Plant Gardens 101

The use of grow lights to maximize plants growth stages, maximizing size and quality, is a science. To get it right requires following each plant’s delicate needs from proper lighting to nutrients and air quality.

If growing plants indoors is something that interests you, then you’ll most likely need grow lights to help accomplish the job. A grow light provides the special lighting and light spectrum that plants need to grow and thrive, and there are two types of lights that accomplish this: high intensity discharge lights, and fluorescent lights. High intensity discharge grow lights come in two varieties — the metal halide grow light (often referred to as MH), and the high pressure sodium grow light (often referred to as HPS). The metal halide light is designed to nurture plants during their growing cycle. The growing cycle applies to pants that are non-fruiting and/or non-blooming. (more…)

Grow box of light primer..

If you are in the market for a new hydroponics grow box, I would highly suggest you pay very careful attention to the types of light that are in the grow box. There are various types of light that are often used for indoor hydroponic applications. You might find high output fluorescent lights, or you may find high pressure sodium lights, or metal halide lights, high output horticultural led lights. Traditional high pressure sodium and metal halides lights seem to work best if you are able to deal with the heat and the extra cost of running with a high output lighting system.

LED lights and fluorescent lights will use much less electricity and will not nearly be as hot, but will generally not give you as many lumens or energy output. The more light you have, the more the plants will grow, but the you will spending more money on electricity. The fluorescent and LED lights just do not compare to the higher wattage high pressure sodium bulbs and really should not be considered an option unless you are a pure hobbyists. (more…)