It is known that healthy and strong seedlings- the key to a successful harvest. Climatic conditions middle zone Russia is not allowed to grow all vegetables by sowing seeds directly into the ground. Of course, you can purchase ready-made seedlings, but many summer residents prefer to grow them with their own hands at home.

Vegetables such as peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants are planted in seedlings during the winter months, when daylight hours are short. The situation is aggravated if the windows of the apartment face north or the apartment is located on the first floor. But seedlings definitely need light for normal development; if there is insufficient lighting, the seedlings will be lethargic, weak and elongated. Therefore, summer residents cannot do without additional lighting.

Illumination is provided by lamps whose spectrum includes blue and red. Red light has a positive effect on seed germination and triggers the process of photosynthesis and growth in seedlings. The blue region of the spectrum is responsible for cell division and the appearance of new strong shoots.

Artificial lighting is required for any vegetable seedlings, and illumination methods may be different. Sodium lamps provide good warm light, but due to their high cost they can hardly be used for homemade plant lighting. Phytolamps are also a bit expensive, and they also require the installation of a special mirror reflector, because their light in the pink and violet spectrum is beneficial for plants, but harmful to human body. Metal halide sodium lamps are cheap, but have a drawback - there is little blue light in their spectrum, which negatively affects the development of plants. Therefore, the most acceptable options are fluorescent and LED lamps.

Illumination of seedlings with LEDs - advantages

LED bulbs– preferable to fluorescent ones, because they are durable and allow you to choose the right spectrum for illuminating seedlings; they are sold in any hardware store, consume little electricity, are easy to install and operate. In principle, you can screw an LED lamp into the socket and wait for the results, but seasoned summer residents advise using an assembly of LEDs or an LED strip for illumination.

Lighting for seedlings using LEDs

In order to assemble a source of additional lighting for seedlings at home, you need: UVR 1 LEDs (red and blue), hot melt adhesive, a base for attaching the LEDs (board, school ruler, aluminum profile and so on), pulse block power supply - the so-called driver with power corrector 220 V, 9-15x1 W, 310 mA, cord and plug.

The diodes are assembled and attached to the driver. It must be connected to a switch and plug. To provide optimal lighting for growing seedlings, it is necessary to alternate the LEDs in this order: 2 red - 1 blue and so on. If the seedlings will be grown in a closed box, and not near the window, then you also need to purchase milk and pure LEDs white, which will create the effect of morning and afternoon lighting. But then you need to take double switch and connect the wires so that you can control the light.

LED strips for illuminating seedlings

The simplest and least labor-intensive way to make backlighting from diodes is to use LED strip. You will need: 4 corners 20x20; two LED strips - red and blue, driver, cord and plug. The assembly diagram only requires sticking tape with lamps on the corners and connecting the driver, observing the polarity.

As you know, in order for plants to grow well, they need to be illuminated, since light is the main and necessary factor for metabolic processes and the formation of plant tissues.

In order for the seedlings to be strong, in addition to the main light, you need to add artificial light, we suggest considering LED backlight seedlings.

LEDs for seedlings, their effect on plants

Spectral light affects plants differently. LEDs for plantings are capable of creating red or blue rays. Seedlings require these rays for successful development.

Blue rays promote the activation of roots, and red rays help the formation of seedlings. Plants do not perceive green and yellow rays.

A simple incandescent lamp has low phytoefficiency compared to the wavelengths of light needed for photosynthesis. As a result, the plant experiences a lack of light, despite its excess. Watch a video example about creating LED lighting.

Video: LED lamps for additional lighting of seedlings

Characteristics of plant LEDs

• With the help of LED lamps, plants receive the necessary waves. They have a narrow spectrum and the greatest efficiency. Consequently, seedlings absorb only those waves of light that they need at a given time.
• Electricity consumption is much less compared to ordinary lamps. No bulb replacement required.
• When using LEDs, low voltage is applied. In the event of water penetration, the circuit poses no danger. This way the LEDs can be placed close to the seedlings. They do not heat up and do not dry out the plants.
• There is no flickering of LED lamps.
• There is no infrared radiation or ultraviolet radiation.
• LEDs are environmentally friendly devices without mercury, gas or toxins. They can be easily recycled.
• Duration of operation up to 50,000 hours.

These features of LEDs for seedlings are of interest to many buyers, despite the cost of the lamps. It has been recorded that the effect of LEDs on seedlings is preserved even after the plants are planted in the soil. Such plants grow quickly and produce a good harvest. Pay attention to the graph.

Making LEDs with your own hands

To install an LED lamp you will need:

• a small plate equal to the illuminated area;
• blue ribbon and red;
• current source for connecting the tape to the network.

Important condition! For seedlings, the LED colors should be 1 and 8 (1 – blue, 8 – red).

LEDs cannot be connected directly to a 220 volt network. This requires a current source that transforms the voltage level to 12 volts and converts the current. Purchase a driver equipped with a current stabilizer that will reliably protect during voltage surges.

The technological process of installing LED strip is not complicated.

Clean the board from dirt and degrease it before gluing. Cut the tape into pieces between the soldered areas. Such areas are marked. Connect the parts of the tape using soldering wires or a connector.

The LED strip does not imply a fan for cooling, but if there is insufficient ventilation, it is necessary to remove heat by installing the strip on an aluminum profile so that heating does not reduce the resources of the LEDs.

There is glue on the back of the tape. Remove the protective layer from it and press the fly to the plate. Do not bend the tape too much so as not to disturb the paths that conduct current.

Place the LED board on the supports and place the seedlings under them.

Watch this useful video: LED lighting for plants

We turn on the power source to a 220 volt network, connect the LEDs and apply voltage while observing the polarity.

I like to conduct different experiments while making LED lights as a technician, not burdened with deep knowledge of biology. However, “misunderstandings” in the results and curiosity forced me to delve into the process of photosynthesis and it turned out to be quite a fascinating activity.
I think that for home grown seedlings, LEDs are better than any phytolamps, because they are devoid of the disadvantages inherent in lamps:

• High power consumption
• Heat generation does not allow the lamps to be brought very close to the shades
• Increased space for placement
• Low service life
• High requirements for electrical safety
• Inability to adjust spectrum for different growth stages

LEDs have one drawback - their price, although it is steadily falling - demand is quietly growing.
I mean monochrome LEDs "vegetable" spectrum 440nm (blue) and 660nm (deep red). Let me remind you that monochrome LEDs emit light in a very narrow range, plus or minus 10 nanometers from their peak emission.
Scientists botanists have determined what kind of light plants need a long time ago and, based on their recommendations, they make phytolamps. Scientific research continue continuously, but to us, summer residents, their results are inaccessible.
Plant-based LEDs continue to be very expensive due to very low demand and production volume.
In the summer of 2013, the price of a Chinese one-watt LED was around 40 rubles.
Branded high-quality LEDs are much more efficient and several times more expensive - practically unaffordable for purchase.

Since people constantly ask questions in private, I decided to experiment with supplementary lighting of seedlings using not “vegetable” ones, but ordinary, more affordable full-spectrum white LEDs. Their “non-vegetation” lies in the fact that, unlike monochrome ones, they have very wide range radiation, and the peaks in the blue and red regions in their spectrum do not coincide with the peaks of photosynthesis (440 and 660).

But at the same time they are several times cheaper and this was encouraging!

I explain what reasoning prompted me to use white LEDs:
1. Under normal fluorescent lamps(not with phytolamps) because the seedlings are growing. Although their spectrum is “non-vegetable” - so why not try LEDs of the same spectrum

2. Biologists today claim that in the blue region of photosynthesis there are two chlorophylls that regulate plant growth. Their photosensitivity peaks diverge in both directions from 440 nm, i.e. stretched across the blue area. And quality In white lights, the blue area is stretched wide, especially in “cold” white lights. So maybe try to do without the blue ones at least?

3. Commercially available LED phytolights for the most part do not have accurate information about the spectral composition. They shine in red-blue, but this spectrum is often very inferior, usually 460-620, instead of 440-660. That is, it is still a “defective plant,” but the seedlings grow well.
Here's an example: the price is huge - 12,000 rubles, and there is a lot of information, but there is not a word about the spectrum, so why buy a pig in a poke:

4. Cheap, high-power white LEDs have appeared in the form of premium strips and rigid module strips, which can dramatically simplify the design of the lamp. White LEDs are intended for lighting, their production is growing at an unprecedented pace and therefore they are constantly becoming cheaper.
5. They are very easy to connect and you can use simple power supplies to power them, no need to look for expensive drivers. You can use old adapters.

As an experiment, I made several lamps from ribbons and strips and grew seedlings of peppers and flowers under them. Tomatoes have only been shining for a couple of weeks. And the results surprised me so much that I changed my unscientific attitude towards the “correct” LEDs.
In the photo: the lamps are placed where it is possible to “stick” a seedling box, even on a shelf in a kitchen cabinet.
I was attracted by the simplicity and versatility of using white LEDs in everyday life. I wanted to illuminate the premises at the dacha in the summer, but I needed to illuminate the seedlings in the winter
I came to the following conclusions:

• Seedlings can be grown under white LEDs in the form of strips, strips and modules.
• In this case it will be necessary to increase total power lamp to compensate for the insufficient light output of whites in peak areas of photosynthesis.

This graph is an attempt to graphically demonstrate the inconsistency of white LEDs for their “plant” purpose.

To make it clearer what we’re talking about, let’s consider the spectral characteristics of white LEDs. Since they are made for lighting, they try to bring their spectrum in every possible way closer to white light, incandescent lamps and lamps familiar to people daylight. White LEDs allow you to make this choice in wide range colors from "warm white" incandescent to "cool" fluorescent white.
Main characteristic white LED is Colorful temperature radiation. From it you can understand what the light is like “by eye”. It is indicated in degrees Kelvin. The warmest (almost yellow like DNAT) light starts from 2700K, the coldest (blue-white, like DRL) - 6500 - 13000 K.

Then, to increase the proportion of blue, I supplemented the lamp with a strip of blue LEDs 14 W/m (because I had it). And to be objective, I didn’t notice any particular need for adding blue, perhaps because it’s not in the plant spectrum. You need to look at your first results.
I even dare to think that such a white ribbon gives quite a lot of blue - the growers did not “lose weight”. There is much more blue in cool white tape. Tried to match the tapes different manufacturers, but it didn’t work out. But then I came across a Korean tape with a 10,000K certificate. And 13000K white LEDs provided quite tolerable normal height seedlings of peppers and flowers. The tomatoes were just not very happy. I assume that when tomatoes and peppers reach the budding phase, the white tape is no longer able to give the required amount of red. There is enough blue in it.
I wanted red LEDs, but didn’t have time to add them - the seedlings had time to grow

to be continued We all know that plants need light to grow properly. Thanks to it, photosynthesis occurs. But few people know what kind of light is needed for their full development. Today's most best option - strips with LEDs. LED strips provide the highest savings, aesthetic pleasure, and excellent quality of light. LED strip is a strip designed for illumination, on which small light bulbs (diodes) are located at an optimal distance from each other. All elements of the tape that are made of metal are insulated, which protects the tape from water ingress. Thanks to certain parameters With LED lighting you can easily control the process of growth, flowering and ripening of fruits. In this way you will ensure the most comfortable and favorable conditions
for the development of your plants. Without a doubt, today LED strips are far from new. However, many people do not know about all the use of diodes not only for lighting, but also for growing plants, seedlings, and flowers. Our online magazine invites you to familiarize yourself with the possibilities of using LED strips. This article will be of interest to greenhouse owners, florists, and home gardening lovers.

Fastening and installation of tape for plant lighting

When installing additional lighting, it is better to choose an LED strip, since this type of lighting most closely imitates natural sunlight.
Installing and assembling the tape in the location of your choice is an easy process. You don't have to drill holes, use nails, screw in screws, etc. At one of the production stages back side LED strip is coated with a special substance - glue. All you need to do is peel it off protective film and attach it to the place. The tape is guaranteed to stick to almost any surface.
If you need, you can easily cut the tape into pieces of the size you need. Thus, you yourself will calculate the amount of light that is necessary for the healthy growth of your plants. For example, a 2 cm LED strip is very convenient for illuminating plants at home. These sizes are especially recommended for use for plants that have just begun to germinate and, accordingly, they need not a large number of Sveta.

Where to apply LED lightening for plants:

1. In greenhouses, winter gardens, greenhouses.
2. To replace outdated lamps of various types.
3. IN closed premises, closets, rooms with little lighting or no windows.
4. As main lighting up to 1.1 m2, taking into account the suspension height from 40 cm to 1.3 m.

Advantages of using LED strip in plant lighting

Compared with classic lamps, LED strips have a number of advantages and benefits that will save you money, time, and will also significantly simplify your work.

• Low power consumption. The indicator is 90 W, which is 5 times less than the consumption of conventional sodium light bulbs;
• LED strips do not heat up, unlike other types of lamps, which heat up from 200 to 600 ºС during operation;
• They have a narrow spectrum of light;
• Duration of illumination. The tapes will provide your plants with continuous illumination (up to 5.5 years);
• Ability to adjust the saturation and spectrum of the backlight. You yourself control the process of the tape;
• Significant savings Money. You don't have to spend money on maintaining the LED strip;
• Mobility and ease of use;
• The composition includes self-functionality modules. Due to this, the tape is quickly installed;
• Compact and small in size;
• Does not require engineering and construction preparation of the location of the LED strip;
• High luminous efficiency;
• Energy efficiency. The efficiency is 96%. This means that all the energy expended is converted into light emitted by the LEDs.
• Environmentally friendly. The tape is absolutely harmless to humans and environment. Contains no mercury or other hazardous substances. There is also no effect of ultraviolet and infrared radiation.

Light spectrum of LED strip and its effect on plants

We all know that natural light has many different rays: red, blue, orange. When creating artificial light, you need to get as close as possible to natural light. Many modern technologies developments in the field of lighting have allowed LED strip to become the most suitable option. And here's why: during plant photosynthesis, not the entire spectrum of light is active, but only waves with a length of 380–710 nm. All rays are responsible for separate process in the life of plants, accordingly, the intensity of their absorption is different. So red ones are needed for the accumulation of carbohydrates; but the blue ones act to form amino acids, which promotes cell division.
Note that a specific type of plant requires an individual set of light rays. If you choose them correctly, you are guaranteed to get not only growth, but also excellent flowering and fruit ripening. At correct selection Only LED strip can absolutely replace sunlight.

Types of LED strip lighting

• constant lighting;
• periodic lighting;
• cyclical;
• short-term and intermediate illumination.

You can build any lighting design using modern LED strips for plants - you do not need to disassemble the strip every time if one bulb burns out. The beauty of tape light is for look and enjoyment and practical useful application for plants. LED strip for plants - 2 in 1 option. Such strips are a universal modern light source for plants and elements landscape design.

Just recently we reviewed the article,. There we talked in detail about what kind of lamps should be used, how much light plants need, and much more. However, we often hear from our subscribers the question whether it is possible to use LED strip to illuminate plants. Therefore, we decided to give a detailed answer that will help get rid of all the exciting questions.

In fact, using LED strip for plants is perfect solution. Because LED light effectively stimulates the growth and development of seedlings. Accordingly, you can use them in your greenhouses.

There are several reasons why you can use tape to illuminate plants:

1. She doesn't waste a lot of energy. Accordingly, you can save money.
2. Installation is quite simple.
3. You can easily choose the optimal lighting for yourself.
4. And the main advantage of the tape is that it matches the spectrum of its radiation for plants.

However, there are also disadvantages, the main ones being:

• The cost of LED strips is quite high; you will also have to buy power supplies.
• For plants, it is necessary to use tapes with a high degree of moisture protection. Of course, you can, but not all people choose this option for themselves.

How to properly install plant lighting tape

In fact, there is nothing complicated in such a connection, you just need to be careful, then you can do everything without much effort.

Remember! Best color for plants – red.

So, you must choose the brightness of the tape and the appropriate light spectrum yourself. You can read information about this at the beginning of the article. This is what the influence of the LED strip wave on plant development looks like:

As you may have noticed, you can use LED strip to illuminate plants. The main thing is to install it correctly and calculate the lighting. Then you will be able to achieve excellent yields and save your money.