 you will need to reach your target
- What is your photoperiod for your crop?
- You may need day extension (photoperiod) lighting depending on what you are growing and their photoperiod requirements (long day, short day or day neutral plant varieties).
- What is your temperature range for growing your crop? In general, temperature helps drive the plant development rate.
- Are you growing cold tolerant crops like greens or heat loving crops like tomatoes? Figuring out your target temperature for plant growth can help decide what lighting solution works best for your space
- Where are you growing your plants? How far will the lights be to your plants? This information can help decide light distribution and uniformity over the crop
- Are they on benches?
- Are you growing plants on the floor or in hanging baskets?
- Are they being grown in a vertical system?
- What materials are the greenhouse made of? How much light gets emitted and absorbed by the plants?
- How are you watering your plants? The type of lighting you chose will affect your irrigation schedule. In general, plants grown under HPS lamps require higher amounts of water. Using flood tables or drip irrigation can help control watering and prevent water loss.
- Are you injecting CO2?
- Natural winter CO2 levels can drop in the greenhouse. In general, CO2 enrichment will increase the photosynthesis rate in plants and will have a positive effect on quality and yield.
- Are you using energy curtains in the winter to save on heating costs?
- While a good way to save on heating costs, the curtains can decrease the amount of light being transmitted and should be considered when calculating winter DLI and creating a light plan.
- In some cases, lighting may affect nutrient uptake and may lead to deficiencies or excess amounts of certain macro- and micro-nutrients.
- Keeping an eye on pH, EC and getting timely nutrient analysis’ done may be helpful in figuring out a nutrient management program under some artificial lighting
How P.L. Light Systems can support you
We have an experienced team of lighting professionals that can provide light measurements to help understand your greenhouse DLI to make sure your crops are getting the amount of light they require. We can assess your supplemental lighting needs and help determine the best solution for your application though understanding the pros and cons of the different lighting types. For more information contact us or get started with a lighting plan.