Light is the source of strength and energy for plants. Currently, phytolamps are used by all flower growers, without exception. All gardeners and gardeners who are engaged in seedlings know that it is now quite difficult to prepare seedlings for planting in open ground. Currently, cultivated plant species are exposed to numerous diseases, and the main problem is insufficient lighting.
What are phytolamps?
At a time when plants have already been planted in special trays, and the daylight hours have not yet reached 12 hours, they definitely need a backlight that will not let the seedlings die. Very often, gardeners and gardeners complain that plants have too long stems and that they break very much. All these problems found a simple, and most importantly, very convenient solution.
Why are ordinary incandescent lamps not suitable for seedling illumination?
Ordinary incandescent lamps are not suitable for lightingseedlings - this is due to the fact that it is very hot under them and still dark, there will be no sense from them. Their light output is very low, which adversely affects plants.
Correct lighting for plants
So that the seedlings do not need anything, you can create the right lighting with the help of a phytolamp for plants. They create radiation that is as close as possible to sunlight. In fact, thanks to this, it is possible to alleviate the situation of those who want to grow good seedlings at home. Trays can be placed anywhere, even in the darkest place, because with the help of phytolamps, gardeners can easily grow various plants that will not be scary to plant in open ground in the future.
What else do we need phytolamps for?
Homemade phytolamps for plants are also needed in the winter garden - this is necessary in order to create daylight for the time it takes for a particular seedling. Also, with the help of such a miracle lamp, you can easily highlight plants in all florist shops.
It should be remembered that the phytolamp simply cannot be replaced by an ordinary light bulb. It is also necessary to remember that each plant requires separate attention, and hence different lighting. Some of the varieties require more than fourteen hours of daylight, while others need eight. That is why it is necessary to carefully read the special literature, which describes how to care for various horticultural crops, and only thenbuy or make do-it-yourself fitolamps for indoor plants.
Light data of various plants
For comparison, you can cite data that are compiled based on how much plants receive less sunlight:
| Name | Required illumination |
| Pepper | 3000-4000 lux |
| Roses and citruses | 6000-8000 lux |
| Bananas | 4000-6000 lux |
| Pineapples | No more than 3000 lux |
| Grenades | 4000-6000 lux |
Do not forget that plants after germination from seeds need round-the-clock lighting, it must be gradually reduced to 16, and then to 14 hours. Some horticultural crops require a rest for a couple of months, the illumination should be no more than ten hours a day, while others should slightly increase the daylight hours for bud formation.
Another very important rule that will quickly facilitate the work of growing plants - the lighting should be as natural as possible, which means it should fall from above. The most important feature of such lamps is, of course, lighting. Basically, it comes in pink or blue shades - this is unusual for the human eye, and can also irritate the mucous membrane. Such light very often causes a headache. Because ofFor this, experts advise using special glasses that are designed just to protect the eyes. Phytolamps with pink light are necessary for older plants in order to accelerate and improve the quality of flowering and the formation of the fruits themselves. Phytolamps for plants with blue light are designed for the development of green mass and root system.
Currently, do-it-yourself phytolamps for plants can be made in various forms. There are round and elongated lamps. Also, special lamps are made for each of the forms, which you can either make yourself or buy.
Some of the principles of plant lighting in wintertime
The difference in illumination in winter and summer is very significant, which is why plants do not have enough light, and they begin to die. In summer, plants have to be shaded a little with a tulle curtain, but starting in autumn, they need to be rearranged closer to the light so that they are saturated with vitamins for the whole winter.
How can you know that the plants do not have enough light? Many people confuse the lack of light with the drying up of an earthen coma or with excess watering. If you look closely, you can understand everything. If the plant really lacks light, then:
- Sprouts stretching out.
- New leaves are smaller than old ones.
- Color pale.
Variegated forms of plants become slightly green or monochromatic. In poor light, the leaves begin to dry out very quickly andfall off, and the apical buds stop developing. You can understand that there is not enough lighting by the following signs: the plant stops growing, no new shoots form, old leaves dry up and die.
Currently, a wide variety of phytolamps are on sale, which can be bought at a specialized store. Plants should be placed at a distance of 20-40 cm for ornamental foliage, 10-20 cm for ornamental flowering. If the plant is located with one side to the lamp, it must be periodically unfolded - this is done so that the crown remains uniform.
In fact, the duration of artificial lighting, of course, depends on natural light. It is best to turn on the lamps for several hours in the morning and in the evening. On cloudy days, the lighting duration should be at least 12 hours.
How to choose the right lighting time?
All chemical reactions that cause flowering occur mainly only at night. For such a process, it is necessary to prepare the plant, the minimum time of the dark period should not be more than 9 hours.
Duration of illumination of plants before flowering should be at least 16 hours. If you use phytolamps, then flowering can be significantly enhanced. Flower growers say that before the plant blooms, there is some acceleration in leaf growth.
DIY LED phytolamps
LED phytolamp for plants with their ownIt's actually quite easy to do by hand. In order to make such a lamp, you will need the following materials:
- PP pipe 20.
- Duralumin cornice about 35 cm long.
- Fittings.
- Special pipe holders.
- Small pieces of blue and red LED strips.
- Power supply.
Fitolamps for indoor plants LED can be made as follows:
- It is necessary to carefully weld the frame along the width of the window sill, fix the pipes with fittings.
- Next, you should attach the duralumin frame and then mount the ceiling.
- Then you need to attach the LED strips and the power supply to them. Do-it-yourself LED phytolamp for plants is ready!
What is the role of light for plants?
No one will dispute the fact that in the autumn-winter period, plants especially lack light. It is impossible to create a backlight from ordinary incandescent lamps in any case - this can greatly harm seedlings. But what is the role of light in the home?
- Sunlight is needed for plants to grow and develop properly.
- All plants have phototropism - they are able to move towards sunlight.
- With the right lighting, plants will grow evenly, stronger and he althier.
Fitolamps for plants with their own hands
The design for seedling illumination is a transformer made of a wooden bar and a fluorescent lamp.
To make do-it-yourself phytolamps for plants you will need:
- 2 bars 1 meter long each 24 cm.
- Screws long 6 cm - 2 pieces.
- Short screws 3.5 cm - 4 pieces.
- Fluorescent lamp with lamp.
- Meter wire with plug and switch.
The lamp is fixed on a bar 75 cm long, 6 pieces 20 cm long are screwed on the sides with screws, with the help of which the transportability and transportability of the structure is ensured. In the lower mount, where three segments are connected, it is best to use a bolt with a nut, since they do not hold very well on the screws and loosen very quickly with various turns.
The distance between the seedlings and the backlight should be at least 10 cm. The maximum height of such a do-it-yourself phytolamp for plants is 35 cm.
Now it's clear how to make phytolamps for plants with your own hands. Photos can be seen in the article.
