Best Green Houses

In simple terms, a greenhouse is meant to grow plants in a controlled environment that provides

them with optimal conditions needed for their well being. This essentially means that plants are

no longer growing in open nature, but inside secured enclosures. The individual responsible for

the greenhouse must therefore ensure that plants are provided with suitable conditions similar

to the ones enjoyed by their counterparts growing in nature.

Light

Plants manufacture their food by the process of photosynthesis. In nature, this process

consumes sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to manufacture carbohydrates and other organic

compounds that serve a food and are essential for the growth of plants. It is therefore important

that plants receive adequate sunlight inside the greenhouse. This is especially the case in

winters, when sunlight is scarce. It is here that utility of artificial lights comes into play. Various

different types or artificial lighting systems are available in the market today. Selecting a suitable

lighting system can nonetheless prove tricky, especially for those unfamiliar with them.

Factors to be considered when purchasing greenhouse lighting

Before actually buying a greenhouse lighting system, you must bear in mind the following

considerations so as to get the most suitable light for your hothouse.

1. Type of your greenhouse

Before selecting the light, you must consider the type of greenhouse you are going to install it in.

Whether it is a commercial or a personal greenhouse. The type of greenhouse dictates the type

of light that is most suited to it. For a commercial greenhouse, the lighting system must be able

to bear adverse operating conditions that are usually found inside.

2. Operating hours

The amount of light usage in the greenhouses is based on "photoperiods." Photoperiods are

defined as time intervals during which light will be switched on. The duration of these

photoperiods varies, depending upon the season, climate and location of the greenhouse. A

photoperiod of 12 hours means that in 24 hours of a day, lights will only be operating for 12

hours.

It is therefore important that the light purchased will be able to operate for time periods that are

equal to the required photoperiods.

3. Purpose

You must purchase a lighting system that will focus on your requirements. In case you want to

induce growth in flowering plants, it is best to buy a source that will emit more "spectrum

colors" like red, blue and the "far-red wavelengths." The colors contained in the light being

emitted have considerable effect on growth of plants. This means that not all colors in the light

spectrum produce the required effects.

4. Electrical efficiency

Lighting systems are almost always powered by electricity. This means that operating a lighting

system will add to your electricity bills. Electrical efficiency can play an important part in

reducing your bills, while proving the same amount of luminosity.

5. Heat

No light source is 100% efficient. This means that some amount of electrical input will always be

converted into heat that will be emitted by the light source. In so many words, a light that is

more a heater than a light is no good. Overheating could actually kill your plants.

Lighting is a very important parameter that contributes towards the development of a plant. It is

therefore important to buy the lighting system that is best suited for your greenhouse so as to

ensure healthy growth of your plants.