Grow lights with red and blue light emissions are best for growing African violets. To boost the amount of light output in the red and blue spectrums, LED lights can be added to a grow lighting system. Violets blossom under red lights, and photosynthesis is aided by blue lighting. African violets that are subjected to artificial illumination may experience leaf bleaching, a condition where the leaves become paler. Leaf bleaching-prone violets should be grown under indirect sunlight.
The best grow light for African violets is what kind?
T5HO fluorescent bulbs are used to grow plants, and extensive research has been done on lighting for African violets.
One 5000K T5HO fluorescent light bulb put above the African violets (AV) will produce a range of 3000-3500 Lux for standards and 4500-5000 Lux (two bulbs may be needed) for minis and semi-minis. This is a nice place to start when growing a variety of AVs.
Although I don’t advise using the distance between the AV’s crown and light bulb as an exact measurement (due to the age and diminished intensity of fluorescent bulbs overtime), a distance of between 6.5 (mature, full-grown standard) and 10 inches (young, starter plant) from the top of the crown’s canopy is advised. Seven hours a day is an excellent place to start. After careful inspection, make any required adjustments in 30-minute increments. However, some AVs, especially some with huge and dark green foliage, will react well to a higher level of blue from 6400K, but others, such as those with variegated foliage, will react unfavorably over time and experience photo-bleaching. These multicolored AVs might appreciate a warmer setting between 4000-5000K. Each AV will react individually, therefore it may be necessary to shift the plant between numerous light configurations before observing it for two to four weeks to see if the growth pattern is satisfactory to the farmer.
There is minimal daylength adjustment necessary during the seamless transition from T5HO fluorescent to LED retrofit bulbs. A few AVs, particularly minis, semi-minis, trailers, and some standards, perform well with two T5HO LED bulbs, one 6400K and one 3000K. Others will thrive under 6400K for the majority of the time until it begins to seek out more red light just before a bloom cycle. I supplement with a 3000K bulb when I notice this until the crown flattens (typically about 1-2 weeks).
Finally, there are AVs with light green and variegated leaf that may be grown with a single 5000K bulb or with a 5000K/4000K combination. I add one 3000K (higher red) bulb for flowers to the setup ten to twelve weeks before the presentation. AVs will always have at least one, but never more than two, bulbs (always in combination, never both the same K temperature, i.e., two 5000K bulbs on the same shelf) at any one time in any feasible lighting configuration.
How do LED lights generate light?
- They are tiny and lack filaments, unlike standard light bulbs.
- An LED produces light through electroluminescence in a semiconductor material rather than a filament.
- When electricity (electric current) travels through or emits light from a semiconductor material, the process is known as electroluminescence (see above p-n junction image).
- Electromagnetic radiation, including visible light, is produced as the electrical current’s electrons move through the semiconductor material.
LED Lights Compared To Fluorescent Lights:
- LEDs are more energy-efficient than fluorescent lighting.
- They are more expensive than fluorescent lights but last a lot longer.
- Unlike fluorescent lights, LEDs do not produce heat, so they may be placed closer to your violets without worrying about burning them.
- Unlike fluorescent lighting, which generates dispersed light, LED lights shine light straight above the plant (light in all directions).
- There are cold white, warm white, and daylight fluorescent light options.
- Additionally, cool white, warm white, and daylight LED bulbs are readily accessible.
- The color temperature is what distinguishes these bulbs on a technical level. Kelvin is a unit of measurement for color temperature (K).
- In “Part I Fluorescent Lighting,” you can read more about the color temperature range.
- Based on the wavelength and color temperature of the lights, LEDs can be modified.
African Violet Plants Underneath LED Lights:
Bulbs for LED tube lights in replacement:
- The shape of LED tube light bulbs is comparable to that of fluorescent tube light bulbs.
- Some of these LED bulbs can be dimmed, and some feature an on/off switch.
- Since many farmers have already made an investment in lighting for T8 and T12 fluorescent bulbs, switching to LED makes financial sense.
- T8 or T12 fluorescent bulbs can be replaced with a variety of LED tube lights.
- To begin with, you must ascertain whether you have T8 or T12 fluorescent bulbs.
- The ends of the bulbs have marks that should identify the type of bulb.
- Next, check whether your bulb has T5 (5mm between pins) or T8 or T12 pins (13mm between pins). This is a another method of determining the type of bulb you have.
- Third, double-check the tube length you choose. Finally, you need to validate the kind of ballast that powers your fluorescent lamp.
- T8 bulbs are operated by electrical ballasts, while T12 lights are operated by magnetic ballasts.
- You have two options for selecting replacement LED tubes: ballet bypass-direct line voltage LEDs or ballast-compatible LEDs (explained below).
- Additionally, whether they are single-ended or double-ended tubes must be taken into account while purchasing LED tubes (explained below).
LED T8 tube light bulbs as replacements:
- These LED tube light bulbs are compatible with electronic ballasts.
- They go by the names Type-A, Plug-n-Play, and Direct-Fit bulbs as well.
- Similar to the electrical ballasts used in T8 fluorescent tube lighting, these work.
- With the magnetic ballast found in T12 fluorescent tube fixtures, these LED tubes will not function.
- To function, they require a T8 electrical ballast. By doing this, you can continue to use your current fixtures and ballast.
- Simply swap out your T8 fluorescent tube for a T8 LED tube to make this work.
- The high cost of these bulbs is a drawback.
- Additionally, the ballast fixture will fail before your LED tube runs out of life. You wind up paying for an additional fixture as a result.
LED tubes with direct-wire/ballast bypass:
- They also go by the names “LED tubes that are Type-B, “Line Voltage,” or “Direct-Wire.
- Single end powered (SEP) and double end powered (DEP) Type B tubes are available in two different configurations. Below, we go into greater detail about these.
- Since the ballast must be removed or bypassed, these tubes are referred to as ballast bypass.
- These LED tubes are connected to the main line voltage and contain an internal driver.
- They are powered directly by line voltage “circumventing the ballast. This indicates that the existing fixture’s ballast has been removed, and the power has been routed straight to the sockets.
- Unless you are confident dealing with simple wiring and can adhere to UL (underwriter laboratories) safety rules, it is recommended to have a licensed electrician handle this.
- Ballast bypass calls for a straightforward rewiring of your existing fixtures.
- Depending on the maker of your fixtures and the replacement bulbs, there are different instructions for changing your present ballast fixtures to take the new LED bulbs.
- Depending on the type of existing fixture you own and the kind of replacement LED bulb you choose, there are several videos that may lead you through these processes.
- You must remove the ballast cover, disconnect the wires, remove the ballasts from your fixtures, and then rejoin the wires for this sort of installation.
- As opposed to ballast compatible lights, these bulbs are less expensive.
- They use less energy than ballast-compatible bulbs do.
- However, as these LED bulbs run on your home wiring instead of ballasts, they do need the ballast to be removed or bypassed.
Hybrid (ballast bypass and compatible with electric ballasts):
- Type A+B or combo drive LED are other names for these tube light bulbs.
- These LED tube light bulbs are compatible with both line-voltage and ballast installations.
- If you are using an electrical ballast (for T8), you can rewire the LED tubes to connect directly to the line voltage if the ballast breaks down.
- Costs will increase since a licensed electrician will be needed for this.
universal LED tube light replacement bulbs:
- They can be utilized with either T8 electrical ballast or T12 magnetic ballast.
- Since universal LED tube light bulbs are ballast compatible, you don’t need to modify or remove your ballast.
- Your existing fixtures can accept the universal fit LED replacement bulbs.
- The LED bulbs slot into the same ballast as the fluorescent lamps, so no rewiring is necessary. Install the new LED tubes after removing the outdated fluorescent ones.
- Both the T8 electrical ballast and the T12 magnetic ballast can be used with them.
- There are three different kinds: cool, daylight, and warm.
- These direct universal replacement bulbs have been criticized for flickering, inefficient output, and low energy economy.
- These universal bulbs are expensive as well.
- Additionally, if your ballast breaks, you will obviously need to replace the entire fixture, which would incur additional costs.
Direct-wire/Ballast bypass/Type-B LED tubes driven by SEP or DEP are two different types of tubes (mentioned above).
SEP, or single end powered tube
- Single end powered tubes (SEP) only use one end of the tube to generate electricity.
- The tube’s powered end has a non-shunted socket (a socket with separate points of contacts for the wires).
- A dummy is at the opposite end of the tube (no power).
- Only non-shunted sockets can support SEP LED tubes.
- Before employing SEP LED tubes, make sure your fixture has a non-shunted socket attached.
- The power is only routed through one end of SEP LED tubes.
- SEP LED tubes do not require a ballast or external driver.
- On a single side of the socket, there is only one pin each for live and neutral.
- The input end of the tube is referred to as this.
- Because they are direct wire, these tubes don’t need a ballast to operate.
- You must take out the ballast before installing these SEP LED tubes in an existing fluorescent luminaire.
- The carriers of electric current are the live and neutral pins.
- Replace the tubes, the fixture, and/or rewire the existing fixture when replacing SEP fluorescent tubes.
- Failure or sparking of the SEP tubes is one of the dangers associated with replacement.
(b) Double-end powered tube
- Power is wired through a double end powered tube (DEP) at both ends (the contacts are internally connected).
- DEPs won’t work on sockets that have been shunted (a connected socket).
- Two live pins are present on each side of the tube in a shunted socket.
- They therefore have neutral pins on one end and live pins on the other of the tube.
- Both of them get line voltage. DEP operate similarly to fluorescent lights.
- One end of the tubes receives line voltage, and the other end receives neutral power.
- Since DEP LED tubes are commonly used in place of fluorescent tubes, replacing them is simple.
- DEP LED tubes are more expensive.
LED store lighting
- LED shoplights are an alternative if you don’t want to reuse your original fluorescent lighting.
- These are available in either 3 or 4 foot lengths.
- They come in color temperatures that are comparable to fluorescent lamps. You can also find LED bulbs that are similar if your fluorescent lamps were in the 3000K–4000K or 5000K–7000K color temperature range.
- The color temperature range for warm white bulbs is 2500K–3000K.
- The color temperatures of the cool white bulbs range from 3100K to 4500K.
- The color temperatures of the daylight bulbs range from 4600K to 6500K. In “Part I Fluorescent Lighting,” you can read more about the color temperature range.
- Personally, I utilize cool white fluorescent and LED lights in my plant area.
- The brightness of the bulb should also be taken into account.
- Given that LED bulbs may produce very strong light, this is crucial to know when buying LED shoplights. The brightness of the bulbs increases with the lumens.
- I advise staying in the 2000–4000 lumen range for African violets.
- Anything higher would be very brilliant and might result in narrow crowns. If you choose to use higher lumens, which are comparable to daylight bulbs, you will need to modify the distance between plants and the lights as well as how long they are on for.
- Shoplights with a higher brightness rating may be appropriate for seed germination or young transplant plants.
- Fluorescent tube bulbs have a cylindrical construction, which means the light is spread in all directions, which is another reason to choose lower brightness bulbs.
- Therefore, even if you have a fluorescent tube that has a 3000 lumen output, your African violet plant will only receive 1000 lumens, or one-third of that amount, of direct light. In contrast, LED bulbs emit light directly above the plant, so your African violet is now receiving the full 3000 lumens of light when you switch to them.
- That represents a significant shift for the plant, and the more light may result in tighter crowns and crunchy, yellow, or curled leaves.
- In my plant area, I’ve started using 3000 lumen cool white LED shoplights. These are my 3’1″ and my 4’1″ ones.
- Per shelf, I only have one LED shoplight, but it serves its job nicely.
- To ensure that the leaves receive an even amount of light, I’ve found that I need to rotate the plants frequently; otherwise, the plant would become lopsided as the leaves are continuously searching for the light.
- I could change the height of the plant lights and perhaps their duration as well, but I haven’t done that yet. To create a balanced lighting setup, I could also add a second daylight shoplight (4600K–6500K) to the shelf in addition to the cool white.
Grow light LEDs:
- These kinds of LED grow lights might be useful for you if you only have a modest collection of violets.
- Although I personally don’t have any experience with them, I’ve read and heard about several African violet growers who have.
- These bulbs have the advantage of incorporating both warm and cold LED diodes into a single bulb, allowing for balanced light production.
- These LED lights are distinct from typical indoor LED bulbs since they were created with plant growth in mind.
- These grow lights have long arms that are covered in LED diodes.
- These bulbs are offered in wattage ratings ranging from 30W to 60W. The unit of measurement for energy use is the watt. Lumens and Watt also have a relationship. Low lumen indicates low wt of the bulb. The lumen of a bulb corresponds to its weight.
- With these LED lights, one of the few things you need to be cautious about is too much light.
- You might need to change the length of time the lights are on and how close the bulbs are to the plant.
- The beautiful thing about this setup is that each arm has a separate adjustable timer, and each arm is individually customizable.
- You will need to determine your own time and height settings that are appropriate for your particular plant area.
Strips of LED lighting
- The LED light strips are an additional choice for LED illumination. These strips are offered in wattage (wt) ratings ranging from 30W to 90W.
- The adhesive tape on the back of the lights can be used to affix them straight to the stand shelves. Some of these lights have magnets attached to them so they may be secured to the stands.
- Although I have not personally used these lights, I may do so in the future on a single shelf.
- These can be a good alternative if you don’t want to reuse old fluorescent fixtures or buy LED tube light fixtures.
- With these, I would advise starting out slowly and observing how they do on a single shelf or with a small number of plants.
- Since you cannot modify the height of your strips as you can with fixtures, it is helpful to have dimmers that come with some of the higher grade LED light strips so you can manage the brightness. The LED light strips essentially remain in place unless you adjust the overall height of your shelf. However, it’s possible that you’ll need to buy these dimmers individually.
- These LED light strips also have the advantage of being trimmed to any required length. This is a useful feature because it allows you to add more strips.
- There are LED strips available as well that are already connected to one another and do not need to be cut.
- When buying these lights, check to see if they include a power adapter or transformer. Sometimes inexpensive lights do not include a power adapter or transformer.
- It’s advisable to stick with daylight or white daylight when selecting LED light strips for your African violets. They will spread the light out evenly.
- You may need to experiment with the length of time the lights are on and how many strips you attach to the stand because the daylight or white daylight LED light strips are not intended for residential use.
- Recently, there have been several possibilities and fairly priced LED light strips for plants. You can dim them so that they are either 25 percent, 50 percent, 75 percent, or 100 percent bright. A timer that can be set for 3, 6, 9 or 12 hours a day is present.
- These lights come in a variety of wavelengths, including red, blue, green, and/or yellow. Red light, which has wavelengths between 640 and 660 nm, encourages flowering and seed germination. The blue wavelengths, which range from 440 nm to 470 nm, encourage the formation of roots and green leafy plants. The green spectrum ranges from 495 to 570 nm. The wavelengths for yellow are 570–590 nm.
- It is also possible to use a combination of red and blue wavelengths, which can be beneficial for African violet plants as it encourages robust, healthy stems and leaves as well as flowering.
- Since African Violet plants only generate a small range of light, using solely red or blue wavelengths over an extended period of time could hinder their growth.
- African violet plants can also benefit from the use of a full spectrum LED light strip, particularly ones with a higher proportion of red/blue to green and yellow wavelengths. These strips are able to offer a well-balanced variety of lighting.
- However, they are high intensity lights. Expensive LED light strips are also available for plants. They might not be appropriate for violets because they are designed for growing indoor seedlings or vegetable plants.