There is a huge up side to the future of indoor hydroponics lighting.  The technology is improving but it will come at a huge cost to the consumer.  The first lighting technology that will be profiled is the Sulfur Plasma lamp.  This technology, developed by Plasma International, a British/ German company., will not be in stores for 1-2 years and is projected to cost around $3500 per light.  The lamp and magnetron unit is an electrode-less lamp that includes an evacuated quartz bulb.  The lamps produce almost no ultraviolet light and little infrared.  It provides a full and continuous spectrum.  Full spectrum lighting is the is the best type of light for plants being that this is the type of light that they have evolved to exploit.

A study was conducted by Wageningen University using Plasma International’s Sulfur Plasma Lamp for cucumber growth.  They found that cucumbers grew 60% faster then they did under a traditional HPS bulb.  It was also noted that there was an increase in size of branches and leaves.  These lamps can easily cover the same area of a 1000W HPS lamp but because of the reduced heat, it could be placed closer to the plants.  These bulbs are currently available for research purposes only.

Article by, Brett McCormick, co-founder of Good Green Builders.  Good Green Builders is a grow room contractor in Oakland, Ca.  For more information or a free consultation all today, 415-246-8055.

Source: Urbangardenmagazine.com