Growing plants, from seeds, is the hobby of millions all over the world. Though many prefer to grow a plant after buying it, there are several individuals who like to see it grow from its base. Buying any particular type of plant, can bring you flowers or fruits or vegetables, and maintaining it, and seeing it grow is indeed wonderful, and one of the unique things you’ll do.
You’ll just witness a life growing gradually. However when you witness the same thing from the base, i.e., when the plant slowly comes out of its seedling and starts to grow, it is even more beautiful. Birth of life, gradually getting older, and bigger, soothes your eye and is also said to be good luck as per sayings.
In this regard, when you try to grow plants from seedlings in your home, you certainly need the help of indoor lights. Houseplants don’t get access to sunlight most of the time, as other concrete buildings work as a guard, and block the light when the sun changes its direction.
However, the use of indoor lights is known by a few people, and at the same time, there are also several individuals who aspire to grow seedlings. Hence, in this article, we’ll discuss in detail indoor grow lights for growing seedlings. Also, you can check out everything about grow lights here, to secure detailed knowledge.
Choosing Light Color, Intensity, and Duration of Exposure
To use the indoor light for growing your seedlings, you need to choose the proper light, have the correct intensity, set its duration of exposure, and create a favorable environment for its growth. Check them in the sections below.
Choosing the Light Color
Choosing the correct light color in grow lights is absolutely necessary for the growth of plants. Colors signify a variety of temperatures and opting for the perfect temperature greatly matters for growing seeds. For example, you find find a cool temperature in the blue end of the spectrum, whereas the red end can be felt warm. The Sun which provides the natural light, has all the spectrum colors, including rainbow colors.
Plants generally use the spectrum of photosynthesis, however inside that spectrum, red and blue light work as the most critical one. Blue light works on regulating plant growth, making it ideal for growing foliage plants and making it short. On the other hand, the red spectrum works on the vegetative growth and the flowering of the plants. Keep in mind, that too much light is also not favorable for plant growth.
Setting the Light Intensity
While growing seedlings inside, the houseplants receive a certain amount of light intensity that is primarily determined by the wattage of the bulb that you use, as the light source and the plant’s distance in between. For example, if you use a brighter bulb and keep it at a greater distance from the plant, the intensity received by the plant will be the same if a dimmer bulb is kept close to it.
Now coming to what type of intensity your seed can bear is to be decided. The need for the light intensity among plants is varied, however, most seeds need a higher intensity to flourish. You should keep your light source 2 to 4 inches away from the leaves of the plants, in case you’re using a fluorescent bulb. However, you should do proper research before taking this action, whether researching about the plant or asking the shopkeeper, about what type of intensity that particular plant you’re buying, needs.
Duration of Light Exposure
How many hours of supplemental light a particular light needs is a great debate when it comes to growing indoor plants. Most gardens, as well as vegetable plants, require a minimum of 16 to 18 hours of light every day. This average duration should be maintained, else your seed might get pale and leggy. Experts generally recommend turning the light on towards the plant for 16 hours on average every day. Also, make sure that your plant gets 7 hours of darkness every day, which is significantly necessary for the plant to grow, as it stimulated the cycle.
However, in some instances, it is seen that people keep their plants under light for fully 24 hours, for getting a better outcome, and eventually, the plant will go faster. You can apply this same thing to your plants, but also take suggestions from where you buy the seeds. But the majority’s suggestion is to keep them under 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness is recommended, and to have patience until the plant fully grows.
Tips for Growing Indoor Seedlings with Grow Lights
Other than, using grow lights, deciding the color, and intensity, and using it for a said amount of time, there are also certain tips that you need to remember to experience effective results.
● In case you’re using a fluorescent bulb, which most people do, remember to rotate all your plants every week. This is because the light coming from the bulb is more intense at the center compared to its sides and ends.
● Remember to replace your fluorescent tubes, when it gets darkened, which signifies that it has got older, and a new one should be taken for producing adequate light output.
● Don’t forget to clean your fluorescent bulbs every month, as dirt can decrease the emission of light coming from the bulb.
● To identify the correct positioning of the light source from the plant, you need to put your hand, where the light hits the foliage. If the warmth is felt, coming from the light, then the source is too close, and you need to move it a bit further. Try to keep the lights hanging over the plants like the Sun provides light to everyone.
This was all about how you can use the grow lights to grow your seedlings. Using these led strip lights is indeed great, which helps in the evolution of the plants, from the basic to the matured stage. Start your journey from today, and experience the beautiful growth of life soon.