LED Supplementary Lighting

When growing, it is definitely worth paying attention to darker areas in the grow tent or room where the main source of artificial lighting does not fully reach. Supplementary lighting is literally in place here, so that even the least exposed plants can thrive as well as possible thanks to optimal lighting, whether they are in the growth stage or the flowering stage.

If you place, for example, a T-LED light vertically in the corner of the tent, the light rays containing the ideal spectrum will fall on the lower parts of the leaves, where the top light source would normally not reach at all. A plant that is naturally used to sunlight illuminating it from all sides during the day can therefore carry out more photosynthesis and produce more energy, which is reflected in rapid growth and ripening. 

Supplementary lamps are also often used during germination, for intensive lighting of mother plants, seedlings or cuttings. For these purposes, the most suitable is the ultraviolet light spectrum, which also has disinfecting effects. Such a light fixture is suitable for a propagator and low growing spaces with weak extraction.

Supplementary lighting is also suitable if you want to support the intensity of the primary light to achieve higher yields.

Growers and gardeners commonly supplement plants with special lamps during the winter months, for example early in the morning and in the early evening. Additional artificial lighting for indoor growing also has the advantage that you can easily create summer in your home garden all year round.

A favourite among our customers is the 26W LED light for growth from the VF brand and the alternative with similar parameters from SunPro. If you want the very best for your plants, we recommend using Lumatek LED Full-Spectrum 100W BAR 2.9 with a full light spectrum for growth and flowering.

Frequently asked questions about LED supplementary lighting

How many watts should a supplementary LED have?

It depends on the purpose. For cuttings, seedlings and supplementing a corner of the tent, compact lights of around 20 to 42 W are more than enough. If you want to give the supplemented areas performance comparable to the main source, choose a stronger supplementary light such as the Lumatek BAR 2.9 with 100 W.

Which spectrum should you choose for supplementary lighting?

For growth and the whole cycle, full-spectrum lights are suitable. Ultraviolet spectrum is also used for mother plants, seedlings and cuttings, and it also has a disinfecting effect. For the purely growth stage, there are lights tuned to the growth spectrum.

Where should you place a supplementary LED in a grow tent?

Most often vertically in a corner or at the side so that the rays fall on the lower levels and sides of the plants where the top lamp does not reach. Thanks to the low heat output, these lights can be placed close to the leaves without the risk of burning.

Are supplementary LED lights suitable for houseplants in winter too?

Yes. Growers commonly supplement them during short winter days, for example early in the morning and in the early evening, thereby replacing the missing daylight.

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• Choosing lighting for growing microgreens

Are you thinking about how to effectively cover the growing space for optimal lighting? We will be happy to advise you! Do not hesitate to write to us at info@higarden.cz.