Indoor plant lighting

As an element of design and a means of improving the air, indoor plants are an intrinsic part of the home and work environment. In order to grow, plants need light - most of them more than 1,000 lux illuminance for as much as 16 hours a day. The amount of light required is rarely provided by incident daylight, so artificial lighting is needed as a supplement or substitute.

The effect light has on plants has been pretty thoroughly researched and the results of that research are used by market gardeners to improve yields under glass (plant lighting). What is known about promoting plant growth can be usefully applied in the home and in business premises but attention here must also be paid to decorative considerations.

One aspect of crucial importance is the spectral composition of the light: promoting photosynthesis, natural growth and natural flower formation calls for a combination of violet-blue and orange-red spectral regions. De luxe high-pressure mercury vapour lamps, three-band fluorescent lamps and energy-saving lamps or compact flouorescent lamps have the requisite spectral profiles. Other advantages of these lamps include good colour rendering properties for bringing out the natural colours of foliage and flowers and high luminous efficacy for economical operation.

Dedicated plant luminaires - elongated for three-band fluorescent lamps, with a cicrcular face for other lamps - are suspended from the ceiling and adjustable to permit different mounting heights. This enables the luminaire to be kept at the required distance from a growing plant. Important note: a distance of at least 25 to 50 centimetres should be maintained to protect the plant from high temperatures. The vertical light incidence encourages straight growth.(more information please visit www.greendyled.com)