the right light for vegetative growth
“Lighting manufacturers
have created many different, vegetativespecific MH lamps designed to emit a
spectrum catered to vegetative growth.”
the plant canopy, the more light energy can be used by
the plants. This more efficient use of light energy creates
plants with tighter node spacing. Short, bushy plants are
the most sought after for indoor horticulture and will
generally produce higher yields than tall, lanky plants.
Due to their high output, even light dispersion and low
heat signature capabilities, T5 fluorescent fixtures have
become one of the most popular lighting choices for
vegetative growth.
Light-Emitting Diodes
Some of the newest technologies growers have adapted
for vegetative growth are light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
LEDs provide many advantages for indoor gardens.
They have an extremely low heat signature, which means
plants can be placed close to the light source, and some
LEDs also have a customized spectral output. In other
words, LED fixtures can be made to produce a particular
spectrum suitable for various types of growth. For the
purpose of vegetative growth, many LED manufacturers
produce fixtures with a higher output of blue spectrum.
LEDs, like T5 fluorescents, can produce even growth in
terms of both node spacing and plant canopy uniformity.
Another large advantage of LED lighting is longevity.
LEDs will not need bulb replacement like HID or fluorescent lighting. They can be used for 10-15 years before
requiring replacement.
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Maximum Yield USA | April 2015