Indoor Grow Lights – Necessary Additions to Indoor Gardening
There is a saying that what we eat is what we are. That does not only apply to human beings but to plants as well. No indoor plant, for instance, will survive if it has no access to the right nutrients, water, and light. Yes, light energy is an important factor that determines the health of an indoor plant.
Plants are autotrophs and produce their own food from the nutrients that they absorb. Light is the driving force that stimulates plant enzymes to photosynthesize. Without the right kind of light, a plant may not be able to manufacture its own food; if it will be able to do so, chances are there will not be enough food that will produce to enhance proper growth of its essential parts. So if you have an indoor garden, it is of paramount importance that you get the right kind of indoor grow lights.
Two of the most popular grow lights today for indoor gardeners are LED and CFL indoor grow lights. Both have not gained their current popularity by virtue of numerous advertising campaigns. What made these grow lights popular are their very big benefits.
Before CFLs and LEDs were made available to the market, gardeners have no other choice but to go for incandescent grow lights or ordinary fluorescent lamps. Incandescent and fluorescent bulbs have been used in lab experiments in the old days and can produce the right type of light that plants need.
However, incandescent is an energy-eater. It consumes way too much electricity and can be a burden to an indoor gardener’s wallet in the long run. Furthermore, incandescent bulbs have somewhat short lifespan (average of 750 hours). So the indoor gardener in the old days needs to buy a replacement bulb from time to time-which is quite burdensome to the budget. Ordinary fluorescent grow lamp is not a viable alternative because it is not really efficient in using energy. Also, it has a limited lifespan as well.
With CFLs and LEDs, though, the indoor gardener will not face the same problems that incandescent indoor grow lights bring. Both are very energy-efficient and will help indoor gardeners save on their utility bills. What is more, CFLs and LEDs are very durable and can last for long hours. Some CFLs can go on for 10,000 hours or more. LEDs can go longer than that. In fact, LED grow lights can operate for more than 50,000 hours.
Both CFL and LED indoor grow lights may have higher initial costs compared to ordinary lighting. However, the long-term benefits that they bring will certainly help the indoor gardener to save more in the long run. What is more, CLFs and LEDs can really ensure 100 percent health plant growth.
Categorised as: Bulbs, Outdoor