficus, fuchsia, prefer bright diffused light, but can feel quite comfortable in the shade. That's why additional level lighting for them is from 1000 to 2000 lux. But to ensure the normal life of light-loving varieties (pelargoniums, roses, cacti, hibiscus), an illumination of 2.5 thousand lux will be needed, which must be increased to start budding and subsequent flowering up to 5000 lux. High level indoor citrus fruits require illumination, which can form ovaries only at 8 - 9 thousand lux.

You will find more information about artificial lighting in the video.

Specifications of light sources

All sources of light, both natural and artificial, radiate energy, the magnitude of which is determined by the wavelength. In this case, one energy source can emit waves of different lengths. Their total number forms a spectrum, the parameters of which range from 300 to 2,500 nanometers. Therefore, when choosing a source of artificial lighting, you should pay attention to its technical characteristics, since incorrect choice may lead to negative results.

You should know that deciduous and flowering varieties need different spectrums of lighting, so the lighting devices for them should be different. So, in order to stimulate the growth of green mass, blue-violet light is used, and red is needed for the rapid germination of seeds and the growth of shoots. Optimum for all, without exception, species is the spectrum of daylight. Fluorescent lamps have such a spectrum.

Additional lighting for indoor plants

Various lamps (incandescent, fluorescent, gas-discharge) and LEDs are used as additional artificial light sources. The most commonly used gas-discharge and fluorescent lamps.

You should be aware that ordinary household light bulbs with a tungsten filament cannot be used to illuminate home flowers for several reasons. First, they give low intensity Sveta. Secondly, their spectrum revealed an excessive amount of red, orange and infrared rays, which stimulate the rapid growth of the culture, as a result of which the stem is too elongated.

Lamps for lighting indoor flowers

Let's get acquainted with the main characteristics of the lamps that are used for artificial lighting of indoor plants.

The most popular sources of additional lighting for indoor plants are(picture 3):

1. Incandescent lamps they are very hot, but their light output is low, and the spectrum lacks blue waves, which are so necessary for the development of the body. Therefore, it is recommended to use such lamps in combination with fluorescent lamps or with a sufficient amount of natural light.
2. Fluorescent lamps also called fluorescent lamps, although their spectrum is not absolutely ideal. These lamps slightly heat up with high heat transfer, they are in operation for a long time.
3. Phytolamps considered more efficient. Their luminous flux carries waves of blue and red spectra, which, when mixed, give a pink tint. Such lighting activates the processes of photosynthesis and, accordingly, affects the growth rate of flowers. However, such light is often unpleasant for humans.
4. Discharge lamps allow you to illuminate large areas, such as greenhouses, winter gardens, greenhouses. They are not suitable for home use, because they have a very strong light output.

Figure 3. Types of lamps for artificial lighting of flowers: 1 - incandescent, 2 - luminescent, 3 - phytolamps, 4 - gas discharge

Worked well enough at home LED lamp, in which it is possible to connect desired colors spectrum (for example, red and blue) to achieve the desired result. Such lamps do not heat up, they are economical and durable.

Features of using various lamps to highlight colors are shown in the video.

How to choose a lamp

Having become acquainted with technical specifications lighting fixtures, it is also necessary to know well what requirements the plant itself imposes on the intensity of lighting and its spectrum. Armed with the necessary knowledge base, proceed to the selection of lamps.

Peculiarities

Immediately discard the idea of ​​​​acquiring incandescent lamps, since they are absolutely not suitable for organizing artificial lighting of flowers. Stop your attention on more modern, and therefore more efficient and economical types. For example, fluorescent lamps are universal. They can be used both at home and in a greenhouse, as well as in an aquarium. But special phytolamps are suitable only for seedlings and flowers.

Among the great variety of gas-discharge lamps, the most advanced are metal halide lamps. They have high power, optimal emission spectrum and long service life. High-pressure sodium lamps are the most efficient in terms of light output. Ceiling lamp from such lamps you can illuminate a large collection of home flowers or winter Garden. However, they can only be used in non-residential premises. It is also recommended to combine sodium lamps with the action of mercury or metal halide. An alternative can be modern LED lamps, the cost of which is quite high, however, it is justified by low consumption and a large resource.

Do-it-yourself lighting for indoor plants

Make lighting for indoor plants with my own hands not so difficult anymore. You will need:

• Prepare a place for placing the flowers themselves and lighting;
• Install fixtures for lighting fixtures;
• Run wiring to lights.

AT recent times LED elements are gaining more and more popularity for the organization of additional lighting. Such lamps combine two very important spectra - red and blue. In addition, LED lamps consume a small amount of electricity, and their cost pays off in a short time, they are easy to install and simple to operate (Figure 4). The LED strip is attached to any furniture or wall with an adhesive backing.

To make an LED lighting fixture, you will need:

• LED elements of red and blue spectra;
• Hot glue (thermal paste);
• Improvised material for the base of the product;
• Power Supply;
• Cord, plug, switch.

Forming led strip, you should place its elements in the following sequence: 2 red, 1 blue element, etc., fixing them on the selected base with hot glue or bolts. The finished summer is connected to the power supply, cord, switch and plug.

Figure 4. Homemade artificial lighting options for indoor flowers

Take care also of the rack, which will be convenient to place indoor plants and lights. As a material, use a metal corner or wooden beam connecting elements with bolts and self-tapping screws. It is recommended to make no more than three shelves on one rack, each of which is illuminated by a separate device.

Lighting for indoor plants in winter

In winter, almost all indoor plants lack natural lighting due to the short duration of daylight hours. Therefore, many species lose their decorative effect and stop growing.

Figure 5. Options for artificial lighting of indoor plants in winter

To keep attractive appearance plants in winter, be sure to organize additional illumination(Figure 5). At the same time, it is necessary to increase not only the intensity of illumination, but also the duration of daylight hours. Here are a few useful tips how to do it correctly and effectively.

Peculiarities

Ordinary mirrors can help slightly increase the intensity of artificial lighting. To do this, they are installed on the side slopes of windows, thus contributing to the additional reflection of sunlight. Also, to increase the efficiency of additional lighting, reflectors are installed (foil, white glossy fabric, reflectors for lamps). At the same time, they are positioned so that they reflect light towards indoor flowers.

Note: Interesting is the fact that the tulle curtains located between the plants and the space of the room also contribute to the reflection of diffused light. On the other hand, by hanging curtains between the window and flowers, you can reduce the intensity of natural light.

Do not forget to keep the surface of the window and reflective surfaces clean, regularly clean them of dust and dirt, because even the thinnest layer of dust significantly reduces the level of illumination. You should know that indoor plants, like all living organisms, have their own biorhythms, which are not recommended to be violated. Therefore, increasing the length of daylight hours, it is necessary to ensure that the procedures for supplementary illumination are carried out regularly and at the same time.