Some lights which are called grow lights have existed to ensure that people cultivate different kinds of plants within the compound without a window or any form of sun exposure. These artificial lighting sources can be applied for propagating, blossoming as well as for growing plants throughout the year. If you select the correct kind of Grow Light Overview and practice the correct care and upkeep methods, you can have a successful indoor garden, despite where you live regarding the sunlight.
However, here, you will find the detailed description of various plants which can be grown under grow lights and the necessities of them. We will also be touching on the types of grow light there are and which is suitable for use in indoor gardening.
Kinds of Plants That Can be Cultivated Under Grow Lights
1. Herbs
Among types of plants it is better to use herbs for creation of indoor gardens as they are rather small, do not need much attention and are usually not very capricious. It can also be produced throughout the year and would be ideal for people who wish to have fresh herb plants within the comfort of their homes. Some popular herbs that can be grown under grow lights include:
- Basil
- Mint
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Chives
2. Leafy Greens
Another type of green that can adorn the interior is more traditional: lettuce, spinach, and even kale may be grown on a windowsill. These crops are mostly annual producing crops and can give you a new yield in the shortest period of one month. Some specific types of leafy greens that can thrive under grow lights are:
- Butter lettuce
- Romaine lettuce
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Kale
3. Microgreens
Microgreens are in fact very young greens that are nutritionally dense and full of great flavors. Succes is due to its multiple usages and high rate of growth in very a short period of time. Many types of microgreens can be successfully grown under grow lights, including:
- Arugula microgreens
- Radish microgreens
- Kale microgreens
- Mustard microgreens
- Amaranth microgreens
4. Vegetables
Most vegetables need light in order to grow but there are vegetables which can be grown under artificial light. These include:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplants
- Zucchini
- Cucumbers
5. Fruits
Small fruits like the strawberries and blueberries can also be grown within the house using the grow lights. They may yield less fruits compared to those grown in outdoors but then again, they will be good additions to your indoor plants.
6. Flowers
Many flowers can be grown under grow lights, including:
- Petunias
- Pansies
- Geraniums
- African violets
- Orchids
7. Succulents and Cacti
That is why succulents and cacti are perfect for indoor gardening, as most of them can grow in low lighting and have a remarkable look. Some popular choices include:
- Aloe vera
- Echeveria
- Kalanchoe
- Haworthia
- Agave
Choosing the Right Grow Light
Thus, there have been more classifying of the use of the light and the expected outcomes from it. Here are the most popular options:
1. Fluorescent Lights
Fluorescent lights are among the most popular growlights which can be bought for indoor gardening. They are energy efficient and do not come with heating issues, and come in different length variations and watts. The two main types of fluorescent lights are:
Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs): These are small fridge bulbs which are energy efficient for germinating herbs, salad ush and other small tender plants.
T5 High Output (HO) Fluorescent Lights: These are longer and more powerful than the others and are best used in large indoor gardens or in plants with larger requirements such as tomatoes and peppers.
2. It should also be noted that in auto and stationary applications High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lights are finding more acceptance.
HID lights are another type of Grow lamps which are widely used in the interiors. They are available in two main types:
Metal Halide (MH) Lights: These are for vegetative growth and perfect for plants that need blue light spectrum such as most greens and herbs.
High-Pressure Sodium (HPS) Lights: These release a red-orange light spectrum which makes it suitable for Stanley Light for flowering and fruiting plants.
3. LED stands for Light-Emitting Diode and these are(Source 3) lights.
LED lights are the newest and most advance type of grow light available in the market today. These are advantageous since they use minimum energy, produce little heat and emit light across a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum that is adjustable according to the stage of plant development. LED lights should be used to grow all the indoor types of plants including herb plants and any type of flowering plants.
4. Plasma Lights
Plasma lights are fairly new in the indoor gardening market.. They also give out a complete light that includes the ultraviolet light making it ideal for all types of plants. It is energy efficient and does not shed lot of heat and this makes it suitable for indoor plant growing.
5. Photovoltaic (PV) Lights
PV lights are utilized for powering grow lights through the utilization of solar energy and thus satisfies the requirements of both sustainable and conservatively inexpensive solutions to indoor gardening. These come in different sizes and wattages and therefore can be used in any kind of indoor gardening environment.
Increasing Growing Conditions By Using Grow Lights
In order to have a healthy indoor garden there are some important factor that should be considered for the growth of the plants. These include:
1. Light Intensity and Duration
Light intensity and duration of exposure to light affect plant sensitivity to light (depending on time you spent under light), and so, those plants need a certain amount of light. The majority of the plant species usually need light for 12-16 hours and need darkness for rest of the time. There are plants that need indirect light such as the succulent plants.
2. Temperature and Humidity
Proper ventilation and maintaining the right temperature and humity is important if the growth of the plant is important in indoor gardens. Favoured growing conditions for most plants is at day temperatures of 65-75°F (18-24°C) and night temperatures of 60-70°F (15-21°C). For most plants, the humidity is kept between 40 and 50%, some plants might require more, some less.
3. Nutrient Supply
This article underlines the need of giving your plants nutrients they require for their normal development. Employ a balanced, water soluble fertilizer and apply it identical to the instructions on the product package indicates. Some of the negative effects of over-fertilizing include nutrient burn to your plants.
4. Soil and Pots
Guide:
What type of soil and pots to use for your indoor garden? The most appropriate potting soil type should provide good drainage for most plants, though, some plants need special soil types. But beware of the pots the plants are kept in so that the soil does not run too wet as the pots used should allow for drainage.
Conclusion: Grow Light Overview
Due to such grow lights, nobody can say that indoor gardening is an impossible task since it is so much fun. From the common herbs and the different types of greens, particularly the leafy ones to fruits, flowers and quite a number of other crops, many of these can be grown under artificial light. Grow lights should be selected depending on the type of plants and requirements to the growing conditions, in this way an active indoor garden can be produced the whole year round. Well, then you should not hesitate and start growing your favorite plants under the warm light of grow lights. Happy gardening!