Comments on: Light bulb used to help grow plants in winter?

By: fd_r

fd_r — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:40:04 +0000

Plants reflect green, so they absorb and need red.
Use light bulbs that only give red (and onfortunately also infrared). You can use a normal l.b. but supply less voltage.
(Place 2 or 3 in series connection)

By: DokterScience

DokterScience — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 02:29:27 +0000

I am guessing this is actually a homework question, but I’ll help put you on the right track.

Common household lightbulbs are called “incandescent” and generate a lot heat along with a lot of visible light. While heat does help plants somewhat, it is mostly wasted. You therefore would not want to use an incandescent light bulb.

When considering what kind of light is most helpful to plant growth you should know that ultraviolet light is more important than visible.

With these facts in mind you can search for lights that are most efficient.

By: Kes

Kes — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 09:31:04 +0000

You need to google on “grow lamps” to obtain useful info. See the link for example. Don’t forget though that in the winter almost any device that comsumes power (watts) indoors will help heat your building (or house basement?) and is not really “wasted.” Ten 100W bulbs are equivalent to a 1KW heater. Good luck.