What is the difference between grow lights and fluorescent

Fluorescent bulbs are good for younger plants, that aren't ready to make fruit or flowers yet although these bulbs can provide the full spectrum of light needed to grow. They can also be run at low power, close to the plants, since they don't give off much heat.

This, from the grower's point of view, is the best energy relationship. The gold standard for growing plants is a combination of halide and high pressure sodium lights. Halides fill in the blue spectrum, while sodium, which burns an orange-red, helps flowers and fruit develop.

Those who don't care too much about the leaves of plants will sometimes use sodium lights alone, but they run flat into the old problem of regular incandescents. High pressure sodium lights give off enough heat that they need to be used with a ventilation system.

It's always a trade-off between nourishing your plants and burning them up. Top Image: Matthew Bowden , www. When choosing a grow light system, keep in mind that the fixture may be a onetime cost, but the price of the replacement bulbs affects you again and again.

Angela Brady has been writing since Currently transitioning to a research career in oncolytic virology, she has won awards for her work related to genomics, proteomics, and biotechnology.

She is also an authority on sustainable design, having studied, practiced and written extensively on the subject. Fluorescent vs. By Angela Brady. Related Articles. Lumens vs. Greenhouse Lighting Fixtures. Energy Efficiency The efficacy of a lightbulb is determined by the amount of light it produces for each watt of energy used.

Color Both fluorescent and LED grow lights come in warm and cool varieties; plants need both warm and cool light to grow appropriately.

If you have ever wondered about the specific differences between a grow light vs a regular light, then your explanation can be found below. Grow lights create an artificial light source that is specific to a light spectrum to help support the chemical process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the chemical process in which light energy is converted within a plant to energy a plant can use to grow and produce.

Grow lights are found in situations that require certain ranges of heat and light wavelengths to support vegetation both indoors, and out. They also are generally found within a specific set up or light panel that helps concentrate their light output, although certain types can be bought as individual bulbs.

Grow lights are easy to use and can plug into an electrical outlet. Often you have choices surrounding their specific uses in relation to plant health, and also may need to be changed out depending on what you need them for. They also are often strong in nature and may emit light that is harmful to your eyes, so care must be taken when using them.

Grow lights are used specifically by any person, hobbyist or commercial grower, who needs to provide parts of the spectrum specifically emitted by the sun that encourages and support vegetation. Producing plants, whether flowers, herbs, or produce, are often the most in need of a grow light in order to get well established, and to provide the crop they will eventually be harvested for. Grow lights are also very helpful to get seedlings started prior to planting, and are also popular in greenhouses and commercial grow set-ups in order to ensure healthy looking plants prior to planting or display.

Although grow lights are able to provide lights from all parts of the spectrum, including those wavelengths invisible to the eye such as UVA and UVB rays — what makes them so useful is that they are often created to use only the wavelengths plants use specifically in certain stages of growth.

This way your plants get exactly what is needed in a concentrated form, rather than having to reflect off those wavelengths that are not being utilized. This allows plants to grow more quickly, and produce at a higher rate. Plants utilize shorter, warmer wavelengths of light, found in the blue spectrum when growing and maturing. Longer, cooler wavelengths of light, such as those found in the red and orange side of the spectrum, are needed for blooming and production. UV is also included in small doses at times to provide finishing prior to harvest, as well as to help keep diseases and bacteria at bay.

High Intensity Discharge HID bulbs provide very specific red or blue spectral ranges depending which you choose. They are also usually easily interchangeable for various stages of plant growth. Fluorescent bulbs provide more blue wavelengths than anything else, although they do provide a full white light spectrum, making them excellent choices for early growth stages. These are also popular lights for large spaces that need efficient lighting within your household since they are long lasting and do not emit a lot of heat.

Light Emitting Diodes LED are small, efficient, and low heat emitting bulbs that can be used in conjunction with one another to customize your light spectrum experience.