LED LIGHTS vs Sunlight … and the winner is…

We all remember learning about photosynthesis when at school. Well … I learnt about the process, but not how to pronounce or spell the word. Simply put, it, photosynthesis, is the process by which plants make their own food, and produce oxygen. To do this, all plants need is sunlight, carbon dioxide and water.

As we know light is made up of different colours, seven colours in fact; red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. These seven colours are the colours of a rainbow which is formed when bright sunlight passes through raindrops.

Artificial light is required when plants are grown indoors or in a closed environment that has no or little natural light. In recent years growers are switching to energy efficient LED lights due to costs and in recent years some are using red and blue LED lights. Two reasons for this are that the energy efficient LED lights reduce the grower’s running costs and increase the plant’s productivity and improve its flavour and nutrition. It is also said that the Plants grown under LED lights have brighter colours, and often different appearances.

The dramatic increase in the use of LED lights has also raised discussions and debates regarding the effect on and the potential health risks to humans. Research on the benefits or otherwise of using LED lights, and the effects on different plants is ongoing in many countries.

But what is known now? It’s a fact that plants can and are grown in a closed controlled environment under blue and red emitting LED lights without the use of hormones and artificial fertilizers. This new high-tech growing method eliminates the need for toxic pesticides. Growers are not exposed to toxic pesticides and there is no more toxins polluting the soil. Plants too are healthier because of the no-toxic farming methods and plants are healthier because they are no longer exposed to the heat of the sun or to the heat generated by the old type of light producing lamps.

Closed controlled growing environments mean less water, upto 80%, less electricity, NO artificial chemicals, NO toxic pesticides, NO pollution, and a reduced carbon footprint. Generally, closed controlled growing environments are set up closer to their customers, eliminating hours and hours of transporting time.

You be the judge.