What's photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis is the process by which a plant uses light, water and carbon dioxide to produce glucose. Glucose is a form of energy, essential for growth.
Why should I use artificial lighting?
Indoor gardeners use artificial lighting to increase growth rates and yields. Generally, the more light a plant has access to, the quicker it'll grow and yield.
How's light measured?
Light can be measured according to its colour spectrum and/or its intensity. Colour spectrum is measured in nanometres, intensity in either lumens/lux or foot candles.
PAR Watts/m2 is also increasingly being used by growers because it measures the actual light a plant uses.
What's the light spectrum?
The light spectrum refers to the fact that white light is made up of many colours. The growth stage of a plant will determine the colour it requires. A plant which is yet to flower will perform best under a blue (metal halide) spectrum. While the same plant in flower will respond better to a red (sodium) spectrum.
What's light intensity?
Light intensity refers to the amount of light given out by a source. It can also be described as the quantity of light falling on a defined area. Therefore, when choosing a lighting system, it’s essential to consider how much light it’ll give out.
How much light intensity should I give my plants?
Optimal lighting intensity falls within 200 – 250 PAR Watts/m2. But you will need to consider the growth stage and plant species.
What's PAR (Photosynthetic Active Radiation)?
PAR stands for Photosynthetic Active Radiation. This term refers to the part of the colour spectrum which contributes to photosynthesis.
What's the length of light I should give my plants?
This will depend on the species and growth stage of your plants. For short day species, to initiate flowering, 12 hours of light is ideal.
During the vegetative period your plants will require a longer light cycle of 18 hours. This should be followed with 6 hours of darkness.
What's photoperiodism
The term photoperiodism refers to the relative amount of hours a plant receives light and darkness within in a 24 hour period. The length of daylight, known as the photoperiod, affects the growth rate of all plants.
Can I harm my plants with too much light?
The chance of harming your plants with too much indoor light is low -but possible. Remember, increasing light also increases heat. However, before you stress your plants with too much light, you’re likely to notice that the temperature in your grow room is excessive. But, it’s still important to never let the temperature in your grow room exceed 30oc.
Is it best to use a High Pressure Sodium (HPS) or Metal Halide lamp?
Metal Halide lamps can contribute to compact vegetative growth. But during flowering you'll get better results if you use Metal Halides and High Pressure Sodium lamps together. A good ratio is three High Pressure Sodium lamps to one Metal Halide.
Are 1000 watt lamps better than 400 watt lamps?
We recommend that you use two 400 watt lamps rather than one 1000 watt lamp. The 400 watt lamp gives off less heat, which means it can be hung closer to your plants. This is important because over distance light diminishes quickly.
How often should I change my bulb(s)?
We recommend that you change your bulb(s) every 12 to 15 months. This represents approximately 10, 000 hours of good light output. After 10, 000 hours the light output of a bulb is reduced.
For more information on light, please go to about hydroponic/learn about hydroponics. To view our lighting range, please go to indoor grow lights