Could I put a led grow light bulb in an overhead light fixture?
We need to estimate the necessity of replacing traditional lamps with LED grow lights
We need to understand the importance of light to plant growth.
We all know that plants can't grow without sunlight, but we don't really realize the importance and necessity of light. Many people who do not know much about the habits of plants always fail to give plants the light they need reasonably.
When it comes to the need for light, plants can probably be divided into two types:heliophile( Sun loving plant) and sciophilic(Shade-loving plant)
This is determined by the different kinds of plants' need for light, let's explain by example detailedly，and then we will be more clear whether need to use LED grow lights.
Shade-loving plant
Shade-loving plants are plants that like shady environments and are usually not able to receive direct sunlight. This type of plant is best suited for home decoration, because most areas of the room are not sunny. Most of the web red plants are shade-loving plants, such as Monstera deliciosa Liebm, arrowroot, Sansevieria trifasciata and so on.
Shad-loving plants do not mean that the darker the light, the better, they just can not accept the intensity of direct sunlight, but all plants are inseparable from the light, so the best light environment for shade-loving plants is that the sun can not directly shine, but the environment is relatively bright, that is, the so-called bright scattered light.
Sun loving plant
A heliotic plant is, of course, a plant that likes sunlight which is more nature than LED grow lights. If this kind of plant is in a dark environment for a long time, the plant will be damaged and barren growth, and even more seriously will wither and die. This type of plant can only be kept in the outdoor environment or in the indoor south-facing balcony location. Take some common sun-loving plants for example, such as rose, jasmine, gardenia, hydrangea, rubber tree, Euphorbia milii var. splendens, Nelumbo nucifera, etc. It should be noted that although sun loving plants need sunlight, when the summer high temperature season, or need shading, after all, the summer high temperature is hot enough to spread eggs on the cement floor, easy to cause dehydration of plants, leaf burns and other situations.
Shade-tolerant plants
This word is more easy to confuse, and many people think that shad-tolerant plants are shade-loving plants and maybe doubt whether to use LED growth lights, in fact, in general, shade-tolerant plants refer to those who grow better under the condition of light, in the condition of no light, can also grow normally for a long time, but absolutely can not always grow healthily in a shade-born environment.
Most of these plants are sun-loving, such as the rubber tree and the Euphorbia milii. The tiger Bayberry is a typical shade tolerant and sun loving plant. Most of the sun-loving flowering plants cannot bloom normally in the dark environment. The Euphorbia milii is a plant that can bloom all the year round. Because it has been in the room without light for a long time, the flowers gradually became rare, until they stopped flowering. Became a "mace", We should not be so lazy, occasionally take it to the sun.Okay, so that's the concept, all plants need light to grow, just in different levels. Understanding these can raise good flowers and plants, the environment of plant growth is very important, you can not change it at your own will, only let it in that environment healthy growth.
The main difference between LED plant lamp and normal lamp is the outside view, the scope of use, the cost, the intelligent control and so on.Plant lamps, as the name implies, are used in plants. Plant lamps mimic the theory that plants require sunlight to do photosynthesis, supplement the plants with light or even replace the sun completely. The normal lamp lighting application has been mainly used at the construction landscape in the past , such as garden lamps, searchlights, staircases lights, balcony lights, etc.
We need to comprehend the advantages of LED plant lamps compared with traditional lamps
LED grow lights have a variety of spectra to meet plant needs
LED grow lights can replace spiral hot incandescent lamps or energy-saving bulbs, because the light source of this lamp is mainly composed of red and blue light sources, using the most sensitive light bands of plants, which help shorten the growth cycle of plants, and have a positive effect on the growth and development of plants. The spectrum of ordinary lights is usually broad spectrum, LED grow lights are suitable for plant growth rooms, plant factories, greenhouses and other environment need artificial light sources to promote plant growth , ordinary lights are more used for home, office and other general lighting scenes.
Cost saving:
LED grow lights have high electric light conversion efficiency, which is more efficient than incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps and HPS lamps.Ordinary lamps may has less efficient in electro-optical conversion than led plant lamps, leading to higher energy consumption. The initial cost of led plant lamps is relatively high, but because of its high efficiency and longevity, the theoretical life span is more than 100,000 hours, which may have a lower overall cost.
The initial cost of ordinary lights may be low, but long-term operating costs may be higher, especially if they are used for plant growth lighting.
The intelligent control of the system:
LED grow lights can achieve accurate light intensity and optical spectrum adjustment, so that can accommodate the needs of different species and growth stages of plants.
The light intensity and light spectrum of ordinary lights are often unadjustable. Therefore, led plant lamps can be used in combination with intelligent control systems,in order to achieve the automatic and precise plant growth management. Ordinary lights usually do not have the ability to control intelligent control.
After a detailed understanding of the needs of plants for light and the characteristics and advantages of LED lights, and then after further detailed analysis, if you still feel the need to install plant lights, then you need to consider whether the installation can be compatible.
The compatibility of the lamp installation
First of all, it is necessary to confirm whether the fixed device of the ordinary ceiling light can bear the growth bulb.Grow bulbs can be heavier than regular bulbs, make sure that the fixtures of regular lamps can withstand the weight of LED plant lamps, especially if the lamps are larger or heavier. At the same time, ensure that the interface of the ordinary lamp and the LED grow lights match, and can be installed and fixed normally.
Heat dissipation design
LED bulbs will generate heat at work, so it is necessary to ensure that the lamps have sufficient heat dissipation design to prevent overheating from affecting the life of LED bulbs. Especially traditional growth lights such as incandescent or HID lamps. If the overhead lighting device does not dissipate heat well, it may lead to overheating problems, affect plant growth and even have safety risks. And ensure that the lamp material can withstand high temperature,be non-flammable
Power compatibility
Check whether the power supply of the ordinary lamp matches the voltage and current requirements of the LED grow lights to avoid lamp damage due to power mismatch.
Installation height and position
The plant light needs to work at the right height above the plant to ensure that the plant can receive sufficient light. LED lights can be installed closer to plants because of their low heat output. The installation height and position of the LED grow light should be adjusted according to the type and growth stage of the plant ,so that can ensure that the photosynthesis of the plant is not affected.
Safety
Ensure that the installation of lamps and LED bulbs comply with local safety codes and building electrical codes to avoid electrical safety hazards.
In summary, if the overhead light fixture meets the above conditions, it can theoretically be placed a plant growth bulb on. However, the best option is to use lamps specifically designed for plant growth, as they will take into account the light needs and safety standards of the plant. If you decide to install a growing bulb on an existing overhead lighting installation, it is important to carry out appropriate safety checks and adjustments to ensure the safety of plants and indoor environment.
Leave a comment
Also in News
What are the best LED grow lights to use in a grow tent?
When choosing Best LED Grow Lights, you should also consider the durability of the lamp, energy efficiency and whether it can meet the light needs of specific plants. For example, the LED plant growth lights provided by Philips Lighting are designed for specific crops to promote uniform growth and improve quality and yield.
Can I use normal led lights to grow plants indoors?
What's the best indoor LED growing light on Amazon USA?
On Amazon, hot growth light types include LED Growing Lights, which have a variety of functions and features such as automatic on/off timing, red and blue LED light combinations, multiple dimmable modes, and flexibility for indoor potted plants or indoor gardens.
