Light is an important component of plant growth. To be specific, UV light is unique because it consists of various types of wavelengths, which are crucial for plant growth. For instance, the red wavelengths are ideal for vegging, flowering, and several colors in between, which are important for photosynthesis.
More so, the consumer market is also packed with several types and brands of UV lights you have to consider. Before getting the right type for your grow room, it would be good if you would conduct some research. Why? Controlling light intensity is crucial towards the results of your projects.
Remember that UV light is unique because it consists of various types of wavelengths, which are crucial for plant growth. In this guide, we shall be looking at the importance of using UV light.
Before we get started!
While UV light is an essential resource for gardening, it’s still a relatively new resource in growing. Before you can enjoy using this type of light, it’s also important to understand how to use and select the proper types.
Contents
What is UV Light?
It’s a term used to refer to the wavelength of light that has an average is rated at between 10 and 400 nanometers on the light spectrum. Even if there are four types of grow lights, only specific types are suitable for grow rooms. Why? The remaining types are overly powerful and can be harmful to the health of your plants.
Thus, it’s good to determine which type will suit your plants if you know the difference between usable types of UV. Let us get started:
- UV-A light (between 320 and 400 nanometers) – is a common type of light in grow lights and lamps. Many birds and some people (those that have eye deficiencies) can be able to detect this type of light.
- UV-B light (between 290 and 320 nanometers) – while it’s suitable for plants, UV-B light is not ideal for humans. That said, the type that originates from the sun is absorbed by oxygen, which barely gets to the earth’s surface.
NB: Some light brands naturally produce UV-A light because of a special chemical exchange process. That said, the LED types can be modified with special UV-B bulbs or diodes to produce UV light.
Benefits and Effects of UV Lights on Plants
Since we have information on the wavelengths of UV lights, let us move on to its effect on plant growth. Growers that use grow lights experience improve yield, better plant quality, enhanced flavor, and overall plant health.
That said, is this really true? To figure this out, let us look at the information below:
Improved Photosynthesis
Using UV light has a beneficial effect on photosynthesis, and this is evident in various studies conducted on the topic. Controlling the rate of photosynthesis is among some of the most crucial factors towards the success of your grow room. A UV light makes up for the perfect way to regulate photosynthesis.
For instance, one peer-reviewed study by the Journal of Oecologia has some exciting results. According to the study, photosynthesis improved by 11% when using UV light. Furthermore, another similar study published by the Scientia Horticulturae, showed that UV light led to improved plant yield.
Thus, it is evident in many ways that using UV light has a beneficial effect on photosynthesis.
Improved Production of Resin
Using UV light can also have beneficial effects on resin production, and this is supported by information from a recent study. The UV light improves the flavonoids and terpene levels in your plant. These are important chemicals that will enhance the richness and yield of your plants.
Exposure to UV light causes a plant to produce a substance commonly referred to as resin. You want plants to produce resin as it’s a good indicator of optimal growth and development of the plants. It’s a protective chemical that ensures the plant is safe from issues such as dehydration and common infections. Plus, the resin helps protect plants from problems such as insects or health threats such as fungi.
Below is a description of the critical benefits of resin and its association with UV light:
- Improved aroma, scent or flavor – resin production promotes increases in the number of terpenes and flavonoids that a plant can produce. Its common among growers of medical marijuana. As such, you are more likely to get plants that provide better yield during the harvest season. With the controlled application of UV light, you can regulate the production of resin in your plants.
- Improved protection against pests – the presence of the flavonoids and terpenes is likely excellent, because it helps keep insects away from the plants. It’s an excellent way to ensure the plants focus their useful resources to plant growth and development.
Side Effects
Bleaching
Excessive exposure to UV light can have detrimental side effects on the health of your plants. Overexposure might cause bleaching, which in turn hurts the yield. Bleaching will happen when the plant cells are exposed to excessive light, which can even lead to discoloration. Bleaching will compromise the plant’s ability to consume light, which can cause stunted growth and reduced yield. It is also an issue that will have adverse effects on the plant’s ability to produce resins and flavonoids, which are crucial for plant growth.
Should You Use UV Lights for Plants
Yes, that’s right! The answer to “should I use grow lights in my grow room” is absolute “YES.” That said, you may have to become informed before starting to use the lights.
Why? It’s because there are many facets to making the most of UV lights, and you should consider these factors. Whether it’s a commercial or DIY grow room, UV lights are likely to provide various health benefits.
Before you start using the lights, consider the following:
- The specific needs of your plants – not all plants will produce resin, and it’s a process that requires the specific application of lights. If you want to use UVs, ensure that you have the specific information on how to use the light for plants. If possible, determine critical aspects such as height, weight, age, and more about your plant.
- Height and space limitations – you may have to install the UV lights in the same manner as your other lights. Connecting the lights too close to the plants can lead to bleaching complications. Thus, distance is important when installing UV lights.
- Safety precautions – long term exposure to UV lights can have adverse effects on the people. You need to wear protective gear at all times when using UV lights. Also, ensure you reduce your exposure to the light as much as possible, as long term exposure is harmful to your health.
Best UV Lights for Plants Reviews
To make things more convenient, we have identified some top UV light models for you to check out. These lights have received thousands of positive reviews, and it’s easy to see why they are helping growers improve their yield. They include:
With the Ankace Full spectrum grow light, you have a reliable addition to your garden. It can provide between 380nm to 800nm, which is almost the same as the sun’s rate. Thanks to the inclusion of a flexible stand, this unit sits stable on most surfaces. It even comes with a LED lamp at the end of the lamp, which you replace with ease. Each gooseneck stand has several rows of replaceable LEDs, which makes it easy to control the light intensity.
The King Plus 600W LED light is also another top UV light brand to consider. You will find it easy to adjust this light to suit different stages of growth and development. Even more, this unit will provide between 380nm to 780nm of light, to make it ideal for plants at various stages of development. Also, you will be pleased with the energy efficiency, whereby it consumes only 125W of electricity. Thanks to the advanced cooling system, you have a reliable fan that can function between 50°F to 60°F – which is lower than most plants today.
Finally
You may be asking, “do I really need UV lights for my grow room,” and the answer to this should be an absolute “YES!” Why? Well, various studies have documented the importance of UV light for plants in the past. As such, it’s good if you can take all these factors into perspective before investing in a specific type of UV light. It’s a powerful resource, but you also have to use it the right way. The good thing is that information for using this type of light is readily available in our guide.
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