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Indoor Growing with LED Grow Light Technology
LED grow light technology has certainly opened up a whole new territory for indoor gardeners. There isn’t anything limiting the creativity of those who pursue this educational and self-sustaining hobby. Even businesses have utilized the power of LEDs to keep indoor plants thriving, as they offer the perfect solution for a low-maintenance and heat-free system. Setting up your own indoor garden, or altering it from the typical HID system, is as simple as it is smart.
Arrangement
Grow boxes can be purchased either pre-made, or your can build one yourself. We’ve seen all kinds of LED grow light arrangements: open-air containments for viewing pleasure, small cabinet-like gardens, and huge installments that resemble terrariums. Since LEDs are very targeted and precise, there is minimal need for reflectors although some gardeners still prefer to have them. The flexibility of LED application allows the indoor gardener to place the lamps above in the traditional manner, but also on the sides of the enclosure to suit long or dense plants.
Temperature
One of the biggest benefits associated with LED lighting is the minimal heat output of the lamps. Money can be saved on cooling systems and fans, but in the cooler months the lack of excess heat could actually be a problem. It’s important to keep an eye on the interior temperature of the grow-box, as most plants thrive at 70-80 Fahrenheit, so a traditional light may be added to restore the temperature balance. Otherwise, the low temperatures mean less wasted energy, lower costs, and less risk of fire - the homeowner’s worst nightmare.
Moisture
Traditional grow lamps can get pretty hot and may contribute to a rapid rate of water evaporation. Gardeners new to LED grow light techniques will find that they’ll spend much less time watering the plants, since they’ll retain moisture much better without the excessive drying due to intense heat. Many gardeners prefer to set their plants on an automatic watering regimen, or else choose an entirely hydroponic system. Certain grow boxes can be difficult to access for hand watering, but an open design can remedy that problem for those who like to have more hands-on control.
Growth Cycles
NASA, followed closely by gardeners worldwide, have all taken a fascination to LED grow lamps for a reason. The customizable spectrum of colors allows the gardener to have absolute control over every stage of the growth cycle. Blue wavelengths are great for germination, red helps growth and fruit production, and white lights provide every stray wavelength in between. The seasons can be simulated by rotating these lights, while many commercial brands offer balanced selections that will suit the entire growth cycle!
Introducing this new light source isn’t much different from setting up a traditional garden. There are just too many ways to implement a new LED grow light into any existing indoor garden setup for the adventurous gardener to pass over this investment. Whether you want to speed up germination, induce flowering, or even support an entire garden, it can be accomplished with just a few LEDs.
