Light System Maintenance
Another important contributor to the available
light energy of an indoor garden is light system
maintenance. Some light technologies require an-
nual bulb replacement to ensure high levels of light
energy are available to the plants. Indoor horticultur-
ists who wait for their lights to “burn out” will see
a continued decrease in yields due to the declining
available light energy emitted by the lighting system.
In order to maintain the highest level of usable light
energy, most HID lights (with the exception of some
of the newer duel ended bulbs), will need replace-
ment bulbs every 8-12 months. Cleaning or wiping
off reflectors, reflective materials, and/or the glass
in air-cooled reflectors to remove dust, dirt, or other
debris will go a long way in maximizing light energy.
Newer technologies, such as LEDs and induction fluo-
rescents, will not require bulb changes, but should
still be wiped down to remove dust or dirt that could
otherwise reduce the system’s light energy output.
Something as insignificant as cleaning a lighting sys-
tem once a week can make a huge difference in the
lighting system’s efficiency. Dust or dirt left on the
surface of a lighting system can reduce the light en-
ergy by 10% or more. In other words, do not discount
the significance of cleaning or maintaining a lighting
system.
Experienced indoor horticulturists understand the
importance of maximizing their given light energy.
By placing the plants as close as possible (without
causing damage) to the light source, a grower can
capture the full power of the lighting system’s “sweet
spot”. The more plant material a grower can get in
the lighting system’s “sweet spot”, the higher the
yield will be. Gardeners who make use of the tools
capable of increasing light energy efficiency, such as
light movers and/or reflective materials, will also be
rewarded with larger fruits and flowers. Finally, hor-
ticulturists who take the time to maintain their light-
ing systems by regularly changing bulbs and cleaning
will get the most bang for their bucks out of their
indoor gardening equipment.
Since the sun cannot be brought indoors, the
world of indoor horticulture must revolve around the
artificial lighting source. A gardener that makes the
most efficient use of their artificial lighting system,
by understanding the inverse square law and imple-
menting the various tools at his or her disposal, will
be able to truly maximize the efficiency of his or her
garden’s lighting system and will be rewarded come
harvest time. GG
Eric Hopper resides in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula where
he enjoys gardening and pursuing sustainability. He is a Garden
& Greenhouse senior editor and can be contacted at Ehop@Garde-
nAndGreenhouse.net.
LIQUID ROOTING HORMONE
• Choice of professional plant propagators
• Roots everything from hardwoods to succulents
• As low as 5 cents per 100 cuttings
EASY TO USE
TM
DIP’N GROW, INC.
®
Clackamas, Oregon 97015-1888
Toll Free: 866-347-6476 • FAX 503-445-0101
email: [email protected]
www.dipngrow.com
Distributor Inquiries Welcome
38
Available in 3 convenient sizes for the professional nurseryman
and the home gardener at leading nursery supply outlets.
www.GardenandGreenhouse.net
October 2017