Hydroponic lights
March 3rd, 2010
Why do plants need light?
Plants absorb certain essential elements through their roots and leaves which they convert into carbohydrates. This is their ‘food’ source which they need in order to survive and grow.
To convert the nutrients into carbohydrates requires energy and plants use light energy to do this.
Plants contain a substance called chlorophyll which absorbs light and provides the energy. Chlorophyll is green in colour and this is what makes most plants green.
The process of turning light into energy is called photosynthesis.
In the natural world light comes from the sun but when growing plants in artificial conditions and if maximum yields from crops are required as in hydroponic systems then hydroponic lights are required.
Hydroponic lights are different from ordinary lights because they provide light at different ends of the spectrum depending on the stage of a plants growth.
In the earlier stages of growth – sometimes called the vegative stage plants require light from the blue end of the spectrum but in later stages – the bloom stage they require light from the red end of the spectrum. Hydroponic lights are available to suit these different requirements
Posted in Hydroponics