From Fluorescent to High Pressure Sodium and Metal Halide, Grow Lights Help You Flex Your Flower Power
Kimberly Green asked:
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.
The high pressure sodium lights are designed for those plants that are in the fruiting or blooming processes. The HPS grow lights come enhanced with the blue spectrum (this is used for vegetative growth) or the red spectrum (this is used for the flowering growth). The nice thing about these types of grow lights is that they can be used throughout the entire growing, fruiting and blooming process for most plants. Fluorescent grow lights do not emit as much light as the other types of grow lights that are available on the market, and so they are not intended to be used during the plant cycle, since the lack of a bright light will yield only small growth results. Instead, fluorescent grow lights should have its softer and gentler light used to help seedlings and cuttings begin to generate growth. Fluorescent lighting is best used to help nurture young plants and blooms.
No matter what type of grow light systems you have, it will use some kind of ballast system which enables the bulb or tube to generate enough energy to strike and give off light. Typically, metal halide grow lights and HPS grow lights run from remote ballasts. A remote ballast is a special configuration in which external boxes contain the electronics and wiring needed to pre-heat the lamp, and then keep it running. Why should you use grow lights? Well, look at a plant as if it is a factory that manufactures goods from raw materials and products. Factors need energy to run, and so do plans. The energy source that enables them to grow comes from grow lights (hence the name). Usually, it is natural sunlight that is used to feed plants with the energy they need, but grow lights can be a reliable and suitable substitution.
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.
The high pressure sodium lights are designed for those plants that are in the fruiting or blooming processes. The HPS grow lights come enhanced with the blue spectrum (this is used for vegetative growth) or the red spectrum (this is used for the flowering growth). The nice thing about these types of grow lights is that they can be used throughout the entire growing, fruiting and blooming process for most plants. Fluorescent grow lights do not emit as much light as the other types of grow lights that are available on the market, and so they are not intended to be used during the plant cycle, since the lack of a bright light will yield only small growth results. Instead, fluorescent grow lights should have its softer and gentler light used to help seedlings and cuttings begin to generate growth. Fluorescent lighting is best used to help nurture young plants and blooms.
No matter what type of grow light systems you have, it will use some kind of ballast system which enables the bulb or tube to generate enough energy to strike and give off light. Typically, metal halide grow lights and HPS grow lights run from remote ballasts. A remote ballast is a special configuration in which external boxes contain the electronics and wiring needed to pre-heat the lamp, and then keep it running. Why should you use grow lights? Well, look at a plant as if it is a factory that manufactures goods from raw materials and products. Factors need energy to run, and so do plans. The energy source that enables them to grow comes from grow lights (hence the name). Usually, it is natural sunlight that is used to feed plants with the energy they need, but grow lights can be a reliable and suitable substitution.
Benefits of Light Therapy
Thomas Leroy asked:
Light therapy is becoming the most popular skin care treatment, and it seems everyone wants to try it. Why this sudden eagerness ? Because of the many skin concerns it can improve, naturally, without pain or side effects. Results amazes scientists and users who can now own their personal light therapy device that employs the same technology spas and dermatologists are equiped with : Light Emitting Diodes(LED).
If other forms of light therapy are actually used, LED light therapy is associated to skin care. There are mainly two colors associated to light therapy for the skin, because there are principally two skin issues people want to improve : acne and aging. Red light therapy is used for skin healing, thus it is used for both skin concerns. For acne purpose it will help to diminish acne scars for example. If used for anti aging, it will regenerate skin cells. Blue light therapy is used for acne only, the blue light penetrates the skin and kills the P. acne bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes). Acne starts to disappear, and light treatments also prevent future breakouts.
Here are several light therapy benefits :
Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles like crow’s feet
increases collagen and elastin, resulting in a firmer skin
enhances circulation, this brings more nutritional elements resulting in a younger and smoother skin
Heals blemishes
Improves skin tone
heals sun-damaged skin
Tights pore size
Reduces redness (inflammation caused by acne)
Improves rosacea
minimizes brown age spots
Balances sebum production
Light therapy is also used, in another form than LEDs such as daylight spectrum, for stress relief, pain relief, affective disorders, mood balancing and more. In the future, light therapy may be used to treat more medical, cosmeceutical, psychological and every day life disorders.
Light therapy is becoming the most popular skin care treatment, and it seems everyone wants to try it. Why this sudden eagerness ? Because of the many skin concerns it can improve, naturally, without pain or side effects. Results amazes scientists and users who can now own their personal light therapy device that employs the same technology spas and dermatologists are equiped with : Light Emitting Diodes(LED).
If other forms of light therapy are actually used, LED light therapy is associated to skin care. There are mainly two colors associated to light therapy for the skin, because there are principally two skin issues people want to improve : acne and aging. Red light therapy is used for skin healing, thus it is used for both skin concerns. For acne purpose it will help to diminish acne scars for example. If used for anti aging, it will regenerate skin cells. Blue light therapy is used for acne only, the blue light penetrates the skin and kills the P. acne bacteria (Propionibacterium acnes). Acne starts to disappear, and light treatments also prevent future breakouts.
Here are several light therapy benefits :
Minimizes fine lines and wrinkles like crow’s feet
increases collagen and elastin, resulting in a firmer skin
enhances circulation, this brings more nutritional elements resulting in a younger and smoother skin
Heals blemishes
Improves skin tone
heals sun-damaged skin
Tights pore size
Reduces redness (inflammation caused by acne)
Improves rosacea
minimizes brown age spots
Balances sebum production
Light therapy is also used, in another form than LEDs such as daylight spectrum, for stress relief, pain relief, affective disorders, mood balancing and more. In the future, light therapy may be used to treat more medical, cosmeceutical, psychological and every day life disorders.
Indoor Grow Lights Help Your Plants Flourish
Susan Slobac asked:
All plants, because of their need for photosynthesis, require appropriate light in order to ensure their proper growth and maturation. Indoor gardeners use indoor grow lights to supply the illumination necessary. There are a wide variety of indoor grow lights available, including LED grow lights, HPS grow lights, and even discount grow lights. There are some differences among indoor grow lights, so it pays to do a little research before you invest in them.
HPS Grow Lights
HPS grow lights, referencing high pressure sodium, are a type of HID, or high intensity discharge, light. Although a compact light bulb, they are capable of producing a lot of light, and thus their appeal to indoor gardeners. HPS lights give off light in the red to orange color spectrum, making it the lamp of choice for helping to coax your mature plants to bear fruit or flowers. HPS lamps need to be used in conjunction with a ballast, a piece of equipment that controls the flow of electricity to and through the lamp. The lamps are popular because they last a long time and are efficient to run.
LED Grow Lights
Light-emitting diode, or LED, grow lights are wildly popular among indoor gardening enthusiasts, and for good reason. These indoor grow lights are tiny and thus extremely lightweight, making them easier to use in overhead situations in a greenhouse. They also do not generate heat, thereby needing less in terms of auxiliary equipment to keep the grow room at the appropriate temperature, and do not require ballasts. LED grow lights are very efficient to run, and will save money on electricity when compared with many other types of indoor grow lights. They also provide any color spectrum of light that you might wish to use with your plants.
Why do gardeners need indoor grow lights?
Plants need light for photosynthesis, and thus if you are growing plants indoors, you need to compensate for the lack of sunlight. What you are trying to do is recreate sunlight for your plants, and this is where grow lights come into play. Of course, grow lamps are not as bright as sunlight, so indoor gardeners typically leave the lights turned on the plants for a longer length of time than natural light might occur outdoors. Without appropriate light, plants will quickly die. If you are trying to start new plants from seed, the seedlings will become weak from trying to stretch up and reach what little light there is. Instead, the light should be ample and placed close above the seedlings to ensure sturdy stems and good growth.
Consider the types of plants you want to grow indoors, and where they are in their life cycle, in order to determine which grow lamps will be best suited to your needs.
All plants, because of their need for photosynthesis, require appropriate light in order to ensure their proper growth and maturation. Indoor gardeners use indoor grow lights to supply the illumination necessary. There are a wide variety of indoor grow lights available, including LED grow lights, HPS grow lights, and even discount grow lights. There are some differences among indoor grow lights, so it pays to do a little research before you invest in them.
HPS Grow Lights
HPS grow lights, referencing high pressure sodium, are a type of HID, or high intensity discharge, light. Although a compact light bulb, they are capable of producing a lot of light, and thus their appeal to indoor gardeners. HPS lights give off light in the red to orange color spectrum, making it the lamp of choice for helping to coax your mature plants to bear fruit or flowers. HPS lamps need to be used in conjunction with a ballast, a piece of equipment that controls the flow of electricity to and through the lamp. The lamps are popular because they last a long time and are efficient to run.
LED Grow Lights
Light-emitting diode, or LED, grow lights are wildly popular among indoor gardening enthusiasts, and for good reason. These indoor grow lights are tiny and thus extremely lightweight, making them easier to use in overhead situations in a greenhouse. They also do not generate heat, thereby needing less in terms of auxiliary equipment to keep the grow room at the appropriate temperature, and do not require ballasts. LED grow lights are very efficient to run, and will save money on electricity when compared with many other types of indoor grow lights. They also provide any color spectrum of light that you might wish to use with your plants.
Why do gardeners need indoor grow lights?
Plants need light for photosynthesis, and thus if you are growing plants indoors, you need to compensate for the lack of sunlight. What you are trying to do is recreate sunlight for your plants, and this is where grow lights come into play. Of course, grow lamps are not as bright as sunlight, so indoor gardeners typically leave the lights turned on the plants for a longer length of time than natural light might occur outdoors. Without appropriate light, plants will quickly die. If you are trying to start new plants from seed, the seedlings will become weak from trying to stretch up and reach what little light there is. Instead, the light should be ample and placed close above the seedlings to ensure sturdy stems and good growth.
Consider the types of plants you want to grow indoors, and where they are in their life cycle, in order to determine which grow lamps will be best suited to your needs.
"green" Lighting Gets the Green Light
Jane Anderson asked:
Trying to enhance your home without harming the environment at the same time? Today, lighting retailers have many clever ways to be kind to the Earth without sacrificing your sense of style. Energy Star qualified, energy efficient, Title 24 compliant, and dark sky lighting all contribute to a “greener” world without breaking the bank.
Energy Star was set up by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy to help Americans save money and reduce their impact on the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Products that earn the Energy Star qualification must meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set forth by these two departments. But don’t think that Energy Star equals unattractive.
That full-size chandelier you’ve been eyeing for your foyer may be Energy Star qualified. How about those lanterns for your deck? The cabinet lighting for your kitchen? And what about the ceiling fan for your children’s playroom? Yes, yes and yes. You’ll be surprised when you go shopping for new lighting and see the huge selection of Energy Star qualified products.
Energy efficient lighting is another great option. Energy efficiency simply means the lighting product uses less electricity than a standard product. That makes it a great choice for outdoor lighting – which is necessary for security and safety but could add to your electric bill if you’re not careful. Manufacturers such as Kichler and Hinkley offer outdoor lighting options that are both energy efficient and pleasing to the eye.
Many lighting companies comply with California’s Title 24 building codes for lighting. Title 24 requires all new homes, additions, remodels and most commercial buildings within the state to meet minimum standards of energy efficiency.
What could be more energy-efficient than generating power itself? That’s where outdoor solar lights come in. Choose your design, stick it in the ground, and there you have it – beauty, safety and security in minutes.
While you’re outside, why not look up at the stars? Special dark sky lighting allows lights to shine where needed without annoying light pollution. Dark sky lighting directs light to its intended space, such as porch stairs or a walkway, while preventing light from shining upward unnecessarily and blotting out the night sky. There are many beautiful and elegant dark sky lighting products available to fit any budget.
It can be easy to light up your home beautifully and save money and the environment at the same time. Let
href=”http://www.lightingshowplace.com”>LightingShowplace.com show you how.
View our full selection of
href=”http://www.lightingshowplace.com/decor/static.pl?S=promo/green_main”>energy
efficient lighting.
Trying to enhance your home without harming the environment at the same time? Today, lighting retailers have many clever ways to be kind to the Earth without sacrificing your sense of style. Energy Star qualified, energy efficient, Title 24 compliant, and dark sky lighting all contribute to a “greener” world without breaking the bank.
Energy Star was set up by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Energy to help Americans save money and reduce their impact on the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Products that earn the Energy Star qualification must meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set forth by these two departments. But don’t think that Energy Star equals unattractive.
That full-size chandelier you’ve been eyeing for your foyer may be Energy Star qualified. How about those lanterns for your deck? The cabinet lighting for your kitchen? And what about the ceiling fan for your children’s playroom? Yes, yes and yes. You’ll be surprised when you go shopping for new lighting and see the huge selection of Energy Star qualified products.
Energy efficient lighting is another great option. Energy efficiency simply means the lighting product uses less electricity than a standard product. That makes it a great choice for outdoor lighting – which is necessary for security and safety but could add to your electric bill if you’re not careful. Manufacturers such as Kichler and Hinkley offer outdoor lighting options that are both energy efficient and pleasing to the eye.
Many lighting companies comply with California’s Title 24 building codes for lighting. Title 24 requires all new homes, additions, remodels and most commercial buildings within the state to meet minimum standards of energy efficiency.
What could be more energy-efficient than generating power itself? That’s where outdoor solar lights come in. Choose your design, stick it in the ground, and there you have it – beauty, safety and security in minutes.
While you’re outside, why not look up at the stars? Special dark sky lighting allows lights to shine where needed without annoying light pollution. Dark sky lighting directs light to its intended space, such as porch stairs or a walkway, while preventing light from shining upward unnecessarily and blotting out the night sky. There are many beautiful and elegant dark sky lighting products available to fit any budget.
It can be easy to light up your home beautifully and save money and the environment at the same time. Let
href=”http://www.lightingshowplace.com”>LightingShowplace.com show you how.
View our full selection of
href=”http://www.lightingshowplace.com/decor/static.pl?S=promo/green_main”>energy
efficient lighting.