Lighting in greenhouses can vary greatly depending on the glazing and grow space. To maximize light intensity, indoor surfaces should be light-colored and reflective, such as white flooring. A comprehensive greenhouse lighting plan considers crop needs, greenhouse layout, and light intensity to ensure uniform, even light distribution for healthy and thriving plants. Low light slows growth and increases production costs, while excessive light intensity can damage some plants and fruit.
There are tools designed to minimize light losses in existing greenhouses, which can be put into a three-step plan: shading and supplementary illumination. Shading control is effective for full-sun tolerant crops, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and strawberries. Climate screens are excellent choices because they reflect and diffuse sunlight to keep the greenhouse’s light level optimal.
Supplemental lighting can improve yield and increase productivity of greenhouse crops, using light-emitting diodes (LEDs). High-pressure sodium lamps are traditionally used to increase light intensity above ambient levels. Proper plant selection, dripless film use, keeping the film clean, and double-layer insulation are essential for optimal greenhouse lighting.
The intensity of light can change with time of day, season, geographic location, distance from the equator, and weather. It gradually increases from low light to high light intensity, which can slow growth and increase production costs. To optimize the use of light for plants in greenhouses, it is essential to consider both factors when choosing lighting.
Optimal greenhouse lighting strategies include proper spacing, reflective surfaces, and light movers. Choose greenhouse coverings that allow for high light transmission, such as glass or polycarbonate. Supplemental greenhouse lighting is used to increase light levels at times when natural light is low, such as outside of daylight hours, over the winter season.
📹 Increase the efficiency of your grow lights by 75% with these simple tips
Grow lights can be expensive, in this video, Luke shows you how to use your grow lights to make them more efficient. We do more …
What increases the intensity of light in a room?
Hanging a mirror on a wall opposite a window can bounce light around a room, making it feel brighter and more open. This can be applied to any room in your house, making dark spaces feel lighter and airier. Painting walls and ceilings white can also help reflect light, making the space feel brighter and more open. For a permanent solution to increase natural light in your home, consider installing solar tubes or skylights.
Solar tubes are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, providing a significant amount of natural light. Skylights are another option, but they can be more expensive and require more work. These tips can help create a more comfortable and brighter space in your home.
How do you increase light intensity in a grow?
Growing plants requires different levels of light depending on their growth stage, and growing closer to the plant can increase light intensity and maximize photosynthesis. However, too close lights can cause wider, sprawling growth or damage. LED grow lights emit less heat than traditional HID and fluorescent T5 lights, so their proximity to the canopy varies. This article outlines the different lighting needs for various plants, including cannabis, based on their growth stage.
It also discusses determining the proper distance of LED lighting from the plant canopy to nourish plant growth and the importance of Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD) (Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density). PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) describes the visible spectrum plants use for photosynthesis, while PPFD measures the amount of light a plant receives over time. PPFD represents the light density a plant receives over time, measured in micromoles per square meter per second.
How to maximize sunlight in a greenhouse?
To optimize greenhouse lighting, consider the following factors:
- Ensure the greenhouse is positioned to receive maximum sunlight, with south-facing orientations being most effective in the Northern Hemisphere. Minimize obstructions like trees or buildings.
- Use light-transmitting materials like glass or polycarbonate for high light transmission. Regularly clean the coverings to prevent dust buildup.
- Install light-diffusing materials or shade cloths to ensure even light distribution.
- In regions with limited sunlight or winter months, supplement natural sunlight with artificial lighting like LED grow lights. These energy-efficient lights mimic the intensity and duration of natural sunlight, promoting healthy plant development.
How do farmers increase light intensity?
Vertical farming allows vertical farmers to increase daylight hours for plants by providing controlled light exposure. This method, known as vertical farming, involves growing crops in vertically stacked layers, rather than horizontally along the ground. Growth Towers, a solution from IGS, uses patented technology in electricity, control, and automation to create a finely tuned growing environment for crops and plants 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The company uses narrow-band wavelength LEDs instead of broad-spectrum lights, which have been proven to deliver desired results. Photon optimization is also used in research and development to enhance and control the conditions for each crop variety.
Is there a way to speed up photosynthesis?
The Update articles highlight numerous opportunities for enhancing photosynthesis, with Rubisco being a clear candidate for improvement. This enzyme, used by all plants to fix carbon dioxide, catalyzes carboxylation and oxygenation reactions with the five-carbon sugar ribulose bisphosphate. The oxygenase reaction releases half a carbon dioxide, consuming ATP and NADPH, which could be used to fix more carbon.
Photosynthesis can be increased by raising the carbon dioxide concentration surrounding Rubisco, either through CO2 -concentrating mechanisms used by C4 plants, cyanobacteria, and algae, or by enriching the atmosphere due to human use of fossil fuels.
Evidence shows that photosynthetic rates can increase in the short term in response to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations. To translate enhanced photosynthesis into greater plant growth and crop yield, sufficient resources are needed to support the research effort by the plant science research community. Recent increases in yield differ widely among crops, reflecting the amount of money invested in each crop.
How can I make my greenhouse stronger?
A greenhouse can be placed in a sheltered spot or attached to a fence to protect it from blowing away. Some gardeners use wind netting and a wooden fence to surround the greenhouse. However, sunlight is crucial for plant growth. For an assembled greenhouse, it is essential to apply fixing bases and stakes, which are included in all walk-in greenhouses except for mini greenhouses. These parts should be checked and sorted according to the instructions provided in the shipping box. If a copy is not available, the Quictent Greenhouse Instructions can be consulted. An overview of stakes and bases for each model is provided.
What do you use to decrease light intensity in a greenhouse?
Shading fabrics and greenhouse shading compounds are two materials used to reduce light intensity in greenhouses, particularly during high light levels and difficult temperature control. Shading fabrics can be applied over crops and removed during low-light conditions, while shading compounds are less expensive and can be applied to benches instead of the entire greenhouse. Shading fabrics can reduce crop solar load, but are more commonly used for temperature control.
They can also serve as thermal blankets, providing additional insulation by trapping air between the crop and greenhouse roof. Both methods are effective in reducing light intensity and improving greenhouse efficiency.
How to amplify natural light?
To increase natural light in your home, follow these steps:
- Add or replace windows.
- Clean and maintain windows.
- Replace curtains with sheer ones.
- Paint walls with light colors.
- Install skylights.
- Add or replace patio doors.
- Decorate with mirrors and incorporate reflective surfaces.
- Unleash the benefits of natural light by reducing your dependency on artificial lighting.
- Control your energy costs by investing in full-frame window replacements.
- Contact experts to learn more about how a simple window replacement can improve your home’s lighting.
How do you regulate light in a greenhouse?
Electric lighting is utilized in greenhouses to regulate photoperiod, control flowering, and increase crop quality and yield. It is also used for sole-source lighting of indoor plants. Although expensive, indoor lighting offers potential benefits. Advancements in horticultural lighting, particularly in light-emitting diode (LED) technology, continue to advance the science, engineering, and application of this method.
LEDs come in various shapes, sizes, colors, intensities, and energy efficacies, making them an ideal choice for supplemental greenhouse lighting. This article provides an overview of how to get started with LEDs in greenhouses.
How to increase photosynthesis in a greenhouse?
Supplemental CO2 has a significant impact on various growing factors, including light, water, and temperature. Light saturation points are the maximum amount of light a plant can use, and additional CO2 increases the light intensity required to achieve this point, increasing the rate of photosynthesis. In winter, low light intensity limits photosynthesis, so an additional lighting system can enhance CO2 efficiency and increase plant growth.
Supplemental CO2 also affects plant physiology through stomatal regulation. Elevated CO2 promotes partial closure of stomatal cells and reduces stomatal conductance, minimizing transpiration and increasing water use efficiency (WUE). This helps plants perform more efficiently in water-stressed conditions.
Temperature plays a significant role in plant growth, with most biological processes increasing with increasing temperature. The optimum temperature for maximum photosynthesis depends on the availability of CO2. In a greenhouse supplemented with CO2, a dramatic increase in plant growth can be observed with increasing temperature. Supplemental CO2 increases the optimum temperature requirement of a crop, increasing production even at higher temperatures, which is not possible at the ambient CO2 level.
How do greenhouses increase light intensity?
In order to enhance the illumination within a greenhouse, it is recommended to minimise the presence of objects situated above the plants, such as frames, pipes and lighting fixtures. In order to reduce radiation levels during the summer months, it is recommended that whitewashed greenhouse paint be used or that shade cloth be suspended above the structure.
📹 Measuring Light in the Greenhouse
Photosynthetic light influences crop growth, yield, and quality and therefore accurate light measurements are essential.
We used Mylar emergency blankets wrapped around entire shelving unit overlapped in front for a makeshift door in the middle. All light kept inside. They’re cheaper than most spray paint and easy to find. Amazon dollar store big box stores… it does make a huge difference! Thanks MiGardener! Love your articles.
Talking about flat white paint reminds me of the Mythbusters episode where they tried light a “tomb” with a series of mirrors to bring in light from outside. At the end of all the Fancy testing, they had one mirror directing light into the room and Jamie stepped into the ray and his white button down shirt lit the whole room brighter and more evenly than all their other tests.
Straight to the point is the best article format. Lots of great info on YouTube but im not staying around for a family update, a side quest, other silliness. Thank you for always keeping to the point. It’s no small part of why I put “MIGardener” in my garden search terms every time. Youve probably covered the subject and there’s no extra stuff to confuse me.
I just setup a stainless steel shelf unit for starting seedlings for my raised beds. I bought a roll of reflective bubble wrap to reflect back as much light as possible. Really effective in bouncing back lost light placed leftover wrap under plants also! Best $10.00 spent! Btw using Spider farmer SF 1000 EVO 2024 Everything is thriving.
I use sheets hanging near to {but not onto} my grow lights. I initially began doing this because my seed starting station is near our back door when someone opens it up a draft comes inside & winters here are cold. I used light colored sheets to keep the draft off my seedlings and with the side benefit of bouncing & utilizing the reflected light😀👍.
Fantastic! Thank you! I saved the sheets of styrofoam that my fridge came wrapped up in. I had a feeling I might need them at some point! I bought a heat mat (to sprout the seeds) and some seed trays that have removable grow lights in the heightened lids which I’ll turn on after the seeds have sprouted. I’ll use the Styrofoam to build a box around the seed trays. You’re just full of great ideas and I love perusal your website.
I scored a 25 foot roll of the silver window film and a silver windshield shade at the thrift store today for $4. I used aluminum foil lined in a box for a couple years in a window before I had grow lights or a greenhouse and that alone took me from leggy tomato seedlings to lush healthy seedlings, you seriously couldn’t tell they were started inside with no lights.
Luke – I did some extensive tests a few years back with a light meter (about $50 somewhere online.) Using same T5HO bulbs (Sun Systems?), at $0.12/kWh the 24/7 cost is about $37 per month. I measured points across the table on a grid, and then summed the readings across the table with and without white foam board walls (Elmer’s project display type, at Walmart for about $3 per panel.) The increase in total light was about 30%, with the gain at the edges and corners. I don’t think 75% is even remotely possible. Did you mention the inverse square rule? If you bring the lights 20% closer to the table, the intensity will increase by 50+%. (1/.8)^2 = 1.56. Both closer lights and the enclosing effect of the reflector will increase the heat on the plants significantly. A fan may be needed. Seedlings are susceptible to drying out; yet a humidity dome reduces the light. Indoor light is extremely expensive. Great for starters, but I don’t think it is economical for anything other than micro’s and medicinal herbs. Note that the herbs growers use reflectors to avoid drawing attention to the amount of light, and reducing power consumption also helps them keep a lower profile on their electric bill. Note that the full-scale micro green farmers do not use reflectors. A greenhouse is probably better, as the light is better, and the cost of heating is far less than the cost of light. (Basement = free heat, expensive light. Greenhouse = free light, expensive heat, but a lot of free heat when the sun is shining.
Thanks SO much. I learn so much from you. I had the wrong Kelvin rating & replaced my lights. I am in the process right now of moving my set-up to another area of my house and setting up my new lights. I’m excited about using reflectors. This is the first year I am really counting on my seedlings, and I’m getting a late start because of the wrong lights, but i am optimistic about this working much better. Thanks again!
Diamond pattern mylar is relatively inexpensive, you can get rolls of it online and make really effective reflectors. I’ve got five mature pepper plants, about a dozen cacti and a few house plants I’m plant sitting for relatives that are out of state in my basement currently. Also have a shelf surrounded with mylar with a few dozen succulents and bonsai too.
Luke this also works in your solar generators also !!! I do this in in the Winter time GLOSSY is the best for the SOLAR panels !!! I have my generators redone in the winter time inside of the house from the window going through to the next door WHITE HOUSE next to me !!! This is how I also grow the broccoli cabbage tomato plants in the house in winter time !!!
Very cool. Great subject. Well done! Wondering about draping some white diffusion in front of the light. To soften it and make it weave its way down through the leaves a bit better. The light will spread doing this and these reflectors would be perfect to catch it and bounce it back in. Theatrical diffusion some call it. Rosco Gel sells it. I’m thinking 1/2, 216 which is one type.
I hope one day you add feijoa (Acca sellowiana) and/or Chilean guava berry (ugni molinae) seeds to your tropical catalogue. They make great potted plants are delicious and cold hardy to -10 atleast. I suspect much colder in a few generations. I’d love to grow these outdoors in summer and as house plants during winter! The valdivian temperate rainforests are very similar to British colombia
OMG!!! Never thought about space blankets, I will be getting some. Any suggestions/guidelines on light height and type for seedlings? I have some T5 tube fixtures and an LED Spyder fixture with red and blue LED’s. I will also be adding reflectors for the plants to sit on and reflect from the bottom up!
They sell the paint that’s used to paint the middle reflector lines on roads at Lowe’s, it’s recommended for painting basements. I wonder if this product could be used for plant reflectors. I have heard of paint that’s used to paint a movie screen on the wall for visual media to be projected on, I also wonder how this would work in the grow room. Neither of these products looks like high gloss white paint. Thanks, Luke. What’s your take on these paint products?
We just bought some LED high bay lights for our basement hydroponics (we’re in the planning stage), and my thought was to line the inside of a very large box with foil. I’m reading a lot of conflicting information, one person saying the foil can cause hot spots, the other saying that foil doesn’t reflect enough light to do that. Does turning the foil to the duller side make a good difference? I’m kind of confused.
Watched this article just as I was about to put aluminum foil up by my interior grow lights. Been thinking it over since the article dropped and have a question for you. I have spray matte varnish on hand, but not white paint, do you think spraying that over the foil will be alright, or am I better off picking up a can of white primer?
The Big Box hardware stores sell white tempered hardboard paneling for under $20 for a 4’X8′ sheet. If you are using chrome steel shelving units, you can get 6 panels from each sheet. The cost for the lighting operation costs seem high. Compact florescent lamps typically only use 25 watts of power per bulb. Most of the grow lights you’ll find today are LED which take less than 10 watts per light strip. If in doubt on energy consumption, get a P3 Kill-o-watt unit and plug your lights in. This will give actual use not a theoretical. I use a power strip with a timer. My lights go on the timed portion, the heat blankets run on the full time power side. Simple to have the lights turn themselves on and off without having to schedule a plant check. Now to just keep the cats out of their catnip seedlings until outdoor transplanting.
Pretty sure you’re illustrating the benefits of a grow box where lights go all the way around the plants, and above. These setups work exceptionally well, and until LEDs fans were placed in the top to vent the excess heat from fluorescent fixtures. I use white sheets over cardboard to surround my fixtures, works well.
I honestly beg to differ. I grow cannabis professionally indoors and many new LED light setups with UV-B aid immensely. Light is all based on PAR or PPFD and I can easily hit what I need with lights depending on wattage of the light and how strong the diodes are. For Vegetative stage you need 3-500 PPFD and flower upwards of 900 PPFD or ųMol. You can even have too much light and damage your plants and hinder growth! So you can easily mimic the outside. You will never hit the exact spectrums and conditions as outdoors, but, you can mimic light strength intensity. So just food for thought!
Is this a decent light to start seeds: Specifications: 2.5′ grow light 120-volt On/off switch 64 white LEDs(6500K) +40 white LEDs (5000K) + 40 warm white LEDs (4000K)+ 16 red LEDs (wavelength 630-640NM)+32 red LEDs (wavelength 655-660NM) White finish Full spectrum LED grow light Designed to provide benefits of natural sunlight for different stages of germination and growth Ideal for seed germination, fruiting and maintaining plants
Not sure I agree with the logic against using mirrors… to create an actual focus spot like that, you’d have to use either curved mirrors or multiple small mirrors with angles all directing to that focus spot. That said, outside of maybe a mirror mounted on the wall behind your setup, mirrors wouldn’t be very practical. I did my first little indoor growing this year (started about a month ago)… I used a roll of thin foam with a silvery, fairly reflective finish I had lying around (not sure what it’s original purpose was, maybe insulating ducts?). That did the trick quite nicely as well as better containing the heat within the small area.
I just use this one thing, called the sun. I live in Texas. Doesn’t get that cold here. So there is no need to start plants indoors. I just set the seed trays on a table, outside on the patio. With a awning. So they don’t get too much sun. And bring them in if we are expecting freezing temperatures in the evenings.