Special pricing and DEALS here on LED Grow Lights.
Everyone knows that, in order to grow plants indoors, you need grow lights. All grow lights emit light at certain wavelengths throughout the light spectrum. What many people don't know is that more than 75% of normal lighting is useless when it comes to growing plants as it emits light that is outside the spectrum that encourages photosynthesis.
Specialized grow lights such as fluorescent, metal-halide (MH), and high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps are more efficient as the light they emit is more concentrated in the wavelengths suitable for plant growth. But the most efficient of all lights available today are LED grow lights. Because of recent advances in the technology, LED grow lights are gaining market share for indoor hydroponic gardening. Despite the increased cost to start out with, they can be superior to MH and HPS lights because they consume a fraction of the power, no ballast required, emit very little heat, and have a very long lifespan. Consider the following features of LED grow lights that make them a suitable choice for indoor hydroponic gardening.
1. High Efficiency
LEDs are produced to emit certain wavelengths necessary for photosynthesis - blue and red. By controlling what wavelengths are used, you make use of your power more wisely.
2. Low Power Consumption
When compared to the high output of metal halide and high pressure sodium lighting, LED grow lights use only 20% to 30% of the electricity. On top of that, you do not have to purchase (and eventually replace) expensive ballasts.
3. Long Lifespan
The typical LED grow light has a lifespan of 50,000-100,000 hours. Compare that to an HPS lamp at 3,000 - 5,000 hours and you can see where replacement bulb cost can add up.
4. Minimal Heat
You cannot burn yourself on LED lighting. This also means that you will not scorch young or tender plants like MH and HPS lighting can. Reduced heat also means less evaporation and less watering.
5. Stage Specific Use
Blue LED grow lights are used initially to enhance vegetative growth for sturdy plants. Red LED grow lights are then used to boost the flowering and fruiting stages. You can use both Blue and Red LED grow lights at the same time throughout a plant's life. To get the most from your plants, it is also important to incorporate light from the orange spectrum. The only light that I know that does this properly is a UFO grow light called The Illuminator.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I like LED’s for veg. Tomaters look like bushes with short internodes. In flower, they are a total letdown. They stretch like crazy and only yield a fraction of a HID light.
I have not yet done tomatoes with LEDs yet due to space issues so I cannot speak from direct experience though, I wonder . . .
Could distance from the light source be your problem?
Thanks Red!
-Mathew
Nope, the LED’s are only an inch or so above the plants being blasted. They are great for veg, but there is a spectrum in there that isn’t being hit in flower.