Whether you grow indoors or in a greenhouse, proper plant development is profoundly dependent on the quantity and quality of light your crop receives. The photoperiod, light intensity, and light quality are key lighting properties in regulating plant growth and development. Yet whatever setting you grow in, using the proper grow light for seed starting presents an opportunity to begin your crop on the path to higher yields and a quality product.
Why use seed starting grow lights
Using grow lights for seedlings not only allows growers to get an earlier start to the season but also creates more developmental uniformity and hardiness for any crop. This addition can lead to better predictability within your grow cycle, assisting in regulating your farm’s seed-to-harvest schedule.
Another pro to adding LED grow lights for seed starting to your farm is once seedlings are ready for transplant, the fixtures can remain functional, becoming a staple of your grow operation.
If you’re looking for a simple and effective LED grow light for seedlings, as well as one you can use in any stage of your crops’ lifecycle, the Arize Life2 is a popular solution. This fixture emits 126° light distribution, providing a uniform cast to your plants. It is also an affordable and easy-to-install seedling light.
With nine spectral options, the Arize Life2 can provide an exact hue to whatever crop you grow. Another feature of the Arize Life2 is flexible mounting options for the 4’ or 8’ lamps, which can be used in vertical systems.
What else should I consider as my seeds develop?
Along with quality light, when managing young seedlings, you also want to ensure you give them:
- 14-16 hours of light per day.
- Proper space between the plant canopy and fixture.
- Adequate airflow.
- Proper timing between irrigation cycles to allow for drainage.
- Appropriate amounts of nutrients.
- An ideal temperature is between 65-75° F. Some crops like their environment warmer, closer to 80-82°F.
- A higher humidity within your seedling’s growing environment, nothing less than 65-75%.
The bottom line is that optimal lighting for your seedlings and proper environmental management can increase crop productivity in any growing setting. Using LED grow lights for the beginning phase of your crops’ development has proven to be effective in producing stronger plants, resulting in higher yields.
For more information:
Hort Americas
www.hortamericas.com