If you’re in the market for a light system for your indoor gardening project, it would be wise to look into fluorescent grow lights. A few of the advantages of fluorescent grow lights are their low costs, high efficiency, and versatility. At one time, fluorescent lights were rarely used in gardening applications due to their large size and low output, however T5 full spectrum high output bulbs, as well as compact fluorescent technology (CFL) has made fluorescent lighting a great option for gardening.
Fluorescent lights are long lasting, on average their lifespan is around 10-20,000 hours. Low heat output is a great benefit in gardens, because you can lower the light to within a few inches from the plant tops. In fact, it is important to keep the lights no more than 4-6 inches from the plants, because of the lower light intensity of fluorescent lights.
There are three standard sizes, the T5, T8 and T12. T5′s are the latest and highest output of any of them. Three different color spectrums, or color temperatures, are 2700K, 5000K, and 6500K; or warm white, cool white and daylight white. The 2700K is a warmer, orange tinted white light which is excellent for flowering plants. 6500K is a bluish white light, and 5000K is white, which promote overall plant growth are both ideal for seedlings, clones, or vegetating plants.
Fixtures for these lights can be 2 or 4 feet long, and contain 1-8 T5 bulbs. These systems are excellent for low heat, and even light coverage. There are also standard light bulb reflectors, and even specialized CFL reflectors, which can be used for the CFL type bulbs.
Fluorescent grow lights are ideal for things like leafy vegetables, bonsai trees, succulents, orchids, and herbs. You won’t get the yields that are possible with other light systems, but neither will you get the high heat and power consumption. It is important to use a reflector and keep the light close to the plants for best results.