Hydroponics Lighting and Hydroponic Gardening

What does lighting got to do with the growth of plants? Do plants grow better under hydroponics lighting? Does the success rate of hydroponic gardening increase with use of hydroponic lights? How does the hydroponic system of growing plants benefit from hydroponics lighting?

As all are aware the concept of hydroponic gardening is growing plants and crops without the use of soil. It leads to considerable amounts of water, fertilizers, man power and saving of space. This concept is where the future will come to when shortage of land to feed the millions of human beings is felt. There are a number of hydroponic gardening systems in place in many countries and many more countries around the world are exploring the possibilities.

As hydroponic gardening gives one the choice to grow plants throughout the year it raises questions about lighting requirement for the healthy growth of plants. Hydroponic lights are the answer to better and more effective hydroponic system of farming.

The hydroponic system of farming is fast gaining popularity and in the coming years hydroponic gardening will save us from shortage of food and prevent us from going hungry. Plants require adequate light to grow and it is from sunlight that they derive their energy. The biggest advantage of hydroponic gardening is that your plants can be grown even indoors. Your car basement, balcony and your terrace could be turned into a potential hydroponic system of farming.

These places may or may not have adequate amount of sunlight and it is at this point of time that hydroponics lighting comes into play. It solves the problem of lighting thus giving plants and crops the energy required to grow and blossom.

Different Types of Hydroponics Lighting

Based on the requirement of the kind of plants you wish to grow using the hydroponic system of farming your hydroponic lights can be determined. The common name for the hydroponics lighting is also grow lights. You can chose from incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps and high intensity discharge lamps are some of the categories for hydroponics lighting.

If growing plants is a hobby you indulge in and have a small collection of your favorite flowering plant on your balcony or kitchen window then the ideal lamp for this purpose is the incandescent lamps. These types of hydroponic lights produce just enough energy for the plant to grow normally. They are comparatively cheap and be easily fixed. This is in way ideal for very small hydroponic gardening.

Fluorescent lamps are ideal hydroponics lighting system for starting seeds or cuttings. They can be easily fixed in the tray or fixture where the hydroponic system of farming is been adopted. In this type of hydroponics lighting you also have two lamps in one fixture. There are different sizes of the hydroponic lights with the four feet size been the most common.

These are best suited for small nurseries which have hydroponic gardening systems in place. High intensity discharge lamps are for those for whom the hydroponic system of farming is an entrepreneur endeavor. It is for people who are serious about hydroponic gardening and have acquired detailed knowledge about the various hydroponics lighting systems in use.

400 to 100 watt lamps are used as hydroponic lights and they can be further categorized into Pressure Sodium, Metal Halide, Low Pressure Sodium and Mercury Vapor.

So depending upon the size of the hydroponic gardening you want to implement you can decide the hydroponic system of farming and the hydroponics lighting to be used.