This post is being sponsored by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Keep reading and subscribe for our special $50 gift certificate giveaway! Once I get to 25 subscribers, I’ll randomly select a subscriber!
I make no promises, but these were my considerations when purchasing a grow light. I wanted:
Modularity so that I could transport the light around the house for the sake of our other plants (aka dying lemon tree and other sad houseplants)
Height to rise over the lemon tree (3-3.5’ / 1 m)
Not clip on because I have nowhere to clip it for the seedlings and the lemon tree
Not hanging because I need to be able to move the grow light easily
This meant I needed a tripod style grow light.
As much light as possible
Red and blue lights for the various stages of plant development (More nuanced than this, but effectively blue for seedling development, red for plant growth)
LEDs (Longevity of bulbs, environmental considerations, heat output)
Multiple light bars (To provide light from many different angles)
Individually controlled light bars
Timer to give the plants time to “rest” from the light for dark respiration
Both red and blue light on option
Various brightness / dimmable option
Strong adjustable goose neck lights
Extra perks:
It happens to have a remote in addition to the controller on the actual light unit.
Annoyingly, the one I purchased is not available on Amazon anymore. I also do not know the specific light spectrum on the one I purchased. I was so frustrated and worried about the seedlings that I decided to go by people’s reviews and not pursue it any further.
In terms of options there are:
LED fixtures, tubes, halogen style bulbs, and E26/E27 (American standard / European std light bulb base)
Fluorescent tube and E26/E27
Incandescent E26/E27
The LEDs come in a variety of orientations and output little heat. You can get light bars, tube lights, hanging light fixtures, bulbs. Fluorescents come in tube lights and bulbs. They output some heat. Incandescents come in bulbs, and output a lot of heat. This matters because you want the light source as close as possible to the seedlings or plants without risk of burning the plants. For seedlings this matters because if the light source is too far away you risk the seedlings becoming leggy, trying to grow towards the light course as quickly as possible.
This post is being sponsored by Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Keep reading and subscribe for our special $50 gift certificate giveaway! Once I get to 25 subscribers, I’ll randomly select a subscriber!
With these notes in mind you should be able to find a grow light that suit your needs. If not, shoot me a message (your at plants dot fail) and I’ll be happy to chat! And, if all else fails, go to your local hydroponics store or plant nursery. I love you guys, have a great week!