What grow lights do most commercial farms use? 2020 Full Guides

Sunlight is one of the essential components for plant growth. The sun fuels photosynthesis, but the right grow lights can simulate the sun's action. Although virtually any light will stimulate the growing process, not all artificial lights will provide the best conditions for growth. Some may run too hot, while others lack the spectrum of light for optimal growth. Blue light is likelier to promote plant growth while red light will encourage flowering.  Selecting the right marijuana grow lights can give the indoor gardener an edge that will pay off handsomely with healthy plants ready to transplant when springtime finally rolls around.

Types of Grow Lights

1. Fluorescent Grow Lights. 
Fluorescent grow lights are used for growing herbs and vegetables indoors. They are two types, including fluorescent tubes and Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs). Fluorescent tubes come in many different intensities. They last longer and are more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs--the common bulbs that have been lighting homes for decades. Fluorescent bulbs are very thin and can easily fit into small spaces. As for downsides, they require a ballast to regulate current and the tubes require a stand, rather than a conventional socket.

2. HPS Grow Lights. 
Before the advent of LED grow lights, HPS grow lights were the main option for large indoor plantings. They are extremely powerful, but are expensive to purchase, consume electricity inefficiently, require special light fixtures, and give off a lot of heat. All that said, they are very effective and are still widely used. If you want to grow large plants like tomatoes or lemon bushes, HIDs are good bet because the light penetrates farther into the foliage than with other bulbs.

3. LED Grow Lights. 
The newest type of grow light technology, LED grow light for indoor plants are quickly gaining ground in the hydroponics world due to their smaller size and energy efficiency. They can last upwards of 50,000 hours, which means you won’t have to change them for years! Additionally, they can be placed quite close to plants since they do not give off heat like other types of grow lights. LED lights also don’t require ballasts, making them a great choice for beginners to both hydroponics and light systems. Blue-toned LED lights are ideal for ‘vegging’ your plants, while red/orange toned bulbs are perfect for stimulating flowering plants to bloom.

Best Commercial Grow Lights

In the commercial sector of agriculture and horticulture production, proper grow lighting is one of the most important factors in maximizing the plant quality and crop yields. Since every grow facility is different, the unique nature of each facility needs to be addressed in terms of their specific operations grow lighting needs. RF Agriculture now offers professional onsite consulting, design, and commercial grow light system installation to help you with the implementation of a state of the art and completely automated grow lighting system.

LED grow light has fast become a staple in the commercial greenhouse, indoor farming, and CEA grow op industries- replacing the standard grow light sources with improved lighting through LED’s. Growers that have installed LED’s have seen results that show increased yields and decreases production costs in relation to utilities. 

This lighting source can be used as a supplemental source of light for plants or as the only source of light. Many operations have switched entirely to LED grow lighting with the ability to grow in every space type regardless of if there are sources of natural light or not.

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