{"id":3767,"date":"2023-06-19T01:46:43","date_gmt":"2023-06-19T01:46:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ledstreak.com\/?p=3767"},"modified":"2023-06-19T01:47:08","modified_gmt":"2023-06-19T01:47:08","slug":"supplemental-led-grow-lights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ledstreak.com\/supplemental-led-grow-lights\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Supplemental LED Grow Lights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Agriculture and gardening are shifting from the traditional approach that relies on natural light to a more modern solution like supplemental LED grow lights that involve modifying different production aspects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can use supplemental lights as a primary light, although it is employed when natural light is insufficient. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And by producing specific light wavelengths corresponding to chlorophyll absorption peaks, this light improves the overall plant health by supporting photosynthesis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Surprisingly, you can customize supplemental lights to meet the needs of plants and different growth phases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Gardeners prefer these lights to conventional options thanks to their low heat emission, extended durability, and high energy efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This piece helps you understand supplemental LED grow lights by highlighting the benefits, best practices, and alternatives. Let\u2019s get rolling!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Supplemental LED Grow Lights?\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These special leds grow lights<\/a> enhance or supplement natural light to support plant growth.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, you can employ them when natural light is unavailable or insufficient, especially in indoor gardens, grow rooms, or greenhouses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, the lights are designed to provide wavelengths that specifically support photosynthesis and plant growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One benefit of supplemental lights is their high energy efficiency and supply of targetted light spectra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 And by Adjusting the different colors in the spectra, like red, green, and blue, it becomes easy to target specific growth stages (fruiting, flowering, and vegetative growth). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, these lights offer high durability and emit less heat than conventional options like incandescent lights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplemental lights have become the go-to commercial and indoor gardening solution for the above reasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Supplemental LED Grow Lighting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"An<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

(An indoor farm with LED lights)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are reasons people prefer using supplemental LED grow lighting over other alternatives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customizable Light Spectrum<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Modern supplemental LED grow light allows you to customize the spectrum to meet the plant\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 We understand that different wavelengths in the light spectrum serve a specific purpose in plant growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, by adjusting and balancing the ratio of blue, green, and red light, you can cover all the growth phases (vegetative, fruiting, and flowering).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Energy Efficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anything designed with LEDs consumes less energy and produces more light; supplemental LED grow lights<\/a> are no exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 These lights convert at least 90% of their input energy into useful lights to support plant growth. As a result, they consume less electricity meaning you\u2019ll pay less in energy costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long Lifespan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Supplemental LED grows lights have a lifespan of over 50,000 hours which is higher than incandescent or high-pressure sodium lights.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you\u2019ll be lucky if your incandescent light lasts for more than 2,000 hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, you\u2019ll experience little maintenance and replacement when you use supplemental LED grow lights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low Heat Emission<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As mentioned, LED grows lights are highly energy efficient, converting most input electricity into usable light rather than heat.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, you don\u2019t need to implement costly heat management systems to speed up heat dissipation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, you can position these lights closer to your plants without risking damage to the plant or extreme evaporation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compact Design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Surprisingly, a small LED light can produce the lights emitted by a very large incandescent or fluorescent light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Therefore, supplemental LED grows lights are easy to install and fit in various indoor gardening setups.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Handling these lights is easier than metal halides, incandescent, and high-pressure sodium lights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Environmental Friendliness<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\"A<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

(A city farm using LED grow lights)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LED lights are highly energy efficient and have no harmful elements like mercury available in incandescent and fluorescent lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00a0Therefore, using supplemental LED grow light<\/a> means contributing to environmental sustainability, especially concerning carbon footprint reduction.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flexibility and Control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With supplemental LED grow lights, the power to control light intensity and brightness is purely in your hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 Also, you can tailor the lights to meet the needs of specific plant and growth phases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

 And regardless of the available weather or sunlight, your indoor plants will be in good shape. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplemental LED Grow Light Alternatives\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Someone<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

(Someone holding a high-intensity discharge light)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can\u2019t afford supplemental LED grow lights, you can opt for any of the below options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High-Intensity Discharge (HID)<\/strong><\/a>: These lights include metal halides and high-pressure sodium lights that have been around for a long time.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, metal halides support vegetative growth, while high-pressure sodium support fruiting and flowering stages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And although these lights offer a higher intensity than LED grow lights, they consume more electricity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fluorescent Lights<\/strong>: These lights include T5 fluorescent tubes and CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps)<\/a> and are among the most affordable lighting options.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, they emit a wide spectrum that supports plant growth, are energy efficient, and emit less heat than incandescent lights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, these lights aren\u2019t perfect if you have a larger area or want a high intensity for your plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Induction Lights<\/strong>: These lights produce the same spectrum as HID lights but with little heat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, they have high durability, thus attracting minimal replacements and maintenance. However, these lights are uncommon and are more costly than other options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plasma Lights<\/strong><\/a>: This is a new technology common in horticulture farming and mimics the characteristics of natural light.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And although expensive, these lights offer a longer lifespan and high energy efficiency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supplemental LED Grow Lights Best Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Vegetable<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

(Vegetable under LED grow lights)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintain the following best practices while using supplemental LED grow lights for your plants to achieve optimum growth:<\/p>\n\n\n\n