Lighting

Illuminating thoughts on natural

and artificial lighting
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• Plants use light energy to create
Carbs, like Glucose, that keep the
plant alive
• Light(energy) + CO2 + H2O = Carbs + O2
• Efficiency generally tied to Energy
• Intensity (irradiance)
• There’s a limit
• Wavelength
• Temperature (can effect eff.)

The Purpose of Light

 Sunlight seems to work well but:
• Can be difficult at home
• Try to find South-facing
windows, East and West-facing
are 2nd best
• Even a little sunlight is much
The Sun better than none
• We can supplement with
artificial lighting

What’s the Best Lighting for Hydroponics?


CFL – Compact Fluorescent Lights
• Less Intense
• Low Energy Consumption
• Low Heat Generation
• Inexpensive
HID – High Intensity Discharge
• Very Intense
• High Energy Consumption
• High Heat Generation
• Expensive
T-5 – High Output Fluorescent (T-8, T-12)
• Moderate Intensity
• Low Energy Consumption, Low Heat Generation
• Moderate Expense, Longer life than CFL
LED – Light Emitting Diodes
• Low Intensity
• Low Energy Consumption
• Low Heat
• Expensive
Induction Lighting
• New in Hydroponics World
• High Intensity
• Low Energy Consumption
• Low Heat Generation
• Very Expensive
• Unproven
Artificial Lighting
Types of Grow Lights
PHOTOPERIOD – The Amount of light
needed by plants during various
phases of growth

We can manipulate lighting schedules

to maximize production

Flowering plants use a pigment called

Phytochrome to “sense” seasonal
changes and trigger flowering

Plants can be divided into:

• Long Day
• Short Day Timing
• Neutral Day
“Blue” Light
• Shorter wavelength (400 – 500nm)
• “Cool” 5000K +
• Promotes vegetative growth

“Red” Light
• Longer wavelength (600nm + )
• “Hot” 2700K – 3000K
• Promotes vegetative growth

Green light is generally unused

Guidance
Fini