How to choose a phytolamp for indoor plants
Miscellaneous / / February 12, 2022
A good substitute for natural light.
What is a phytolamp
This is a special lamp, the light of which is as close as possible to natural sunlight in its qualities. Thanks to this, the process of photosynthesis in the leaves improves, and the plants grow faster.
Is it possible to replace the phytolamp with a conventional lamp
No. Ordinary light bulbs are the so-called artificial light. Its spectral characteristics differ from those of the natural one.
This is easy to see with the naked eye: with artificial lighting, which we turn on in the evening, objects look different than under the rays of the sun in the morning or afternoon - at least their color changes a little.
For plants, this difference is significant.
How to understand that plants need a phytolamp
You can recognize that greenery lacks natural light by its appearance.
Marina Altukhova
Leroy Merlin, project manager for the development of competencies in the Garden category.
The leaves become pale and small, and the growth of the whole plant slows down. If the lower leaves dry and fall off, and flowers do not appear from the buds or small ones appear, this is another indicator that the plant does not have enough light.
How to choose a phytolamp
To come to the store and take the first one that comes across is not the best option. Lamps create radiation in different ranges of the light spectrum - the effect is different. This must be taken into account when choosing.
Expert Marina Altukhova lists the effects that are most pronounced depending on the characteristics of the light.
- Blue. Accelerates seed germination, stimulates the growth of the root system. In addition, it does not allow the plant to stretch, making it "stocky" with a lush green mass of leaves.
- Red. Needed during flowering and ovary formation. Lighting this color can increase the number and size fruitsto improve their quality.
- Blue and green. They help plant leaves accumulate more chlorophyll, the pigment that gives them their characteristic green color. Chlorophyll improves photosynthesis. In addition, their rich greens It hasAntonio Pérez‑Gálvez, Isabel Viera, and Maria Roca. Carotenoids and Chlorophylls as Antioxidants / Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) pronounced antioxidant properties.
- yellow and orange. They also stimulate the process of photosynthesis and improve the production of carotenes by plants.
- Ultraviolet. Accelerates the growth of green mass and strengthens the root system.
Information about which spectral region is emphasized in a particular device is placed on the packaging.
In addition, phytolamps are divided into:
- luminescent;
- LED (LED).
In terms of spectrum, there is no difference between them, but the LED lamp will last up to 10 times longer (about 50,000 hours) than its fluorescent counterpart. The disadvantage of LED models is the higher price.
What to buy
- LED lamp with a red-blue spectrum from Era, 557 rubles →
- LED phytolamp with a yellow spectrum from Eco, 435 rubles →
- LED phytolamp with ultraviolet spectrum, 2,190 rubles →
What to do to make the phytolamp last longer
There are no special recommendations on the use of phytolamps to increase their service life: these are simple devices that have been working for years. However, it is worth remembering about the correct use, not to harm plants.
Here is what Marina Altukhova advises:
- Be sure to correlate the area on which the phytolamp will work with its power. As a rule, the necessary information is indicated in the instructions.
- Do not place the phytolamp too close to the plants. The minimum distance to the leaves is 15 centimeters, the optimal one is 30–40 centimeters.
- Don't overdo the lighting. Phytolamps should work 8–10 hours for adult plants in winter and 12–14 hours in summer. And during the period of active growth - no more than 16 hours a day.
- To reduce the risk of damaging the plant, let it get used to the lamp. Do not turn it on immediately for the full time of operation. It is reasonable to start with 15-minute periods in the morning and evening, gradually increasing the duration of illumination.
Read also🌵🌼🎍
- 5 carnivorous plants you can grow at home
- 9 unpretentious houseplants that will bloom until spring
- Not Just Cacti: 10 Unassuming Houseplants for Those Who Can't Grow
- 17 reasons why houseplants are dying
- 10 indoor plants that are comfortable in the shade
Author and editor of articles on health, psychology, sexology. I have been working in medical journalism for over 15 years. I rely on the principles of dokmed, love and know how to search and analyze relevant research in world scientific journals. I try to write simply and clearly about the most complex diseases. I believe that understanding the mechanism of the development of the disease means taking the first step towards recovery.
7 Electric Pancake Makers That Don't Have To Stand At A Hot Stove For Hours