Gardening Under Lights
One of the great discoveries in the annals of gardening is man’s ability to duplicate the radiant energy of the sun indoors for plant growth, which initiated the wide practice of indoor gardening under lights. In addition, the discovery that the blooming time of plants is related to the seasonal length of daylight has further impacted the floral industry, as well as hobby gardeners, because environmental conditions can now be simulated in an indoor setting.
Gardening under lights in the home is possible using two 40-watt cool white fluorescent tubes and one 25-watt incandescent bulb. In fact, you can regenerate plants under just one 60-watt incandescent bulb. |
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SunLite® Tabletop Garden with Jump Start Kit
Artificial Sunlight
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By combining fluorescent tubes and incandescent bulbs in the ratio of three watts of fluorescent to one watt of incandescent, you can produce excellent growing conditions for plants when gardening under lights. Light bulbs are available commercially which combine the fluorescent and incandescent qualities in one light bulb.
Temperature and Light Control
For a given light intensity, lowering the temperature in the home will produce better growth results. Temperature during the day should not exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit and should be lowered to below 70 degrees Fahrenheit at night for most plants. Having another location in the home, such as the basement, where the temperature can be controlled below 60 degrees Fahrenheit will increase the variety of flowers and vegetable plants possible for gardening under lights. These are guidelines for best results, but results can still be satisfactory under less than ideal conditions.
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4-ft SunLite® Bulbs, Set of 3
Night Time Hours
Depending on the plant, the length of daily dark or night time can greatly influence the growth rate and health of the plant. Foliage plants and certain bulbs are generally not affected by this condition. Flowering plants and other bulbs are affected and need to be researched for specific recommendations for each plant. When gardening under lights, darkness is as important to house plants as is light.
Air Circulation
Good air circulation using an electric fan is highly desirable when gardening under lights in order to minimize conditions which can lead to disease.
Humidity
When the air is dry, such as during the winter months, the use of a room humidifier will enhance plant growth. Plants are comfortable at humidity levels suitable for humans. Where only a few plants are involved, pans of water set under or along side of the plants are sufficient. DO NOT spray plants directly, as wet conditions are favorable for promoting disease.
Carbon Dioxide
Although not absolutely necessary for good results, the introduction of carbon dioxide during the daytime into the gardening under lights environment will enhance growth, decrease blooming times and increase yields of vegetable plants. This method is particularly suited for growing areas which can be isolated from the rest of the house. There are a number of ways to introduce carbon dioxide into the gardening under lights environment. Safe and economical units which burn either natural or propane gas is one method. Another method is to use carbon dioxide cylinders which can release gas slowly through a control valve. Carbon dioxide should not exceed a 5% concentration in the atmosphere, since plant damage can occur above this threshold. The introduction of carbon dioxide should be thoroughly researched before using this method and should be carefully monitored.
