Key Benefits of Grow Lights
Targeted Wavelengths – Lights are regulated & controlled to grow under right temperature for photosynthesis to occur naturally.
Huge Energy Savings – Compared to High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lamps versus the LED lighting systems, results showed that LEDs decrease energy consumption by 40%.
Flexible Designs – LED illumination can be used as ceiling lights, multilayer vertical systems and inter-lighting designs between plants. This is important as different methods and placements can be employed for optimal lighting of the plants.
Less Heat, More Light – This is of crucial importance for plant growth as too much heat can be very damaging to plants, decreasing growth and often leading to decreased life time.
Increased Lifetime – Compared to alternative illumination technologies. Light emitting diodes, due to their high efficiency and low energy use last for up to 100,000 hours. This means eleven years of continuous lighting or, alternatively, around twenty-two years of half-time operation. A long lifetime also allows for less frequent maintenance service time and costs.
Grow Lights for Cannabis
Cannabis is a plant for which light (or dark) is a necessary component for inducing flowering. Cannabis will flower only when days are short as the plant’s chemical signal begins to accumulate. In nature, we see this happen during the fall. In a controlled production setting, grow lights can be used to manipulate this chemical signalling to better control crop growth rates, yield, and other characteristics.
Grow Lights for Floriculture
The floriculture industry encompasses a wide variety of planting styles from bedding, to potted and cut flowers. Lighting needs vary based on species and production styles; however, light remains an integral growth variable in production. Low light conditions result in poor quality plants that show an increase in blindness, stretching and have smaller flowers with thinner stems. If plants are grown at excessively high light levels, leaf orientation will change to avoid the light and the plants may also develop “sunburn”.
Grow Lights for Vine Crops
Vine Crops are some of the most prolific greenhouse produced crops in the world, with the top three being tomatoes, cucumbers, and sweet peppers. Supplemental lighting is crucial for vine crop growers due to the high light needs of their crops.
Grow Lights for Leafy Greens
Leafy Greens is an encompassing term that applies to a variety of plants, including lettuce, microgreens, herbs, and specialty leafy vegetables. Leafy greens prefer cooler temperatures, making them a fall and winter crop. However, natural solar radiation is not optimal during these seasons resulting in longer production times. In addition to longer production, plants may become elongated and anthocyanins levels reduced. Without adequate light, growth related issues can become compounded.