One of the most important things to consider when choosing the best lights to use for planting microgreens is the type of plant you have. There are three main sub-species of plants that can be used for growing microgreens and these are turfgrasses, spireas and turf crowns. If your microgreens are not turfgrasses, spireas or crowns, your lighting should also be limited to these three plants because the roots of these three plants will need specific amount of light. The other two sub-species mentioned are very suitable for growing microgreens in general but turfgrasses are still highly recommended. There are many reasons for this and they include the following.
Microgreens are typically found in areas with cool weather. During the summer, microgreens will grow at a high rate due to their high photosensitivity. Microgreens also love high intensity light. This means that during the day, the best time to plant them is either late morning or early evening just before setting up to go to sleep.
Microgreens also prefer direct lighting. The good news is that direct lighting can also help them grow fast. However, direct lighting can cause stress and injury. In this case, it is advised to use indirect lighting. The type of lighting you use will greatly affect the growth of the microgreens you are going to grow.
Microgreens are sensitive to blue light so try to avoid hanging string lights, fluorescent lighting, low intensity bulbs and metal halide. Incandescent light is also not recommended for growing microgreens because it does not provide proper nutrients needed by the plant. It is recommended to use fluorescent lights because they provide sufficient light intensity but provide good quality nutrients.
When it comes to lighting, the more the light the better for your microgreens. There are two types of lighting used for microgreens; low-voltage lighting and high-voltage lighting. If you choose to grow your micro greens indoors then make sure you apply an adequate amount of growing medium such as vermiculite, perlite, cork and coco fiber. During the night, it is recommended to use metal halide bulbs. Metal halide bulbs put out yellow or orange light that is ideal for growing microgreens. It also has the best color intensity.
During the day, you can use high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs to provide sufficient light and heat for your plants. However, HID lighting can be quite costly. Low-voltage lights can also be used but HID is preferred because it produces minimal heat. Choose a good growing medium and light source that provide good quality heat. It is also advised to place your growing tray underneath a window so that you can control the amount of light entering the plant’s canopy.
Another important tip when growing micro greens like lettuce is to give them enough space to grow well. If you provide them too much space then they might get root-bound or die. You should also make sure that the soil you are using for your microgreens is rich with nutrients. Make sure that the pH level of the soil is close to 7.
Finally, don’t forget to water your microgreens well especially during their growing season. Microgreens don’t like standing water so you should avoid using pots with drainage holes. It is best to dig a deep hole with a mesh screen and pour in enough water. This will help keep roots and microgreens from drying out. Your plants will grow better if you remember these basic growing tips. Good luck and have fun growing these great plants.
When it comes to choosing the best lights to use for microgreens, the answer depends on what you are trying to achieve with this greenery. If you just want a small growing space for an indoor plant then LED lights will be the best option. But if you want to use this greenery for an outdoor area, then a higher quality light is necessary. The best lights to use for microgreens are those that produce a greater amount of light. If you want full coverage then use HPS, but if you only want to provide some light, then use incandescent lights.
Indoor growing is easier than outdoor growing because you can use artificial lights that are specially designed for the purpose. Outdoor plants need natural light so you should avoid using artificial lights when growing them. However, if you are growing plants indoors and you can’t do without artificial lights then there are options available for you. You can use fluorescent lights or fluorescent tubes to grow your microgreens. When it comes to choosing the best lights to use for microgreens, you must consider the plant you want to grow.
Certain species of plants are sensitive to direct light. The best lights to use for microgreens are those that produce a little bit of indirect light. This type of light allows the plant to grow healthily.