Use of Grow Lights
Use of Grow Lights
Has anyone experimented growing their Begonias under grow lights increasing the amount of daylight hours? If so what were the results and what light/s did you use?
Re: Use of Grow Lights
Grow lights, extend daylight hours and mimic nature, so that plants are 'fooled into growing when daylight summer length daylight hours are longest.
Thus, the season can start earlier at any time of the year by extending day light hours.
However, please remember, that warmth too, in the form of heat mats, that give bottom heat and also heat the environment, to mimic temperatures during the growing season.
When begonia plants are bought in early Spring, many millions will have been grown in Holland in massive commercial houses, where the exact temperatures and warmth are finely controlled to mimic nature's natural daylight hours and warmth.
Thus, they certainly work commercially for begonias and other cultivars.
Regarding the use by the armature grower.
Firstly, they can be expensive. Grow lights from Environment growlights , a meter long and twenty cms width with two Grow lights, are 200W output ( other sizes are available too)..
The heat mat depending on size,, would also be a minimum of 200 W. Thus, 400W total for twelve hours, consumes a lot of electricity. The heat mat, would need to be on constantly into the darker days and colder nights.
Positives.
I have used Grow lights and heat mats, to start begonia seeds in February, with great success.Also, to encourage tubers to throw cuttings early to take early cuttings.
Also, late cuttings, taken in late summer, of new varieties, when stock needs increasing.
Yes, Grow lights can be an asset to start tubers early , also, to sow begonia seed and to prelong the growing season, either end of the season.
However, they can be expensive to run.
You need to weigh-up the pro and cons, before deciding to buy Grow lights.
Thus, the season can start earlier at any time of the year by extending day light hours.
However, please remember, that warmth too, in the form of heat mats, that give bottom heat and also heat the environment, to mimic temperatures during the growing season.
When begonia plants are bought in early Spring, many millions will have been grown in Holland in massive commercial houses, where the exact temperatures and warmth are finely controlled to mimic nature's natural daylight hours and warmth.
Thus, they certainly work commercially for begonias and other cultivars.
Regarding the use by the armature grower.
Firstly, they can be expensive. Grow lights from Environment growlights , a meter long and twenty cms width with two Grow lights, are 200W output ( other sizes are available too)..
The heat mat depending on size,, would also be a minimum of 200 W. Thus, 400W total for twelve hours, consumes a lot of electricity. The heat mat, would need to be on constantly into the darker days and colder nights.
Positives.
I have used Grow lights and heat mats, to start begonia seeds in February, with great success.Also, to encourage tubers to throw cuttings early to take early cuttings.
Also, late cuttings, taken in late summer, of new varieties, when stock needs increasing.
Yes, Grow lights can be an asset to start tubers early , also, to sow begonia seed and to prelong the growing season, either end of the season.
However, they can be expensive to run.
You need to weigh-up the pro and cons, before deciding to buy Grow lights.