Anyone who, at any stage, has had a hand in the creation of a botanical garden or in the cultivation of flowers will have asked him or herself whether artificial light could ever be a complete and suitable replacement for sunlight in the growth of plants.

This is because sunlight, albeit an ecological, free and perfect source of light, is not always available. Seasonal, geographical or logistical factors can often be a reason for resorting to artificial lighting, whether in part or in full.

What exactly is light? It is a form of electromagnetic radiation with oscillating components and wavelengths. The global distribution of all the wavelengths is known as the “spectrum”.

The human eye perceives only a fraction of the spectrum and this visible amount is measured in lumens, a unit of measurement often indicated on light-bulbs used for cultivation.

Plants require light at a wavelength of between 400 and 700 nm for photosynthesis and growth to be successful.

We are referring here to the so-called PAR (Photosynthetic Active Radiation). Around 45% of the overall radiation produced by daylight is between 400 and 700 nm. About 45% of overall radiation is therefore PAR.

For a bulb to efficiently contribute towards the growth of plants, it needs to convert as much of its electrical energy as possible into PAR.

Phytolite’s compact fluorescent bulbs are particularly efficient as they emit 100% PAR light.

Consequently, as mentioned above, the plant can absorb and use each and every lumen produced by the bulb during photosynthesis. Only a small fraction is dispersed as heat.

The bulbs’ low operating temperature means they are extremely safe to use and can be positioned just a few centimeters away from the plants.

Available in different colour temperatures specifically for the flowering and vegetative processes and the full cycle, each bulb has a power supply in its base, eliminating all problems associated with wiring and installation.

The stages of growth normally require two separate bulbs at a temperature of 6400K and 2700K respectively for the vegetative and flowering processes (the temperature is that of colour in the light spectrum). Phytolyte however proposes Agro (2100K), a single bulb that meets all of a plant’s needs during its entire cycle. This is because Agro offers a broad and enriched spectrum of white light.

The Phytolyte range also comprises HPS bulbs at different wattages, MH bulbs, ballasts and neon.