Well it is that time of the year again. Outdoor plants are now indoors, orchids need full spectrum high quality lights to bloom and all of us are getting ready for the cold dark winter to come and the depression that follows those dark days and cold nights.

About a year ago I began a new business. It was the Grow and Aquarium Light business and I decided that none of what I had seen was what I personally needed for my indoor plants and my tropical fish. So I decided to build my own and this light now is the base of my eBay business.

As I became more and more involved in selling so many eBay customers I had to learn more about plant and human needs during the dark winters we enjoy here in the North East. I ended up putting up a complete web site with FAQ's and lots of links on this subject matter and decided to answer some questions I get about this new generation of light right here.

Many people ask me questions about the proper way to light their plants and many also ask about the Full Spectrum Lights that help fight Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Light therapy is a popular new way to fight the winter blues. Just 30 minutes in front of a full spectrum and powerful light can actually enable you to concentrate better, feel energized, put a stop to weight gain and fight depression.

You can find more information on SAD at the National Mental Health Associations web site at:

http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/27.cfm

From their web site:

Possible Cause of this Disorder

Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone secreted by the pineal gland in the brain, has been linked to SAD. This hormone, which may cause symptoms of depression, is produced at increased levels in the dark. Therefore, when the days are shorter and darker the production of this hormone increases.

Phototherapy or bright light therapy has been shown to suppress the brain’s secretion of melatonin. Although, there have been no research findings to definitely link this therapy with an antidepressant effect, many people respond to this treatment. The device most often used today is a bank of white fluorescent lights on a metal reflector and shield with a plastic screen. For mild symptoms, spending time outdoors during the day or arranging homes and workplaces to receive more sunlight may be helpful. One study found that an hour’s walk in winter sunlight was as effective as two and a half hours under bright artificial light.

There are a few things to understand before spending money on these lights. You will find a myriad of lights offered. Everything from those hot Halide grow lights (which are hot, dangerous, expensive to purchase and run to the very expensive newer generation Full Spectrum SAD lights. The new SAD and Grow Lights may look like every day compact fluorescent lights, but they are not.

Those new compact fluorescent's are not full spectrum lights and can only output about 3 times the energy drawn to operate the bulb so a 20 watt compact fluorescent might be equal to a standard 60 watt bulb.

The latest technology is here now and the new High Output Fluorex electronic lights can deliver about 8 times the energy used ( 65 Watt Fluorex will deliver a full 500 Watts of light), but the best part is these lights are a full spectrum blue/white light, so you have the equivilent of noon day sunlight indoors.

You no longer need to purchase expensive fixtures that are big, bulky, costly and take very expensive grow bulbs. Nor do you need to build up enormous electricity bills . This new lighting technology not only operates cool so you won't burn your tender plants or face (when using them for Light Therapy) and the bulbs last up to 10,000 hours which means low cost and ease of replacement after 3 years of continuous use.

You will save so much on your electric bills in the first 6 months, that in many cases switching to these new generation lights means the savings in electricity alone in 6 months will in most cases cover the cost of the lights.

Another important thing to remember when growing seedlings is that the lights should be quite close (12"-18" from the soil) and then raised as they grow. Try to do that with a Mercury Vapor, tungsten or Halogen light...you just can't.

Now Some Tech Stuff About These Incredible New Generation Lights

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Some lights available on the market will only draws 65 watts of electricity or less and are compact fluorescent lamps. The one I offer is rated to deliver 4550 brightness lumens (70 Lumens Per Watt) and is 6500 degrees Kelvin. Others you will find might not be as effective so make sure to check before buying any. Look for the term "Full Spectrum" and that means a color temperature of from 5500 degrees Kelvin to 6500 degrees Kelvin.

In order to be effective many plants may need a higher or lower color temperature then full spectrum. Some orchids prefer a bluer light (around 10,000 degrees Kelvin) while others require a Red light to increase buds and blooms. Some manufacturers offer other bulbs that are available in differing color temperatures to control the light output, but I have tackled this issue another way. With my new system you can simply change the color temperature through the use of inexpensive, long lasting filter gels that I offer.

So now is a good time to trash those old tired four foot long traditional fluorescent fixtures and bulbs and forget about buying those expensive SAD lights from those upscale stores. Look for the new generation of grow and SAD lights and begin to enjoy your flowers and the winter again.

More information can be found by clicking on any of my Grow Light auctions.