[luxelush]

Hi guys,

This is not what it may appear!

I'm looking for grow-lights for plants: the type used for hydroponics?

The idea is to replace the lights in the hallway of our building with grow-lights, so that we can have big plants in there.

I know very little about using these lights for growing plants and would love any information.

Can I use ordinary bulbs for growing plants?
Can I use the LED lights from Ikea?
Can I use an ordinary yellow fluorescent bulb?
Does a grow light use more energy than normal?

Appreciate any thoughts.

[kombuchakid]

What you are looking for is 'Full Spectrum'
fluorescent tubes.
Check at the Phillips showroom in Hopewell Centre.
Also try B&G [the home improvement store] at Megabox

I have heard of this lighting being used as general lighting because it is supposed to be good for human beans too.

[jayinhongkong]

The conventional high-intensity discharge (HID) lights used for, erm, indoor cultivation are HPS (high-pressure sodium) or MH (metal halide). They both generate a LOT of heat and can lead to an increase in skin cancer risk and eye damage, so most people recommend you use a glass shield between the bulb and your skin to reduce the effects of the radiation they give off.

Ordinary incandescent light bulbs will not be good for plant growth. Fluorescent tubes work, but have to be kept near the top of the plants, particularly for plants with high light requirements.

Compact fluorescent bulbs (fluorescent bulbs that you screw into a regular bulb socket) are good for plant growth and are very efficient, but again, should be kept relatively close to the top of the plants if they have high light requirements.

You can even use hundreds of LEDs to grow plants and that works surprisingly well.

HID and CFL lights are more efficient (in terms of lumens per watt) than regular incandescent bulbs and fluorescents. The amount of juice you'll need will depends on the total wattage of the bulbs you're using. Hope this helps.

Oh, one more thing: a blend of MH and HPS works very well to recreate the natural spectrum of sunlight.

[jayinhongkong]

You can also use a mix of 'warm' and 'cool' fluorescent tubes as they have slightly different light temperatures. Low light varieties will do well in a hallway.

You can get HIDs at lighting stores in Wanchai and Mongkok.

[luxelush]

Wow thanks guys!

That's great detailed information- very useful.

[maxlite]

where can i get the HPS Lamps in hong kong?
I searched like the whole day in Prince Edward Flower market , Mong kok, Jordon searching for it , and the shop keepers didn't have a clue about it.
Please Help me out
Thanks

[jayinhongkong]

I've seen them for sale in Mongkok around Dundas Street. I think I've seen them in Yau Ma Tei too.

[oldboy1]

'big plants' ey

[PDLM]

Say no more, squire. A nod's as good as a wink to a blind bat...

[mike0226]

i was wondering how you guys deal with the hot and humid weather in Hong Kong, since the hps and mh produce quite a bit of heat. Is there a growing season that would be perfect for the use of these lights? Also how do you deal with the humidity, as the plants produce a much better crop when the climate is dry.