Questions tagged [light]

Illumination, required for photosynthesis. Use this tag for all questions about the required light levels for your plants. For questions specifically about artificial lights use the [led] or [grow-lamp] tags. For questions directly about the Sun and its effects in different conditions on plants use the [sunlight] tag.

Virtually all plants require light to power the chemical reaction known as photosynthesis, to produce sugars and cellulose (exceptions include some rare orchids such as Hexalectris which are at best partially photosynthetic).

Different plants have adapted to require different amounts of light. For example, trees that grow at high latitudes are generally adapted for poor light conditions, and low latitude desert plants are adapted for high light conditions.

There can be artificial light sources like lights or beside the natural source of light: .

Use this tag for all questions about the required light levels for your plants. Use it with tag(s) specific to the plants in the question.

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Do seeds require light indoors to germinate?

In general, do most seeds require/do better with bright light when germinating indoors? I am trying to germinate a variety of seeds indoors (basil, chives, spinach, pepper) and am curious if no lighting (just warmth) is sufficient or if it would be…
WienerDog
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What is 'Etiolation'?

I saw a comment about Etiolation when talking about wintering plants. Etiolation is a big concern also, in warmer temps and short days. I've never seen that word before, it sounds like it's something bad happening to the plant. What does…
The Flash
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What kind of light is needed for moss and ferns?

I'm planning to set up a nano-vivarium to grow moss and ferns indoor like shown in the picture below. My question is what kind of light is best or which lamps should I use? I don't have any experience with indoor-growing moss yet.
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Does it matter when I supplement light?

So i know my plants aren't getting enough light, my question is, does it make a difference if I turn on the light as soon as the direct sunlight goes away or if I do it when I get back from work (and the sun has been gone for a while)
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Indoor LEDs: Recommended Light Levels for Vegetables, Herbs, etc

I'm growing vegetables and herbs with LED lights inside. Where can I find a list of recommended lighting values (uMol per square foot) for a long list of plants that I might want to grow? For instance, I've found recommendations for basil (500) and…
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Do indoor plants go dormant in winter?

I read that many plants go dormant in winter. I live in the Netherlands, and while outside temperatures are between -3 °C and 10 °C in winter, the temperatures in my room are always between 15 °C and 20 °C. I have aloes, cacti, and a Dracaena…
kettlepot
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What products can I use to hang herbs under a fluorescent light?

I have a window-like opening between my kitchen sink and the adjacent room. On the ceiling of the opening is a fluorescent light, and ideally I'd like to set up a long rectangular hanging basket underneath. I would also like ideally to use an…
glenviewjeff
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Solar driven LEDs to offset electricity for mass growing in a basement

I want to grow vegetables in my basement year round. I live in zone 3b, in a rural area and I'd like to start selling produce as well as providing food for my family as well. Ideally, I'd like to build a DIY LED setup, with affordable 100watt LEDs…
Tyler
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Is a full spectrum 380-840nm white phosphor LED suitable for growing plants?

I am an avid grower and like most I have spent much time and money on various lights and techniques. Take a look at this http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/1519924202/High_lumen_phospher_100w_380_840nm.html Now even if it was crap, it is cheap and…
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What are the alternatives to AeroGarden

I'm looking for an indoor hydroponic system and I've found the AeroGarden family which looks great but I'd like to check the alternatives. Are there systems similar to this? Important features for me: Relatively compact size Adjustable lamp…
asalamon74
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Why aren't my hydroponic plants growing well?

I started growing tomato and pepper plants in my indoor hydroponic system. The first two weeks after the transplantation all the plants were healthy, but after the second week, there hasn't been any growth. I am: watering every day in the…
Sidda
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What's a good alternative to Incandescent Christmas lights for frost protection?

I understand that gardeners used to wrap trees in Christmas lights to provide frost protection as incandescent lights gave off quite a bit of heat. Try as I might, I've been unable to find any outdoor rated incandescent Christmas lights (that will…
davidgo
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What should I consider while building a grow-light system?

I will build a grow light system from LED lights for a 1m x 2m square area. I am planning to grow 6 plants (vegetables) in that area. I am a little tight in terms of budget. So I want to find cheapest option while obtaining enough result. My plan is…
user3160302
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Is sunlight from my window enough to grow cherry tomato seedlings indoors?

It is my first time planting anything from seeds, and certainly my first time with cherry tomatoes. I've watched many tutorials and read many articles, so I have a fair knowledge about the subject. What I'm not sure of is whether or not the sunlight…
user2120121
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Why is my apple seedling shriveling up after like 15 min, every time I remove the plastic dome?

Around 7-9 weeks ago (maybe more) I planted a sprouted apple seed in a cup of potting soil that I placed on top of a low heat pad, and covered it with a plastic bag. I also have a full spectrum fluorescent on it, and both are on a timer for 12 hours…
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