Greenhouse lighting led. Infrared heaters for greenhouses: pros and cons Ultraviolet lamp for heating greenhouses

Today, many Russians who have household plots or summer cottages are thinking about building greenhouses. This decision allows you to diversify the diet - it's nice to see fresh vegetables and herbs on your table throughout the year, and also significantly support the family budget in our difficult time.

So, let's assume that your greenhouse is already ready: the foundation has been built, the frame has been erected, there is glazing (cellular polycarbonate or film), the soil has been covered, the beds have been created. Irrigation and heating issues are well thought out. It would seem that everything is taken into account. However, this is not quite true. Have you thought about lighting? And is it necessary? After all, during the day there is enough natural light, and at night the plants need to rest. Why plants need additional lighting and what it should be, what lamps for heating a greenhouse exist today, we will try to tell in this article.

For normal development and intensive growth, plants require a large amount of energy. They get it from light rays: this is the sun in nature, and in greenhouse cultivation - special lamps.

What should be the light in the greenhouse?

Undoubtedly, solar lighting is most useful for crops, so it is necessary to use it as much as possible. However, the duration (in autumn, winter and spring) does not allow to grow crops fully - after all, plants need solar energy for at least ten to twelve hours a day. In any season (except summer) you will need to use lamps to illuminate greenhouses.

To create comfortable conditions for the growth of crops, simple rules should be followed.

1. Artificial greenhouse lighting (as, indeed, any other) should not completely replace sunlight. It should serve only to extend the daylight hours. Therefore, the greenhouse lamp must be mounted in such a way that it does not restrict the penetration of sunlight.
2. In a greenhouse, lighting can be intense for up to 16 hours a day (this depends on the crop being grown).
3. Lighting of plants should not be throughout the day: instead of growing crops, you will get the opposite result - weakening and depletion of sprouts.
4. Plants need rest and darkness for 6 hours a day.

What kind of light do plants need?

All crops can be divided according to the principle of photoperiod. This means that each crop requires a specific length of daylight hours to produce fruits. According to this principle, plants can be divided into:

• short-day cultures - they require less than twelve hours (of light) per day;
• long day - plants need more than twelve hours of light.

In general, crops grown for flowers and fruits require more light than those grown for leaves and stems. This must be taken into account when deciding which greenhouse lamp you need. Today, the distribution network presents a huge selection of lighting fixtures for greenhouses. They differ in energy saving, the spectrum of emitted light, cost and some other parameters.

What to look for when choosing lamps?

First of all, you should ask the manufacturer of the lamp. Well-known brands guarantee quality, after-sales service (which is sometimes expensive). Chinese lamps are attractive mainly for their low price, but, unfortunately, you will not receive any guarantees or service.

Lamp power (W)

This indicator indicates how much energy a lamp for a greenhouse spends per hour of operation.

Radiated energy

light spectrum

It should be recognized that today a lamp for a greenhouse has not yet been created, which is capable of 100% transmitting the spectrum of the sun's rays. Therefore, experienced owners often combine lamps to achieve the best result. Biologists have been able to establish that different light spectrums have different effects on grown crops.

For example, violet and blue rays accelerate photosynthesis - the plant strengthens and grows faster. Yellow and green rays slightly inhibit photosynthesis. In this case, the stems of plants are stretched in height and become thinner. Orange and red rays are the best energy for fruiting and flowering plants, but you need to know that if they are overabundant, the plant may even die. Resistance to cold is increased by ultraviolet rays, they also form vitamins in the fruits and leaves of plants.

Types of lamps for greenhouses

And now we will introduce you to and you will determine which greenhouse lamp you need. We hope that the information received will help you make the right choice.

Fluorescent lamps

This type of lamp is most often used in small greenhouses or greenhouses. They are universal both in cost and in application - they can suit many. The ideal quality of light can be achieved by combining warm white light bulbs with cool white light.

Such a lamp for a greenhouse can work for about 2000 hours. Often, for a complex effect on plants, an additional one is installed that prevents the development of harmful bacteria on plant leaves and in the soil. But it should be recognized that for large greenhouses it is better to choose a different type of lighting, since too much fluorescent will be required.

Advantages

1. First of all - the efficiency of the device. Almost full spectrum light emission. Therefore, they can be used at every stage of crop development - from growing seedlings to full ripening of the crop.
2. Affordable price.
3. High brightness.
4. Such lamps do not heat up, therefore, do not disturb the microclimate of the greenhouse.
5. Do not require special technical skills for installation.

Flaws

1. A fluorescent lamp for a greenhouse is too large and can block access to natural sunlight during the daytime.
2. Has low light output.
3. Responds to changes in external temperature - for its normal operation, a temperature of +25 degrees is required. When it is lowered, the lamp may simply go out.
4. Does not withstand high humidity (no more than 70%).

The lamps are mounted above the plants in a horizontal position, fixed in a rectangular metal fitting. They are placed at a height of up to fifty centimeters for light-loving plants, and at a height of fifty centimeters and above - for plants that prefer not too bright lighting.

mercury lamps

For growing plants in greenhouses and greenhouses, mercury lamps are produced - DRLF, which promote active photosynthesis of plants. Their emission spectrum is close to red, so they are best used during fruit ripening.

Nevertheless, you should know that such devices have more disadvantages than advantages. These should include:

• Danger in operation. By breaking such a lamp, you will not be able to collect mercury balls. In this case, it is necessary to change the soil and destroy all plants.
• Such a lamp cannot be thrown away at the end of its useful life. There is a special disposal method for this.
• Differs in too intense ultraviolet radiation.

High pressure sodium lamps for greenhouses

They are classified as emitting red and orange parts of the spectrum. Experts suggest that the blue part of the spectrum of culture will be received from natural daylight.

Advantages

• The main argument in favor of such lamps can be considered their efficiency. Such devices consume a small amount of electricity and at the same time are cheaper than analogues in terms of efficiency, for example, LED lamps. This is very important if you need to light a large greenhouse.
• In addition, sodium lamps for greenhouses operate up to twenty thousand hours.
• Light output is much higher than that of fluorescent lamps.

Flaws

• Sodium lamps for greenhouses produce a lot of heat. This can be considered both an advantage and a disadvantage of the device. On the one hand, such lamps for a greenhouse in winter are quite effective. They can become an additional source of heating. But in spring, autumn, and, of course, in summer, such heating can harm the plants, and the owner will have to constantly monitor the temperature in the greenhouse.
• Such lamps adversely affect the development of young plants - the red part of their spectrum makes the seedlings stretch, the stems become thin.
• Sodium lamps can attract harmful insects.
• Inside these lamps is a mixture of mercury and sodium. Therefore (like mercury lamps) they are not safe to use.
• Sodium lamps cannot be connected if the mains voltage fluctuation is more than 5%.

LED lamps for greenhouses

They are often referred to as LED lamps. Despite the fact that they are quite expensive, this type of lighting is becoming increasingly popular. By making a combination of such lamps, you can achieve light with the desired spectral composition - use individual lighting for any variety of plants. Greenhouse lighting with LED lamps allows you to adjust the intensity of light depending on the height of the devices and their number. For example, during the period of plant growth, you can give them more light with a blue spectrum, while ripening fruits - with red and orange.

Advantages

1. Economy of electricity consumption.
2. Work at very low voltage.
3. Long service life (up to 100 thousand hours).
4. Do not heat up - the microclimate of the greenhouse is not disturbed.
5. The possibility of getting burns by plants is excluded, even in the case of the closest possible distance to them.
6. LEDs are resistant to moisture, temperature changes and mechanical damage.

Flaws

1. There is only one drawback of such lamps - the high cost.

infrared lamps

This lamp is perfect for winter. It must be said that today more and more greenhouse owners prefer new infrared systems. These systems are efficient and economical, able to create conditions in the greenhouse that are as close to natural as possible.

Advantages

• for a greenhouse, the plants themselves and the soil warm up well.
• The air temperature rises from the energy given off by the walls of the greenhouse and the soil. This is the main difference between IR systems and electric and convective methods, in which the air (heated) rushes up, while the plants and soil remain cool.
• Such heaters, if desired, can be equipped with thermostats, which at a certain moment stop the heat supply and resume heating when the temperature drops.
• Warm up the air quickly. IR radiation does not pose a danger to either humans or plants.
• They don't dry the air.
• The system is virtually silent.

As you can see, today there are many lamps for greenhouses. After reviewing their shortcomings and advantages, each owner will be able to choose a suitable lighting source for his greenhouse.

Good heating and lighting in a greenhouse are important not only in spring and autumn. In winter, the viability of plants and their future productivity depend on the correct microclimate inside. To organize the right place for planting any flower or shrub, you need to know the needs of plants, the climatic features of the region and take them into account when building a greenhouse.

Features and types of lighting in greenhouses

Plants need light all the time, so in most cases they make it transparent.

The organization of artificial or natural lighting requires compliance with certain requirements.

Daylight

Plants in a year-round greenhouse can overheat or suffer from a lack of sunlight. Therefore, it is important to place the building on the site so that the roof slopes are directed to the north and south. This arrangement has its advantages: the cold season, the plants will still receive a lot of sunlight. The morning rays will warm the southern side of the greenhouse, and by the evening the northern side will also receive its light. In the spring, they will get maximum sun.

Calculate the correct slope angle for a particular building, so you can save on additional lighting.

Greenhouse owners should remember that in summer the sunny side must be shaded, for example, with special screens, painted with thick paper or paint applied to glass.

Natural lighting is enough for a spring greenhouse, the rest will need additional lamps

artificial lighting

Its sources are used in winter and autumn, when plants do not receive sunlight in the required amount. Heat-loving plants from southern latitudes, depending on the climatic conditions of your region, will need them throughout the year.

Sources of artificial lighting include:

• Incandescent lamps for lighting. Not suitable for greenhouses. They have a low efficiency and a light spectrum that is “unpleasant” for plants, in which there are too many red, orange and infrared rays suitable for reading. Flowers are contraindicated. You can use incandescent lamps only at the stage of germination of certain types of greens: green onions, parsley, dill, sorrel.
• Fluorescent lamps. Suitable for greenhouse lighting due to a good spectrum, they are not so expensive. However, they require constant monitoring and proper installation due to low light output. If the mains voltage drops, the lamps will not turn on.
• High pressure mercury lamps. Some vendors position this type of lamp as specifically designed for greenhouse lighting, but this is a controversial claim. Mercury lamps illuminate the room well, they are cheaper than sodium lamps. During installation, you can do without calling a specialist. But, if such a lamp accidentally breaks in a greenhouse, the plants will have to be thrown away. In addition, intense ultraviolet radiation from such a source inhibits plant growth.
• High pressure sodium lamps. Suitable for greenhouse lighting, but require complex installation, additional starting equipment and constant monitoring of their work. At the same time, they are economical and well illuminate even a large area. If the greenhouse will be on the site permanently, then you can spend money on equipment for such lamps and save on electricity consumption in the future.
• Metal halide lamps. Expensive and burn out quickly, but ideal for lighting greenhouses and greenhouses.
• LED lamp. Economical and great for artificial plant lighting. Based on the needs of crops, you can choose one of the light options: blue, red, combined.

When choosing artificial lighting, you should first of all rely on the size of the greenhouse and the attitude of the planted plants to the light. If the area is small and the plants are not photophilous, then you can choose any option, there will still be benefits. For large areas and exotic plants, LED lamps, as well as sodium and fluorescent lamps, are suitable.

But even the best lamps will not give the flowers and other greens the necessary heat, so you should take care of heating in the greenhouse before the onset of cold weather.

Heating in a greenhouse: correct and inexpensive

In the winter greenhouse, you need to create a comfortable microclimate so that the plants do not slow down the vegetative processes. The choice of ideal heating depends on the crop varieties, the climatic conditions of the region, the financial capabilities of the owner, the location of the building and its shape.

The cost of heating a greenhouse depends on its shape and area.

There are several options for heating a greenhouse, each of them has certain advantages and disadvantages. Let's consider some of them.

Electric heating

The most popular type of heating, which is used in greenhouses throughout Russia. It can be installed in a greenhouse of any size. The choice depends on the ease of installation, the cost of maintenance and the type of device providing electrical heating. For example:

• • Heat guns. They create a constant flow of air at any desired temperature and can save the crop even in the most severe frosts. They are installed at the entrance to the greenhouse and at the far wall. This is enough to heat the soil and plants.

Advantages: ease of installation, the ability to use at any time of the year.

Flaws: a complex heating control system, the lack of the possibility of self-heating of the greenhouse for several days. Such guns cannot be kept on all the time, it is expensive and unsafe for plants.

• • heaters. Ribbed heaters familiar to everyone are installed in a greenhouse and connected to a common network, due to which the necessary heat is created inside. The temperature on such a device can be adjusted manually.

Advantages: ease of installation and maintenance, fire safety, availability of inexpensive models in stock.

Flaws: the device dries the air and requires additional control over the level of heating when the temperature rises outside.

• • Convectors. Usually they are connected into a common system and placed around the perimeter of the greenhouse. Fans can be used to evenly distribute heat over the building area.

Advantages: easy installation and maintenance, low cost.

Flaws: the danger of overheating and overdrying of plantings, constant monitoring of the temperature level is necessary.

• • Heating mats. This infrared heating has a positive effect on plants. Mats are placed in different places of the greenhouse, in the ground, at a depth of at least 40 centimeters. A metal mesh must be placed on top so that the earth does not spoil the equipment.

Advantages: low cost of energy and consumables, the possibility of heating large areas, it is not necessary to constantly monitor the temperature level. In addition, when installing heating mats, there is no need to register such heating with the regulatory authorities.

Flaws: complex installation, mandatory calculations. Involvement of third-party employees to work with electricity, conduct it to the greenhouse, and then install heaters.

air heating

Professional heating systems for greenhouses, which are installed by specialists. The heating system distributes warm air evenly throughout the greenhouse through a special sleeve, which is laid around the room.

Advantages: the correct location of the heating element for uniform heating of plants over the entire area of ​​the greenhouse. Air enters from above from its central part and does not harm the root system of plants.

Flaws: affordable price, the impossibility of self-repair or replacement of parts of the heating system.

Gas heating

This type of heating is not used very often. There are two options for gas heating. In the first case, gas cylinders are installed directly in the greenhouse and connected to the burners. In the second, a gas pipe is led into the greenhouse. However, in both cases, there is a risk of gas leakage and explosion.

Advantages: low cost of heating, the ability to purchase and install heating yourself, simple maintenance.

Flaws: unsafe design, the need for constant monitoring. Carrying out gas heating in the greenhouse requires the permission of the regulatory authorities.

Stove heating

This type is suitable for places where there is no gas, and supplying electricity to the greenhouse is problematic. Solid fuel boilers are placed in several places in greenhouses, they are melted to warm up once a day or every day if there are severe frosts outside. It is ideal to accompany stove heating with heat-reflecting screens. In this case, even a large area of ​​the greenhouse can be heated with one boiler.

Advantages: simple installation, inexpensive fuel.

Flaws: constant control over the operation of the boiler, the absence of self-heating.

Heating of the greenhouse can be arranged independently

Alternatives

There is another option that summer residents use. With the help of organic waste (litter, compost, other fertilizers), bioheating is organized in greenhouses. Heat is released during the decomposition of organic matter in the ground, at the same time the soil is filled with useful substances. However, it is impossible to calculate the amount of heat, and the duration of the operation of a natural “heater” cannot be controlled.

How to choose heating and lighting for a greenhouse?

It is impossible to create a heating system and artificial light that would suit all greenhouses without exception. The location of heaters and light zones depends only on the area of ​​the greenhouse and the location of the plants in it. Before you start building a greenhouse, think about the general type of seating, the location of the heaters and what they will be like.

Do not forget to take into account the characteristics of cultures. For most vegetables, berries and herbs, any small heater is enough to save plants and soil from freezing. For flowers and exotics, it will be necessary to determine the heat points and form a pool of the most heat-loving plants around it. Artificial light must be installed without fail, if there is a financial opportunity. Flowers from this will grow better and become more vibrant.

An infrared heater is a relatively young representative of climate equipment. This useful device in record time has become popular and in demand. It is actively used for rapid local heating of premises for various purposes - apartments, private houses, offices, garages, car washes, construction sites. It is not surprising that IR devices have attracted the attention of plant growers with the possibility of creating optimal conditions for the life of green pets grown in greenhouses and greenhouse pavilions with their help.

Peculiarities

Our planet has its own heater - the Sun. Due to the unimpeded passage of the thermal energy radiated by it through the air shell of the Earth, its surface is warmed, thereby supporting the life of all things. Infrared heating works on the same principle: by analogy with the sun's rays, infrared devices for greenhouses share their heat directly with surrounding objects. A distinctive feature of IR heaters is that heat is transferred not into the air, but onto the ground. This method of heating ensures optimal distribution of thermal energy throughout the greenhouse pavilion.

Despite its name, there is nothing complicated in the device of an infrared device. The outer side is equipped with aluminum radiant panels protected by a steel case with a heat-resistant coating. The filling consists of a heating element and a protective earth wire. The principle of operation of infrared equipment is also simple and clear: the heating element transfers heat to plates that emit infrared waves. This energy is then absorbed by the surfaces of surrounding objects and things that are within the radiation radius of the device.

Pros and cons

Greenhouse infrared heating has many advantages.

• Directionally heats and evenly heats a specific area of ​​the room.
• Fast warm-up time and heat distribution, which is already felt at the moment the device is turned on.
• Economical heating provides a combination of high efficiency and low heat loss devices. Saving electricity is about 35-70%.
• Silently works.
• Versatility of use - IR equipment can be used in any place, a variety of mounting methods.
• When heated, the combustion of oxygen or the formation of a dust "storm" is excluded. During operation, the dust will circulate less in the interior of the building and settle on the landings.

• Since heating with an infrared device eliminates the problem of dry air or its burning, stable humidity will be maintained in the greenhouse - this is one of the integral components of a healthy microclimate for the full growth of plants.
• Heat prevents the development of mold fungi and the formation of a favorable environment for the reproduction of garden pests. Many of them are carriers of mosaic, late blight and other infections.
• The presence of temperature sensors provides several significant advantages. For example, one corner of the greenhouse can be occupied by heat-loving exotics, and the other by crops that need coolness.
• Climate equipment is constantly being improved. In the latest models, the flat screen has changed to a spherical one. In this case, the streams of light have a larger scattering angle - 120 °, this contributes to a uniform distribution of heat, which is beneficial for plants.

• Durability and trouble-free operation around the clock. The design of the heaters eliminates moving parts, air filters and other elements that require periodic replacement or repair.
• The compact dimensions of the devices, so they are hassle-free in transportation.
• Fire safety equipment.
• The possibility of self-assembly without the involvement of masters from outside.

Infrared heaters for greenhouses have some disadvantages.

• With the economical use of equipment, the organization of infrared heating itself is quite expensive.
• The market is rife with fakes of reputable brands. The gullible buyer is still tempted by attractive low prices and promises that the device performs “just as good” as the original.
• The need to accurately calculate the number of IR devices specifically for a particular room. It is also important to determine which models are suitable for specific needs.

Kinds

When choosing an IR heater, several criteria are taken into account.

Energy source

Existing types of "infrared" can be:

• electric;
• gas (halogen);
• diesel.

Heating element type

Electric heaters are equipped with the following types of heating elements.

• ceramic- they have increased strength, heating for them is a matter of minutes, they cool down also quickly;
• heating elements– the advantages of tubular electric heaters are reliability and stable maintenance of the set temperature;
• Carbon– the design of such a heater is represented by vacuum tubes with carbon-hydrogen fiber filler.

The form

In appearance, heaters can be infrared lamps of various formats, film panels or tapes. Compared to lamps, films or tapes provide the greatest energy savings and warm the soil more evenly.

Mounting method

Before buying a “personal sun”, you should immediately decide on the placement of the device.

Depending on the method of fastening, the equipment can be:

• mobile;
• stationary.

There are no questions regarding the first one - this is a portable technique that is moved to the right place by means of wheels or special legs.

You can experiment with the installation of stationary models as much as you like, since they are available in several types:

• ceiling;
• wall;
• plinth;
• suspended.

Suspended models differ from ceiling models in the principle of fastening. Suspension-type heaters are built into a suspended ceiling structure, which is pre-designed for the placement of appliances. To fix suspension devices, special brackets and anchor bolts are used in increments of 5 to 7 cm.

The best place to place baseboard heaters is under a window, which helps to realize their full potential by blocking the cold and drafts coming from outside.

Heating temperature

IR equipment differs in the degree of heating of the device itself.

Devices can be:

• low temperature - up to 600°C;
• medium temperature - from 600 to 1000 ° C;
• high temperature - more than 1000 ° C.

Appliances with medium or high temperatures are good in spacious and high greenhouse pavilions. In these cases, warm air can be guaranteed to reach the ground, and not just circulate in the middle.

Radiation range

In accordance with this parameter, IR equipment can be:

• longwave;
• medium wave;
• shortwave.

According to Wien's law, there is a direct relationship between the wavelength and the temperature of the surface on which the radiation falls. Under high-temperature radiation, the wavelength increases, but at the same time they become hard and dangerous.

Light devices in the form of lamps with a maximum incandescent temperature of 600 ° C are good for heating large industrial greenhouses. Long-wave equipment eliminates strong heating. It is usually used in small greenhouses at their summer cottage.

IR heaters have additional options.

• In many models of infrared equipment, a thermostat (thermostat) is provided, which is responsible for maintaining the set temperature.
• Any thermal heater must be equipped with a thermal switch that reacts to overloads and automatically turns off the device, preventing it from overheating.
• To ensure comprehensive safety, infrared technology is also equipped with insulators that prevent contact between the housing and the heating element.
• Particularly advanced models have a light indication that informs the user about a problem that has arisen so that he can quickly navigate and take measures to eliminate it.

• Spontaneous shutdown of floor models occurs when tipping over, which simultaneously prevents breakage and reduces the risk of ignition to zero.
• The presence of the Antifrost system is designed to protect the heater from the formation of frost. Even if the heater is operated in harsh Russian winters, you don't have to worry about the operability of the IR equipment.
• Many models of infrared heaters have a timer, which makes operation much more comfortable. Thanks to the ability to set the desired on and off times, you can reduce fuel costs.

How to place?

For the correct location of heaters in the greenhouse, one should proceed from the performance of the equipment and the range of scattering of IR rays.

The organization of uniform heating with IR devices implies compliance with several conditions.

• A distance of at least a meter must be maintained between the heater and landings. When germinating seedlings, the IR lamp is raised to the indicated height, preferably by means of a ceiling mount.
• As the seedlings grow, the distance is increased by moving the lamp up. You can simplify the task by using less powerful lightweight structures on suspensions.
• With a greater distance from the heater to the ground, the ground is cooler, however, the device can heat a large area with plantings.

Therefore, when planning plantings, you need to be guided by the needs of plants, and only then think about how to save energy.

• In the greenhouse, heaters must be installed at least half a meter apart. If the area of ​​the greenhouse pavilion is 6 m, then a couple of devices should be enough. In a large greenhouse, it is most reasonable to arrange the heaters in a checkerboard pattern to prevent the formation of inaccessible areas for heating.
• Heater color. Heating of greenhouse pavilions in winter with ceiling-type gas infrared heaters showed the following. With light emitters, where the bulb is heated above 600°C, it is most practical to heat large rooms, using appliances as the main sources of heating. With the help of dark emitters, it is optimal to heat winter greenhouses.

To find out which equipment is better, you should familiarize yourself with the conditional classification of climate equipment of this type.

• Scope of application. Installations are for industrial purposes and for domestic needs. The last to heat small buildings. Although some summer residents practice the use of factory units in personal plots. Most of these devices emit short waves, which contribute to the enhanced development and growth of plantings, but negatively affects the well-being of a person.
• Fuel. In cases of greenhouse business, the purchase of electric radiators is an unprofitable investment, since the energy consumption is too high. A rational solution is the heating of large pavilions with gas infrared equipment.

• fixation method. IR equipment, which is used to heat industrial greenhouses, is mounted to the ceiling, and for household models, tripods are provided or attached to walls.
• Productive capacity. Before purchasing installations, you need to decide on the right amount of IR equipment. One industrial installation is capable of heating a maximum of 100 m². Household infrared panels with relatively low power can heat the ground up to 20 m².

Lighting for greenhouses is especially important in spring and autumn, when daylight hours are noticeably reduced. In addition, light for greenhouses is necessary in winter for the proper development and full growth of plants. The duration of the light period should not be less than 12 hours, preferably 16, the required period of time for rest is 6 hours.

In the article we will tell you in detail what kind of lighting should be, which lamps are better to choose. Let us dwell on the question of how to calculate lighting in a greenhouse. We will reveal the secrets of how to properly organize the light in the winter.

What lighting should be in the greenhouse

Plants perceive light differently than the human eye, they need the red segment of the spectrum for flowering, fruit development, roots, wavelengths from 600 to 700 nanometers. The blue area with a wavelength in the range of 400-500 nm promotes vegetative growth. Plants for development and maturation need sunlight, therefore, such a spectrum should be created in the greenhouse.

Beneficial spectrum for a bountiful harvest

Monochrome artificial lighting of greenhouses creates stressful conditions for growing greenhouse crops: vegetables, fruits change their taste, lose many useful properties, and sometimes can be unsuitable for food. Flowers grow faster, monochrome contributes to a brighter, more saturated color. One of the important conditions for a good harvest is to provide full sunlight in the greenhouse:

• Violet, blue rays favorably affect photosynthesis, plants grow stronger, grow rapidly.
• Yellow, green segment - inhibit photosynthesis, plants unnaturally stretch, get sick.
• Orange-red - provides favorable conditions for flowering, fruit development, but an excess of rays leads to the death of the crop.
• Ultraviolet creates conditions conducive to the accumulation of vitamins, increases resistance to cold.

We offer a video that details how color affects the growth and development of plants.

Lamp selection

In the cold season, the length of daylight hours is insufficient for the full development of plants, so additional lighting is needed in the greenhouse in winter. Today the market is not able to offer a universal solution. To create comfortable conditions in the greenhouse, several types of lamps should be selected at once. A balanced system will allow you to grow a bountiful harvest all year round.

Specialized stores offer a variety of lamps for greenhouses, how to choose the right one and not get lost in this variety if marketers praise products in every way? To do this, you should study the main characteristics of the lamps.

How to make lighting in a greenhouse, scheme for Dnat lamps

incandescent lamp

Incandescent lamps perfectly illuminate the greenhouse, serve as a slight heating for the air. But not economically profitable: too much energy consumption. The spectrum of incandescent lamps is 600 nm, which does not contribute to the normal development of plants at all. If such lighting is abused, plants get burned, as an excess of orange, infrared, red rays is formed. The stems are unnaturally stretched, the leaves are deformed.

Fluorescent lamps

Fluorescent lamps have a favorable spectrum for growing plants. They are durable, relatively inexpensive, the heat transfer of such lamps is very low. The principle of operation is identical to light-saving ones, but the latter are able to illuminate only a small area.

Install fluorescent lamps in special metal boxes, less often vertically in plastic lighting fixtures.

UV lamps for greenhouses

Modern ultraviolet lamps work on the principle of fluorescent lamps: UV radiation is generated in the bulb due to the interaction of an electromagnetic discharge and mercury. A gas discharge tube is made from uviol or quartz glass, which has the properties to transmit UV rays. Uviols are safer, as they reduce the level of ozone formation. By adding different components in the production of glass, manufacturers create lamps that operate in a strictly specified range, you can choose a favorable spectrum of lighting.

Polycarbonate greenhouse lighting with UV lamps

mercury lamps

DRL high pressure mercury lamps. They heat up quickly and emit rays from the near ultraviolet spectrum. Such lighting is useful for improving photosynthesis in a very small amount, in combination with sunlight. Recommended for use during fruit ripening. Not safe, operation is possible with a stable voltage, drops cannot be more than 5%.

Use of mercury lamps in the greenhouse

Sodium lamps

Sodium lamps (denas, dnas, dnat) high pressure. Very economical, with high heat output, it is effective to use lamps with a power of more than 400W for greenhouse lighting. Sodium lamps for greenhouses create orange-red monochrome lighting close to that of the sun. Minus the lamps - few blue rays. Manufacturers have finalized the product, now you can buy an improved version of lamps for greenhouses with more intense blue spectrum rays. Specialists have noticed the ability of sodium lamps to attract pests, which is a significant obstacle to their use in the greenhouse.

Pictured is a sodium lamp.

LED lamp

Greenhouse LED lamps individually create monochrome lighting, but a huge range of products allows you to choose a combination of LEDs and create a favorable spectrum individually for each type of plant. LEDs for greenhouses are economical, durable, work properly at low voltage. The intensity of light can be adjusted by their number and placement of lamps at different heights. With the growth of seedlings, it is better to illuminate the greenhouse with blue-spectrum LED lamps; orange and red segments of the rays should be used for fruit ripening.

Professional led lamps for greenhouses - illumination in several spectra

Infrared lamps for greenhouses

Infrared lamps and heaters are used to heat greenhouses. These are energy-saving systems that create favorable conditions for plant growth, similar to natural ones. For more efficient use, devices are equipped with regulators, manual or automatic, so you can fully control the microclimate. If convective heating first warms up the air, then infrared heating affects plants and soil, and then they give off heat to the air.

Calculation of the amount of lighting for greenhouses

If you plan to organize artificial lighting of the greenhouse with your own hands, you will need to consider the following parameters:

• The height of the placement of light sources above the first sheet.
• Type of lamps, their power.
• Which crop should be illuminated, plants of different species require different intensity of the rays.
• total lighting area.
• In what season is additional lighting planned.

The location of lighting fixtures depends on the type and power of the lamps, as well as on the type of crop.

The level of illumination necessary for high-quality cultivation of plants is regulated by agronomic standards, the minimum allowable is 6-7 kLk (kilolux). Based on the standard indicator, the intensity and duration of additional illumination of the greenhouse is calculated. In autumn, spring less, in winter, respectively, a longer period is required.

To achieve a minimum illumination, lamps for greenhouses are suitable, the specific power of which is 50-100 W / m 2. The number of lamps is determined when designing the lighting system based on the calculation for an individual project. You can independently perform calculations on the online calculator. A guaranteed good harvest is obtained with an average illumination level of 10-12 kLux, up to 20 kilolux.

An example of calculating the lighting of a greenhouse

For an approximate calculation, we apply the formula:

F=E x S: Ki, where

F is the required luminous flux;

S is the area;

Ki is a coefficient that determines the use of the flow. For lamps with an external reflector - 0.4, built-in - 0.8.

Let's say you want to light a greenhouse with an area of ​​18 m2, the illumination level is 10,000 lux.

F \u003d 10,000 x 12: 0.4 \u003d 300,000 lumpen.

We look at the types of lamps, for example, take a 250 W (27,000 lumpen) Dnat, this flow can provide: 3,000,000:27,000 = approximately 11-12 lamps.

Next, you should choose the height at which the lamps will be located, here take into account: the brightness level is a value inversely proportional to the square of the distance. To accurately calculate the height of the suspension, you should conduct an experiment, measure the intensity with a luxmeter. Experience suggests:

• To illuminate one plant, you can use a 20-30 W lamp, at a height of 50-300 mm.
• For a group, 50W lamps are better suited, the distance to the top sheet is 400-600 mm, as well as lamps up to 100 W if a large illumination area is required.
• Lamps of 250 W or more are placed at a height of 1000-2000 mm, suitable for large winter greenhouses.

Features of lighting a winter greenhouse

Plants stop growing if they have less than 10 hours of light. Lighting for winter greenhouses is necessary for a duration of 12 to 16 hours, depending on the crop. For a full harvest in winter, plants should be highlighted in 2 ways:

• Light fixtures are used in the daytime for additional illumination.
• Photoperiodic light is illumination at night.

Infrared systems are relevant as heating in winter greenhouses.

Watch a video with detailed explanations on how to choose lamps and organize greenhouse lighting in winter - normative video tips from professionals.

The second part details the role of lighting intensity.

As everyone knows, a polycarbonate greenhouse can withstand simply enormous temperature changes. And unlike its glass or polyethylene "relatives", it retains heat well, thereby protecting plants and greenery from hypothermia. But a caring summer resident, tuned in to a rich harvest, just needs to organize infrared heating for a polycarbonate greenhouse .

Why IR heating? Very simple - it has a lot of advantages over other heating methods.

Basic concepts

Infrared radiation is electromagnetic radiation, practically invisible to the human eye, focused on the thermal spectrum, i.e. such radiation is perceived by people and other living organisms as heat, which is converted from infrared energy into thermal energy.

From the foregoing, it follows that infrared lamps are nothing more than a kind of thermal elements that heat objects by influencing a liquid medium - water. That is, using such lamps in a greenhouse, only plants and other objects containing liquid (a canister of water, etc.) will heat up, while polymer walls, garden tools, and other things will remain cold. So the summer resident will not have to overpay for heating his polymer greenhouse, because the energy consumption will be used exclusively for warming the plants.

Advantages of heating a polycarbonate greenhouse with IR lamps

For a summer cottage, where there is a constant supply of electricity, equipping a greenhouse with infrared lamps is a fairly good heating option, because it has many positive aspects.

1. Profitability.

With a fairly low energy consumption (45-60% less than with conventional heating), infrared lamps are able to heat large areas of beds in a greenhouse with a heat loss of only 7-10%.

1. Productivity.

Summer residents, farmers and specialists note that when using such heating in a polymer building, it increases the yield of vegetable crops by 30–40%, because plants and soil receive almost all the heat “sent” by IR lamps without loss.

1. Zoning.

If the consumer has a desire to grow in his building a variety of varieties and varieties of plants that “love” completely different living conditions to each other, then this will be quite simple to implement. Thanks to the ability to adjust the lamps and organize different temperature zones in the room, the summer resident will be able to grow different types of crops at the same time.

1. Life time.

Such heaters have a fairly long service life - about 10 years, while there is also a warranty period that takes from a year to 5 years - if you wish, you can "buy" additional warranty years for the purchased goods from the seller.

Tip: if the consumer purchases an additional couple of years of warranty, then he is obliged to carefully read the terms of the repair-replacement of the goods - in order to exclude troubles, as well as scan or photocopy the purchase coupon - it is often required in tandem with the warranty.

1. Directed action.

Many consumers have noted that when using IR lamps, the crop ripens much earlier than when using traditional heat sources. In fact, this is due to the directed action of infrared radiation directly on the plants - they heat up, while the air remains cool and comfortable for the growth of garden crops.

1. Ease of installation and adjustment.

When organizing such a heating system, the owner will spend a fairly small amount of time, plus he will be able to either automate the heating or carry it out remotely - if he takes the switch-regulator into the living room.

1. Practicality.

The most important advantage of such lamps is that they both illuminate and heat the greenhouse at the same time, so there is no need to separately conduct light into the building.

You need to know: when growing sun-loving cultivated plants that need the maximum amount of light, you still have to additionally illuminate them through the use of special lamps.

Note: when equipping the greenhouse with infrared lamps, you can also organize heating of the house with these lamps in parallel - this will save a lot of money.

Varieties of IR heating

At first glance, it may seem that this method of heating a polycarbonate greenhouse is only one - it's just hanging the lamps over the rows - and you're done, but for some summer residents this is not enough, because situations are different.

1. Top heating.

This is the standard, most common method of heating, in this case, you just need to hang infrared lamps directly above the rows with "animals". Moreover, it is worth placing these elements directly in the middle of the rows in order to minimize heat loss.

1. Bottom heating.

There are situations when it is important for the owner to warm not the plant itself, but the soil in which it grows, for example, when it is necessary to heat special crops that “live” on the racks. In this case, you can use IR lamps fixed from below - under shelves or racks. For this, it is important for the owner to install the heating elements not on the floor, but on special metal or other hills. After all, do not forget about your own safety and remember that all electrical appliances need to be isolated from moisture.

Tip: there are special IR soil heaters - tape and film models that are perfect for this purpose.

Important installation points

In the manufacture of such a heating system, it is not necessary to hire workers, but some important points and rules must be remembered in order to minimize further breakdowns during operation, as well as extend the life of the devices.

1. First you need to run the cables and connect them to a power source. At the same time, the thickness of the cables should not be small, and the protective insulating layer should be dense and reliable, because they will have to experience constant severe loads, and also be in a humid aggressive environment.
2. Counting the number of heating elements is also very important - it is enough to purchase 4 or 5 lamps for a standard polymer greenhouse. At the same time, both ceiling and soil elements can be used for simultaneous heating from above and below.
3. Hanging lamps should be fixed with 2-3 clamps, and to ensure safe operation, cover the lamp itself with a protective net (if it was not originally provided).
4. When using bottom heating, it is important to remember that infrared energy "works for water" - it warms only liquid media, so the soil must be constantly wet.
5. In order for soil heating to be more efficient, the lamps must be laid on a “cushion”. That is, remove a 40-cm layer of earth, cover it with sand, cover it with polyethylene, or better with foamed polystyrene, then again with a sandy layer, on which IR heaters are laid. For additional protection against mechanical damage, a protective mesh must be laid on the lamps. Everything is covered with previously removed earth - ready.

Among other things, the quality of the IR lamps themselves plays a very important role - they should not be cheap, because a humid microclimate can quickly corrode low-grade material and force the summer resident to buy new lamps.

If you want to build a secure shelter for your vehicle, then you need to know how to build , everything is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance.

Not every owner wants to have a large greenhouse for growing crops, In this article, you can learn about the benefits of polycarbonate mini greenhouses.