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Thanks to advancements in LED grow lights and hydroponic technology, these systems are now popular among both large and small farms. Hydroponic fodder now is nutrient-rich feed that grows quickly and offers many benefits. But is it really worth the investment for your livestock operation?

Red light therapy offers many benefits, such as better skin health, pain relief, and overall wellness. But what about your eyes? Is there a risk of harm from red light therapy devices, and should you take precautions to protect them?

While many enthusiasts highlight the growing benefits of red light therapy, the issue of eye protection is often overlooked. Some recommend using protective eyewear, while others suggest that specific wavelengths of red light therapy might actually promote eye health.

Spider plants are one of the most popular houseplants because they are super easy to grow and care for. They’re also safe for both humans and pets, and they help clean the air in your home!

Spider plants have long, thin leaves that hang over the sides of the pot, making them look nice and decorative. In the warmer months, like spring and summer, they grow small white flowers that will turn into baby spider plants, called “spiderettes.” These babies look like tiny spiders, which is where the plant gets its name.

Even though spider plants are easy to care for, there are a few things you should know to help them grow better. In this blog, we’ll share 5 simple tips to keep your spider plants healthy and happy indoors.

Do you sometimes feel sluggish, achy, or like you're aging faster than you'd like? You might be experiencing oxidative stress. While this may sound strange, it’s quite simple to understand.

Imagine your body as a bustling city where every cell works to keep things running smoothly. Now, picture tiny, unstable molecules – free radicals – rushing through the streets, creating damage and disrupting the flow. When the balance between these free radicals and antioxidants is lost, it leads to oxidative stress, which can contribute to premature aging and various health issues.

Beyond maintaining a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet, there’s an easy, non-invasive way to help reduce oxidative stress: red light therapy.

Growers are always looking for ways to unlock new levels of productivity and efficiency. One such innovation that has been gaining traction is under-canopy lighting. This approach to horticultural lighting challenges traditional top-down methods. By placing LED grow lights beneath the plant canopy, under-canopy lighting can promote uniform growth, increase yields, and enhance quality. However, as with any shift in growing practices, this technique presents its own considerations and potential challenges, such as increased power consumption.

Have you heard about RLT (Red Light Therapy)? This non-invasive treatment can improve your skin, relieve pain, and enhance your overall wellness. And the best part is you can enjoy these benefits at home.

Red light panels, among the most popular devices, are versatile enough for both facial and body use. Sounds good, right? However, with the abundance of options available, selecting the right red light panel can be confusing.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know to get started with red light therapy panels.

With their delicate beauty and wide variety of species, orchids have long been cherished by both home gardeners and commercial growers. These stunning flowers come in a vibrant range of colors and can last from six to ten weeks on the plant. However, growing orchids indoors can be tricky, especially when it comes to providing the right light. Fortunately, advancements in LED technology have made it easier to cultivate orchids indoors and enjoy their blooms year-round.

Popular orchids like Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum thrive under LED grow lights, which offer an ideal balance of intensity and spectrum. In this blog, we'll explore how to grow orchids using LED grow lights, ensuring your plants receive the optimal conditions for success.

You've spent countless summers basking in the sun, enjoying its warmth and golden rays. However, over time, the sun has left its mark in the form of wrinkles, dark spots, and even sunburn. Sun damage is something many of us face, often without realizing the long-term effects it can have on our skin. In fact, a staggering 80% of visible skin aging is caused by sun exposure. Fortunately, there is a way to reverse this damage and restore your skin’s natural glow.

Curious?

Red light therapy – a non-invasive and effective option for healing and rejuvenating the skin. In this blog, we’ll explore how red light therapy can help reverse its effects. 

Red light therapy is a powerful way to improve your overall health, rejuvenate your skin, and even boost your mood. The most commonly used and researched wavelengths in red light therapy are 660nm red light and 850nm infrared light.

When 660nm red light is applied to the skin, it penetrates deep into the tissues, where it’s absorbed by the mitochondria—the cell's “powerhouses.” This process boosts the production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the main energy source for cells, improving cellular function and vitality.

Although inflammation is a vital part of our body’s defense system, it can sometimes escalate into chronic conditions, leading to pain, discomfort, and various health issues. 

How do you treat inflammation?

Many people rely on medication, such as aspirin and Alleve, to manage inflammation, and while these treatments can be effective, they often come with unwanted side effects, especially when dealing with chronic inflammation.

However, there is a natural and non-invasive method that can help manage inflammation effectively - red light therapy. By penetrating deep into tissues and cells, red and near-infrared light stimulates cellular function and promotes the healing process.

Plant diseases can be a gardener's worst nightmare, causing frustration, financial loss, and a sense of helplessness. While pesticides and insecticides effectively combat pests and diseases, their harsh chemicals often harm beneficial insects like bees and damage the environment. But what if there was a way to protect plants without resorting to harmful chemicals or labor-intensive methods?

Enter UVC light: nature's own sterilizer and a safer solution for plant health. Long used in hospitals and water treatment facilities, UVC light has also proven its worth in commercial horticulture for years. This powerful tool effectively eliminates powdery mildew, other fungi, viruses, and bacteria that cause plant diseases.

Have you noticed feeling down as the days grow shorter and winter sets in? You're not alone. Millions of people around the world struggle with more than just cold weather during this time. Symptoms like depression, fatigue, and a pervasive sense of gloom are common and are often associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as the "winter blues."

Mental health plays a vital role in our daily lives, and finding ways to combat seasonal depression is essential. One natural and promising approach to consider is red light therapy. In this blog, we’ll explore how red light therapy can brighten those dark days and naturally lift your spirits.

Red light therapy (RLT) is a treatment that utilizes specific wavelengths of red light (600nm-700nm) and near-infrared light (800nm-850nm) to enhance skin appearance, reduce pain and inflammation, and promote healing. Known also as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or photobiomodulation (PBM), RLT is a non-invasive method gaining popularity for its wide range of health benefits.

Due to its versatility and effectiveness, RLT is widely used in various settings, including home treatments, spas, and dermatology clinics. Whether you aim to rejuvenate your skin, recover more quickly from workouts, or boost your general well-being, red light therapy offers a proven and effective solution.

As people become more focused on their wellness and skincare, traditional routines often fall short of their needs. Additionally, frequent visits to dermatologists and skin spas can be inconvenient and expensive. This is why at-home red light therapy devices have become the perfect solution. These devices offer a non-invasive and convenient option, gaining significant popularity for home use.

With the market flooded with options, selecting the ideal red light therapy device can be overwhelming. What features truly matter when it comes to achieving effective results?

In this blog, we will provide essential insights and considerations to help you choose the best red light therapy device for your needs.

Have you ever scrolled through social media and noticed those futuristic masks glowing with red light? They're called red light therapy masks.

Promising smoother skin, reduced wrinkles, and even acne improvement, it's no wonder these devices have exploded in popularity. The best part? You can achieve these benefits at home. Imagine enjoying red light therapy while reading a book or watching TV. Just wear the mask and enhance your skin from the comfort of your home.

It’s tempting, isn’t it? But do these facial masks actually work, or are they just another beauty fad?

Are your indoor spaces lacking in natural sunlight? LED grow lights can be an excellent solution for your indoor grow rooms. These lights can either supplement existing sunlight or serve as the primary light source for your indoor plants. Known for their efficiency and effectiveness, LED grow lights have surged in popularity among gardening enthusiasts and professional growers.  

However, as more people adopt LED grow lights, a common question arises: How much electricity do LED grow lights actually consume, and what impact will they have on your energy bills.

With their vibrant red hue, juicy texture, and sweetness, strawberries have long been a favorite among fruit lovers. The key to successful indoor strawberry production? Lighting. Artificial illumination, especially LED grow light, plays a crucial role in mimicking the ideal growing conditions these plants need to thrive outside of their natural season. By using supplementary lighting, growers can achieve higher yields and better quality berries, even in the depths of winter.

A 4ft x 4ft tent may seem compact, but it’s a powerhouse of growing potential when properly lit. However, many growers struggle to find the perfect balance of lighting coverage, intensity, and spectrum for optimal plant growth in the 16ft space. In this blog, we will talk about how to illuminate your 4x4 grow tent for maximum yields and healthy, vibrant plants.

As climate change and resource scarcity continue to challenge traditional farming methods, advanced growing methods like vertical farms and shipping containers have emerged as a beacon of hope for sustainable food production. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) has been widely adopted to provide an optimal environment for plants, balancing temperature, humidity, CO2 levels, lighting, and other factors. Within this innovative landscape, LED grow lights stand out as a leading technology, offering multiple benefits for environmental control. From precise light spectrum to reduced heat output, LED grow lights play a critical role in optimizing environmental conditions for plant growth.

However, LED technology is transforming the landscape of agriculture. With their high efficiency and versatility, LED grow lights have gained popularity. They provide customizable spectra, dimmable light intensity, low heat, and reduced energy consumption to suit different plant species and growth stages.

LED lighting plays an important role in controlled environment agriculture. With the increasing popularity of controlled environment agriculture, staying abreast of the latest trends in lighting is significant. Innovative LED grow lights can offer a future where growers achieve higher levels of control, optimize plant growth, and maximize yields.

Lighting plays an important role in regulating the flowering process in plants, offering an effective means to enhance profits. You might be familiar with long-day plants, which flower when the days are longer, typically during spring or early summer before the equinox. These plants require more than the critical duration of light (usually 14-16 hours) to initiate flowering. Long-day lighting refers to the lighting strategies that extend photoperiods or day length to regulate the flowering of plants. Long-day lighting is effective in regulating flowering.

The days of relying on fixed spectrum and intensity lighting are behind us, thanks to the advancements in LED technology. These lights now offer the flexibility to tailor the light spectrum and adjust intensity. However, despite these advancements, fixed LED spectrum fail to account for the nuances of different species and their unique light requirements at different stages. They also overlook the dynamic changes in sunlight intensity and spectrum throughout the day and across seasons. So that is where dynamic LED lighting comes in.

Are you struggling to harness the full potential of your LED lighting setup? The challenge lies in the fact that there is no consensus on LED configuration for the growth of any particular plant species. Moreover, the efficiency of lighting is also influenced by the growing environment. This lack of clarity can leave growers perplexed about how to optimally utilize their LED grow lights, complicating the process of optimization. To solve the problem, multiple experiments and research have been implemented for the optimization of LED grow lights for different plants. In this blog, we will discuss some main factors and experiments for LED grow light optimization.

Ever wonder how those perfectly yellow bananas in the grocery store get there?

Bananas are a tropical fruit that is an important economic crop for many tropical and subtropical regions. Natural sunlight has long been a critical factor in banana cultivation, turning banana plants from green into gold. Yet, the yield and quality of bananas are influenced by climatic conditions, leading to fluctuating profits. With the advance of technologies like vitro techniques, artificial lighting, and smart irrigation systems, bananas grow faster and better in controlled environments.

Are inconsistent yields, rising energy costs, and limited control over your growing environment eating into your profits? At Atop, we’ve been there.

As the demand for efficient farming practices continues to surge, growers are increasingly turning to advanced lighting solutions to optimize their plant growth and crop yields while minimizing operating costs. To address the challenges faced by growers, we have developed a line of high-performance, commercial-grade LED grow lights. From small-scale urban indoor farms to expansive greenhouses, our lights are engineered to optimize plant health and productivity with high efficiency.

Hydroponics is one of the most common growing methods in the world of modern agriculture. By cultivating plants without soil and utilizing water-based nutrient solutions, hydroponics offers numerous advantages, from maximizing space utilization to conserving water resources. However, successful hydroponic farms require carefully controlled lighting to provide the necessary energy for photosynthesis and plant growth. So, what are the lighting requirements for hydroponic farms? In this blog, we will discuss hydroponic lighting requirements.

One of the secret weapons for successful cutting propagation is LED lights. Supplementing lighting during propagation allows for producing cuttings with higher quality and better root structure in a short period of time. In this beginner’s guide, we will discuss the process of propagating plants from cuttings and the management of the LED lighting system during propagation.

LED grow lights have taken center stage in horticulture with the pursuit of optimized growth conditions and higher yields. They provide not only a customizable spectrum but also high energy efficiency, improving plant growth and yields. However, there is often an overlooked component: optics. The role of LED optics in horticultural lighting extends far beyond mere illumination. Optics have the ability to shape and direct light in ways that optimize coverage, minimize hotspots, and ensure uniform distribution across growing areas.

Are you curious about the hype surrounding red light therapy? With its growing popularity in the health and wellness industry, you might be wondering what this innovative treatment actually does. Using specific wavelengths of red light or near-infrared light, red light therapy claims various benefits, from reversing skin aging to easing chronic pain. But what lies behind these claims? In this article, we will discuss the science of red light therapy.

As the demand for fresh produce, flowers, and medicinal plants continues to rise, horticulture businesses are under mounting pressure to optimize their cultivation methods. This is where the exciting world of controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) steps in, offering growers a powerful solution. Greenhouse and indoor vertical farms are two of the most prominent approaches in the industry using CEA.

But with both methods promising year-round harvests and optimal growing conditions, what are their differences? Which one is right for you?

Vertical farming, the practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers within controlled environment facilities, is revolutionizing the way we think about food production. By maximizing the use of space and resources, vertical farms are poised to play a crucial role in addressing the growing global demand for fresh, locally grown produce while minimizing the environmental impact of traditional agriculture.

But can this approach accommodate vine crops like cucumbers? The answer is a resounding yes - with the right techniques and conditions, vertical farm cucumber production is not only possible but also highly efficient and sustainable. Farming enterprises such as iFarm and RIAT have successfully grown cucumbers without daylight in vertical farms.

Are your tomato plants looking a little worse for wear, with their once lush green leaves curling inward or rolling up tightly? But fear not! We’re here to provide you with all the essential information you need to understand this puzzling phenomenon.

In this blog, we will talk about the causes behind rolled tomato leaves and share practical solutions to get your plants back on track and ensure a bountiful harvest.

LED grow lights are powerful tools for optimizing crop performance and improving profits. Growers use different light spectra to drive photosynthesis and regulate various growth processes. However, research and usage of light spectra mainly focus on commercial cultivation, such as yield and quality, while the effects on plant defenses are often overlooked.

The fact is that the LED light spectrum also influences plant resistance to environmental stress. This information is important for exploring opportunities to cultivate hardier, more adaptable crops capable of defending against pests and diseases and withstanding the ever-changing environmental challenges.

Natural sunlight is fantastic, but it's not always reliable. That is why supplemental lighting is required in greenhouses. However, your greenhouse's potential may be limited without a well-defined lighting strategy. An effective lighting strategy is critical for the success of your operation.

What should be involved in developing a greenhouse lighting strategy? This post is your guide. We will discuss eight key elements for creating a winning greenhouse lighting strategy for healthier plants and higher yields.

As a cultivator, researcher, or business in the horticulture industry, you understand the critical role that lighting plays in achieving optimal plant growth, yield, and quality. In this rapidly evolving field, finding a trusted partner who can provide tailored, high-performance lighting solutions is essential for your success. That's where our team at Atop, comes in. We are your trusted partner for OEM & ODM horticulture lighting solutions.

If you’re involved in horticulture or indoor farming, you understand the critical role that lighting plays in optimizing plant growth and yields. LED grow lights are the popular options for horticulture lighting. But how do you know which ones truly deliver on efficiency and performance claims?

DLC qualification is one of the trusted standards for assessing the quality and performance of LED grow lights. The DLC (DesignLights Consortium) is a non-profit organization that establishes rigorous performance standards for commercial LED lighting products. DLC qualification and listing provide growers with independent verification that LED grow lights meet stringent requirements for efficiency, quality, and sustainability.

For decades, fluorescent tubes have been the backbone of indoor growing, illuminating countless greenhouses with their distinctive glow. But flicking fluorescent tubes can also be buzzing overhead, casting a blue glow on your indoor spaces. They also contain toxic mercury. Therefore, the age of fluorescent lighting has officially come to an end. LEDs emerge as the perfect alternative solution for horticulture lighting. As growers adapt to LED fixtures, they will uncover benefits like lower operating costs, targeted receipt per crop, and automation through lighting controls.  

When it comes to LED grow lights, the quality and performance of the LED chips are paramount. They determine not only the intensity and spectrum of light emitted, but also the energy efficiency, longevity, and overall reliability of the grow lights. This is why Atop Lighting integrates Samsung LED chips into our grow lights.

By using Atop’s LED grow lights with Samsung LED chips, you can enjoy the benefits of optimal light intensity and quality, full spectrum output, and versatility. Read on to find out more about why we use Samsung chips for our LED grow lights.                  

Have you ever wondered why some plants are green, while others are red, purple, or even rainbow-colored? The answer lies in the color of the light they receive. It’s not a secret that light plays a crucial role in their growth and development. But have you ever stopped to wonder how different light colors impact plant growth?

Today, we would like to talk about the intricate relationship between light colors and plant growth. By understanding how plants receive and respond to different light colors, we can unlock the key to optimizing their growth, enhancing productivity, and even influencing flowering and fruit production.

For growers, getting plants to bloom and flower is often one of the most satisfying parts of growing. Many crops, like tomatoes, depend on flowering for yields and quality. Many ornamental plants, such as roses, tulips, and orchids, rely on flowering for beauty and fragrance. But what actually triggers flowering?

You probably know that light is one of the most important factors that influence plant growth and development. When it comes to flowering, one of the most influential colors of light for plants is red. Why is red light so important for flowering? There is a photoreceptor protein within plants called phytochrome. Phytochrome exists in two forms and converts between the two upon absorbing red light. This conversion initiates a cascade of hormonal signals that tell the plant it’s time to flower.

Tissue culture is a widely used technique for propagating high-quality plants in horticulture. It involves growing plant cells, tissues, or organs in a sterile environment, under controlled conditions. Tissue culture can offer many benefits, such as rapid propagation, disease-free plants, and the ability to produce large quantities of uniform plants. However, scaling up tissue culture from small lab trials to full-scale commercial operations comes with real challenges.

One of the key factors that can influence the success of tissue culture is light. Now, precision-engineered LED horticulture lighting bathe cultures in tailor-made spectra, coaxing them to flourish with unheard-of speed and efficiency.

If you are interested in learning more about tissue culture and lighting, and how it can help you grow your horticulture business, read on.

Modern indoor farms and greenhouses utilize the power of LED grow lights to grow crop year-round. However, along with their numerous advantages, LEDs also present a new challenge - the risk of photobleaching of your precious plants.

Photobleaching is a common problem that many commercial growers face. It occurs when plants are exposed to too much wrong light, which destroy their chlorophyll and other pigments. The result is a noticeable fading or bleaching of leaves and flowers. Photobleaching can not only affects the appearance and market value of your crops but also reduce their overall quality.

Tulips are one of the most popular potted and valuable cutting flower in floriculture industry as an ornamental plant. And the worldwide tulip market has been growing steadily in recent years, reaching a value of USD 8.61 billion by the year 2029. This increasing demand, especially for out-of-season or specialty tulips, presents a major business opportunity for enterprising growers.

With the advancements in horticulture lighting, specially LED grow lights, starting a successful tulip business is more accessible than ever. You can now grow tulip indoor all year round and enjoy their vibrant colors and fragrances.

As agriculture progresses, the need for effective and eco-friendly techniques has led to the emergence of LED technology. Commercial LED grow lights have become crucial tools for modern farmers who want to enhance crop production due to their impressive energy efficiency, customizable spectral output, and numerous advantages.

In this article, we will share important information about commercial LED grow lights. Whether you're a commercial grower looking to boost yields, a researcher investigating new cultivation methods, or an indoor gardening enthusiast, this guide will provide you with the knowledge required to make informed decisions and achieve optimal results.

If you’re a controlled environmental agriculture (CEA) grower looking to add or upgrade supplemental LED lighting, you might be wondering whether to choose air cooled or water cooled LED grow lights. Air cooled LED grow lights utilize fans to circulate air around the heat-generating LED diodes, while water cooled LED grow lights circulate water to cool the LED fixtures.

So, which method is better suited for your operation? Let’s review some of the key factors at play when deciding between air cooled and water cooled lighting systems.

It is well known how important it is to provide indoor plants with the right amount and quality of light. We also understand the importance of selecting the right grow lights to optimize plant growth and maximize yields. However, with so many grow lights available on the market, how do you choose the best one for your plants or business?

You might already be familiar with pink and white LED grow lights. But have you ever considered pinkish white and yellow grow lights? Or perhaps you have encountered the perplexing question: pinkish white or yellow grow lights?

At Atop Lighting, we firmly believe that the customer comes first. We understand the struggles you face, and we provide LED grow lights that directly solve your pain points and streamline operations. Whether it's controlling heat, optimizing the light spectrum, reducing costs, or simplifying maintenance, our horticulture lighting is crafted to address your requirements. Whether you are a commercial grower, wholesaler, or distributor, we have the right solution for you.

Tomatoes are one of the most popular crops in the world, but growing them indoors can be challenging. You need to provide them with the right amount of light, water, nutrients, and temperature to ensure optimal growth and development. Among all, light is one of the most important environment factors to get right. LED technology has allowed us to provide precise wavelengths, intensity, and photoperiods that tomatoes need for optimal growth. One color that is often overlooked but can have a tremendous impact is green light.

In today’s fast-paced world, where self-care and personal wellness are gaining paramount importance, red light therapy has emerged as an effective solution. Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy, has proven to be a versatile and effective solution whether you’re seeking to improve your health, enhance your skin’s radiance, improve mood and sleep, or accelerate post-workout recovery. And that’s where our red light therapy solutions come in.

Growers are always looking to optimize yields and quality while reducing costs in cannabis cultivation. Upgrading outdated lighting is one of the most effective ways to achieve their goals. Retrofitting existing lighting with new LED fixtures is a middle ground between keeping old lights and a full lighting replacement. LED retrofitting is just the conversion of existing HPS fixtures to LED lighting fixtures while using the existing electrical setup. This makes upgrading simple and affordable.

For indoor cannabis growers, maximizing yields and quality is always a top priority. You might have heard of CO2 enrichment as a way to boost your yield, potency, and quality of the buds. By boosting levels of carbon dioxide to supplement the CO2 that plants absorb naturally, CO2 enrichment can enhance photosynthetic efficiency, accelerate growth rates, and ultimately maximize yield. With the right CO2 strategies, you can increase yields by over 20%!

But what is CO2 enrichment and how does it benefit cannabis plants? And more importantly, what is the optimal CO2 level for cannabis growth? How to improve CO2 enrichment with LED lights?

Light stands out as a fundamental element that fuels photosynthesis, the vital process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy to support their growth and development. Growers and researchers alike are continuously exploring the role and the impact of light on crop growth to enhance agricultural productivity.

But do crops truly grow better with more light?

Generally speaking, the answer is ‘Yes’.

Light is one of the most important factors for plant growth and development. Plants use light to perform photosynthesis, the process of converting light energy into chemical energy that fuels their metabolism. However, plants can respond differently in terms of their morphology, physiology, and biochemistry, depending on the spectrum, intensity, and duration. The choice of lighting systems plays a pivotal role in the successful cultivation of plants. Two primary contenders in this arena are dynamic LED lighting and natural sunlight. 

Indoor cultivation is on the rise, with millions of people now cultivating plants in the controlled environments that grow tents provide. Grow tents are portable, enclosed structures that create a controlled environment for your plants, allowing you to grow a variety of crops indoors regardless of the weather or season. But with a multitude of options available on the market, how do you ensure you choose the right one?

Indoor growing has many benefits, such as allowing growers to produce fresh and healthy crops all year round, regardless of the weather or season. It also gives growers more control over the quality and quantity of the harvest, as they can adjust the temperature, humidity, light, and nutrients to suit their plants’ needs. With the popularity of growing cannabis and other plants on the rise, choosing between a grow room and a grow tent has become one of the most important decisions for indoor growing.

When it comes to optimizing space, maximizing yields, controlling growth conditions, and managing costs, grow tents and grow rooms have their own sets of pros and cons. In this article, we will compare the contrast between grow rooms and grow tents, and help you decide which one is best for your needs and goals.

LED grow lights are a great way to grow indoor plants, as they provide a high-quality and energy-efficient light source that can boost plant growth and health. However, installing and using LED grow lights is not as simple as plugging them in and turning them on. Without proper installations, maybe your lights will humming or flickering, your plants are showing signs of light stress, or you simply cannot get your lights cooled properly.

Lettuce is one of the most popular and nutritious leafy vegetables in the world. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. However, lettuce is also a plant that requires very specific light conditions to achieve optimal growth, quality, and yield. Growing lettuce in indoor environments, such as vertical farms or plant factories, poses some challenges.

Do you know why plants require a diverse range of light colors?

Plants need different colors of light for different growth stages and functions. For instance, blue light stimulates leaf growth, red light promotes flowering and fruiting, and far-red light regulates the photoperiod. Moreover, horticultural lighting requires high uniformity of light to ensure consistent crop quality and harvest time. How can growers achieve the best lighting for their plants? How can distributors secure more projects and boost their chances of success? The answer is to work with a professional optical team.

Atop Lighting is a leading horticultural lighting manufacturer that has a dedicated optical team of 10 people. We design custom lenses, provide free lighting simulations, and support free spectrum simulations for various crops and environments. In this blog post, we will show you how we work and why we are essential for your horticultural lighting needs.

Plant growth retardants (PGRs) are a class of compounds that inhibit cell division and expansion in plants. This restricts stem elongation, resulting in shorter, more compact varieties. Growers use PGRs to control the height, shape, and quality of crops. Traditionally, chemical PGRs have been the go-to choice for many growers, offering predictable results and control over plant development. However, as sustainable practices gain traction, alternative methods are emerging, with blue light taking the spotlight. Which is the better choice - blue light or traditional chemical PGRs?

From the first spring crocuses peeking through the snow to the autumnal cascade of color in the trees overhead, the seasonal rhythms of the natural world showcase the remarkable influence photoperiodism has on plant life cycles. The relative lengths of light and dark in a 24-hour cycle, also known as the photoperiod, act as a potent signal enabling plants to synchronize their growth and development with seasonal changes. 

Ultraviolet-C (UVC) light is increasingly being used to enhance plant growth and crop yields in the horticulture industry. It is a type of ultraviolet radiation that has the shortest wavelength and the highest energy among the three types of UV rays. UVC Light can kill or inactivate microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi. By harnessing the power of UVC wavelengths, growers can reap benefits including improved plant disease resistance, increased nutrient availability, and faster growth rates. But it can also pose health and safety risk to humans and animals, as well as damage some materials and surfaces.

Growing year-round, flavorful, nutrient-dense fruits and veggies is now possible - even without access to a garden!

With indoor and vertical farming on the rise, LED lighting unlocks the potential to not just maximize yields but also enhance the sensory and phytonutrient qualities of your produce. Since LED grow lights are customizable, they allow indoor growers to adjust the color, intensity, and duration of light to suit the needs of different crops and stages of growth.

Imagine biting into juicy tomatoes bursting with savory sweetness. Or lettuce and herbs boasting higher antioxidants to boost your health. With the right lighting strategies, you can grow these flavor and nutrition crops indoors.

Ornamental cabbage and kale are popular bedding plants. The deep purples and vibrant reds of ornamental cabbage and kale add intense color to your grow room. But did you know that LED grow lights can help enhance these mesmerizing hues even further?

Scientists found that exposing ornamental cabbage and kale to specific wavelengths of LED lights during growth significantly increased the intensity of the plants’ foliar pigments. The end result was more eye-catching purple and red coloration in the leaves. The findings open up new possibilities for growers looking to produce ornamental cabbage and kale with bolder, more appealing controls.

Pollinator bees play a crucial role in ecosystem, pollinating plants that produce fruits, vegetables, and nuts that make up a significant portion of our diet. They are responsible for pollinating about one-third of the world’s food crops. But did you know that their populations around the world have been in decline due to factors like habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and disease? If you care about the environment and food security, you might be wondering how you can help these amazing creatures. Well, there is a possible, simple, and effective solution that you might not have thought of: LED grow lights.

Do you want to grow more plants in your limited space? Are you frustrated by the lack of yield and quality in your crowded grow room?

If so, you are not alone. As a grower, it is important to make the most of the space you have in order to produce the highest yield possible. However, it’s easy to make mistakes that can hide your progress and ultimately lead to a lower quality harvest.

Have you ever bought an LED grow light that claimed to have a high wattage but turned out to be weak and disappointing? That is because many LED grow light manufacturers exaggerate the true wattage of their products in their advertising. It is something called ‘advertised watts’ that make their products seem more powerful and appealing than they really are. But what are advertised watts, and how do they differ from the true wattage of your LED grow light? In this blog, we’ll explore the issue of exaggerated advertised wattage and provide tips on how to avoid being fooled by it when choosing an LED grow light. So, let’s get started!

If you want to grow healthy and productive crops indoors or in greenhouses, you may already be familiar with the benefits of LED grow lights. As one of the best options for indoor farms and greenhouses, LED grow lights are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and versatile. But not all LED grow lights are the same. There are different types of LED grow lights available, such as purple, pink, and white.

In this blog, we will discuss the key differences between pink and white LED grow lights.

So, whether you are looking to improve your current growing setup, or are considering investing in LED grow lights for the first time, read on to find out more about pink and white LED grow lights and how they can benefit your plants.

Indoor farming has become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to grow crops in a controlled environment without depending on the weather or soil quality. However, indoor growing also has its own challenges. If you are an indoor farmer, you know how challenging it can be to provide the optimal lighting conditions for your crops. You want to mimic the natural cycle of the sun, but you also want to control the light intensity and duration to suit the specific needs of your plants. How can you achieve this balance without spending too much time and money on your lighting system?

The answer is sunrise and sunset simulation, a technique that uses LED grow lights to simulate the natural light cycle.

Do you want to ensure that your plants receive the proper lighting they need to thrive? Do you want to grow healthy and robust plants without worrying about your grow lights failing? If so, you need to read this ultimate guide to preventing grow light driver failure.

Drivers are the devices that regulate the power and current of your LED grow lights. They are essential for ensuring the optimal performance and longevity of your lights. However, they can also fail due to various reasons. When your grow light drivers fail, you risk losing your plants, wasting money, and damaging equipment. That’s why you need to learn how to prevent grow light driver failure and keep your lights running smoothly and efficiently.

Read on to find out how to prevent grow light driver failure and enjoy the benefits of LED grow lights.

Are you struggling to keep your plants healthy and thriving? Do you wonder whether your plants get enough light? Do you wish to know how to provide your plants with the best light conditions possible?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this blog is for you. Whether plants are grown at home or in commercial indoor farms and greenhouses, light is one of the most important factors in plant growth and health. Without the right amount and type of light, your plants may not be getting the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy.

Do you want to grow healthier, happier, and more profitable plants? If so, you need to pay attention to the quality and quantity of light they receive. Light is one of the most important factors that affect plant growth and development. As is known, LED grow lights are the most popular horticulture light sources on the market. But not all LED grow lights are created equal. Different plants have different light preferences and requirements, depending on their species, stage of growth, and environment conditions. That’s why you need customized spectral lighting solutions for your plants. Many LED manufacturers provide customized spectral services to meet your specific growing goals. By tailoring the light spectrum for your plants, you can optimize the plant growth.

Cucumbers are one of the most common crops for indoor growing. Growing cucumbers indoors helps cultivate healthy and productive cucumbers, especially during the autumn and winter seasons. When it comes to indoor growing, one of the most important factors to consider is lighting. It can affect the photosynthetic efficiency and yield of greenhouse cucumbers. In recent years, LED grow lights have become increasingly popular due to their energy efficiency and versatility. However, not all LED grow lights are created equal. There are two main types: wide spectrum (also called white light) and narrow spectrum.

If you are growing cucumbers indoors, you might be wondering what type of LED light is best for your plants. In this blog post, we will compare wide spectrum and narrow spectrum LED lights and see which one is better for cucumbers. Let’s take a close look.

Microgreens are popular due to their unique flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits. They are also packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Microgreens are commonly used in salads, sandwiches, and as a garnish for a variety of dishes. Microgreens are relatively easy to grow. They just require a limited upfront investment, little resources and space, but have a quick turnover. Therefore, microgreens are one of the most common and profitable crops among commercial farmers. They can be grown year-round in greenhouses, vertical farms, or even shipping containers indoors under grow lights. They are also popular among home growers. But what exactly are microgreens?

Today, we would like talk about microgreens and help you discover the wonderful world of microgreens. So let’s dive in and explore the fascinating world of microgreens!

As is known, most plants can survive without soil. Soil-less systems such as hydroponics and aquaponics can reduce resource consumption. Hydroponics means growing plants in nutrient-rich water. Growing fruits and vegetables hydroponically represents a possible solution for increasing food production, conserving water, and minimizing the use of pesticides. However, soil and hydroponics are two different methods of growing plants that have their own advantages and disadvantages. You may wonder whether you should use soil or hydroponics as your growing medium. In this post, we will compare soil-based system and the hydroponic system and help you decide which one is better for your plants.

Are you a LED grow light distributor or wholesaler who wants to save on money while providing your customers a versatile and cost-effective lighting solution? If so, you might be interested in our small and detachable LED grow light - HL33 Horti-Transfo. This innovative product is designed to save your money and space. In addition, Horti-Transfo is compact, lightweight, and easy to assemble. It also have dimming knob that allows you to adjust the lighting intensity.

Flowering is a crucial in the life cycle of many plants, especially those that are grown for ornamental or agriculture purposes. Flowering is influenced by various environmental factors, such as temperature, day length, and light quality. As is known, light spectrum in the PAR range can be used by plants to create energy through photosynthesis. Many have heard about the benefits of using far-red light to manipulate the flowering of crops. But far-red light falls outside of the PAR range. How far-red light boosts flowering? How to apply far-red light properly to boost flowering?

The growth in population and the shortage of arable land around the world are becoming worse and worse. This also results an increasing demand of food production in urbanized areas. Vertical farming is one of the most effective ways to grow more crops in fewer spaces. It can use shipping containers, buildings, or warehouses in urban areas to grow crops. Vertical farming enables year-round production of local foods, such as leafy greens and herbs. Farmers want to reap more profits and reach financial success by implementing vertical farming. But not every crop is economically viable to grow in a vertical farm. When cultivated indoors, multiple environmental factors, such as photoperiod, light spectrum, light intensity, temperature, and humidity, must be carefully controlled to provide an optimal environment for crops. This requires high upfront investments and maintenance costs. Therefore, farmers should be cautious when deciding which crops to grow.

When growers are selecting grow lights for their greenhouses or indoor farms, they may take the quality, light spectrum, water resistance, and efficiency into consideration. However, not all grow lights are equal in terms of quality, quantity, and efficiency. It is essential to provide uniform light across the plant canopy. Uniform light is crucial for consistent crop growth in both greenhouse and indoor farming cultivation. It enables plants to receive an equal amount of light, which promoted health growth and higher yields. However, achieving uniform light can be a challenge. In this post, we will discuss the importance of uniform light, factors affect light uniformity, and effective ways to achieve high light uniformity.

It is obvious that artificial lights like HPS and LED grow lights benefit greenhouse plants, especially during the winter months. Artificial lights supplement the light that plants need and improve their growth. Thus, growers are able to achieve higher yields, year-round production, and better fruit quality. These benefits also result the increasing dependence on artificial lights in greenhouse horticulture. Some growers keep grow lights on throughout the year in spite of varying time and light levels, resulting in greenhouse light pollution.

On January 5, 2023, the first digital agriculture project of Zibo Agricultural Development Group in Shandong Province, led by intelligent plant factories, was harvested in Guli Town, Huantai County, successfully producing the first crop of organic tomatoes. The project was officially launched in July 2021, so far the intelligent plant factory 1# greenhouse has been completed and put into operation, managed and operated by Kaisheng Haofeng Agriculture Co., Ltd. with a maximum daily output of more than 20 tons of tomatoes.

According to the research, the global horticulture lighting market is expected to reach USD 19 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 19% from 2022 to 2030.  

Horticulture lighting refers to the lighting used for horticulture and garden cultivation. The horticulture lighting supplements natural daylight and raises light levels to enhance photosynthesis, thereby supporting the plant growth and development. Because horticulture lighting provides artificial light that meets the plants’ needs, it helps boost the yield and quality throughout the year.

Nowadays, there are thousands of options for horticulture lighting. Why do we particularly prefer the use of LED instead of HPS? Today I am going to share with you why this happens.

Red raspberries are sweet and juicy, and they are often used in desserts, jams, and jellies. They are also full of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, which are good for your health. Therefore, red raspberries are popular for commercial cultivation. But low temperatures and the lack of sunlight during the winter can limit production and yields. Since LED grow lights can mimic natural sunlight and thus improve production and yields, commercial growers are turning to LED grow lights.

In today's world, most of us tend to spend a considerable amount of time indoors under artificial lighting, making it crucial to choose the right quality of light for a healthy lifestyle. Extensive research has shown that natural light is the most effective source of light, and exposure to it can positively impact our well-being. Unfortunately, due to the nature of indoor settings, it's often challenging to receive the required natural light intensity. However, Sunlike LEDs can provide a solution to this problem. These LEDs produce a spectrum of light that closely resembles natural sunlight, making them an excellent source of light for indoor environments.

Artificial lights, in particular LED grow lights, are widely used in indoor vertical farms, greenhouses, and open-field cultivation. We have learned that many crops’ cultivation, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers, and cannabis, takes advantage of artificial lights. With the help of artificial lights, growers are able to provide sufficient lighting, and control the growth of plants, and achieve better quality and higher yields. Did you know that artificial lights are also used for growing dragon fruits? You probably know that dragon fruit is a light-loving plant and it is usually grown in open fields. It is obvious that artificial lights are advantageous for dragon fruit cultivation. But why LEDs?

Indoor farms provide a new possibility to feed the world under the threats of climate change and the shortage of arable lands. Indoor agriculture makes food, herbs, and flower cultivation more local and available year-round. But indoor farming requires high investment and operational costs. One of the biggest challenges that farmers are facing is increasing production costs. In addition to rising production costs, erratic commodity prices have also left farmers struggling. Although we cannot control prices, we can take steps to increase production, improve quality, and reduce costs as much possible. Among them, managing production costs is one of the most effective ways to survive the ebb and flow of the market.

Nowadays, commercial grow rooms are highly integrated and complex, and cultivators are implementing and using equipment more than ever to maximize production and potential profits. These may include lighting, safety, sanitation, humidity, CO2 level, irrigation, centralized control, etc. However, some elements and equipment for commercial grow rooms require some upfront investments. Additionally, equipment expenditures can run up very quickly. Some equipment is necessary for cultivation, while others are only a waste of money and space. In commercial cultivation, the expenditures on elements can be the difference between success and failure. Commercial growers need to budget properly and utilize the essential elements effectively to reap the desired ROI. In general, there are seven essential elements for most commercial grow rooms. Check out the post to learn more.

As we learned before, UVA rays have the longest wavelengths, followed by UVB, and UVC rays which have the shortest wavelengths. You may have a question, is ultraviolet light generally safe?

On the one hand, UVC is the most dangerous because it is the most energetic part of the ultraviolet spectrum. However, UVC is completely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, so there really is no risk to most people.

UV lighting is a safe and effective way to protect your home or office from germs and bacteria. UV lights are a type of light that emits ultraviolet radiation that can penetrate and destroy germs, bacteria, and viruses on surfaces and in the air. This makes them perfect for use in hospitals, schools, and other public places.

Sometimes, using full spectrum LED grow lights alone can’t meet the lighting needs of plants. The use of UV and infrared supplemental LED lighting plays an important role in biomass production, better blooming, and healthier growth. However, inappropriate UV and infrared light can do harm to plants. It's confusing whether you should add UV and IR lights to your plants. If so, how should you apply them to your cultivation?

Indoor growing is more and more prevalent for crop production with climate changes and the shortage of arable lands. Growers want to reap more profits, achieving higher yields, better crop quality, or more productions by indoor growing. No matter which goal growers would like to reach, lighting is one of the most important factors for indoor growing. Lighting requirements vary from crops types. Neither too much nor too little light will depress yield and quality. Here, we will show you a list of light recipes for some indoor crops, which includes lettuces, roses, strawberries, bell peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

We’ve been having a great time at the Light + Building fair 2022.

This year, Atop will attend lighting exhibitions and trade fairs to have a face-to-face communication with you as well. Details of lighting events are shown as the picture below.

Don’t forget to come and visit us. We look forward to connecting and answering your questions!

Agriculture is critical for food production for humans. But studies have found that agriculture has become more difficult for farmers to enter. Moreover, more and more farmers are adopting indoor controlled environment farms in response to climate change, lack of arable lands, and challenges of profitable production. Shipping container farms are one of the most innovative solutions for farmers to gain a competitive edge. Shipping container farms contribute to more efficient and sustainable food production. In comparison with greenhouses and other indoor agriculture, this innovative production method has the advantages of shorter distribution distance to certain markets, giving the possibility of being located close to the customer. It also eliminates the detrimental effects of harsh environments and pest infestations. Will shipping container farms be the future of agriculture?

As known, plants absorb light and convert it into energy for their growth and development. Humans can only see the light of the visible range (400nm - 700nm) while plants can ‘see’ wavelengths beyond the visible range. The wavelengths ranged from 400nm to 700nm are mostly used by plants for photosynthesis. Thus the visible light is called photosynthetically active radiation (PAR range).

Although plants absorb light of different wavelengths, the absorption of different light colors relies on the help of various pigments. When it comes to plant lighting, it seems the action spectrum and absorption spectrum are nearly identical. But action spectrum and absorption spectrum are different. Moreover, knowing the differences between action spectrum and absorption spectrum help us understand the light that plants received and which one is beneficial for their growth and development. If you want to learn more about action spectrum and absorption spectrum, just read further.

The purpose of supplementing light for chrysanthemums is to inhibit flower bud differentiation and maintain vegetative growth so that the chrysanthemum does not bloom, and the annual production is realized. The difficulty of supplementing light for chrysanthemum is to make sure high reliability under the premise of low cost. High reliability includes: reliable inhibition of flower bud differentiation, low failure rate and long lifespan of supplemental lighting fixtures.

Garlic is widely used for culinary and medicinal purposes with their special flavor and health benefits. Actually, garlic is an edible flowering bulb that belongs to the onion family. The unique aroma makes dishes taste better. Like many vegetables, garlic can be grown indoors. It is one of the most popular plants for commercial and home growers. Growing garlic indoors is a good way to have fresh garlic year-round. In addition, growing garlic indoors is pretty easy. But there are still some challenges for successful indoor garlic growing. Today, let’s talk about how to grow your own garlic indoors. Hope you can harvest fresh garlic at your fingertips.  

When it comes to the horticultural LED spectrum, growers usually have two options - the 'full spectrum' or 'broad spectrum', which manifests as white light; and the 'red/blue spectrum', which can manifest as purple or pink light.

Red/blue spectrum LED luminaires are often referred to as narrow band spectrum lamps - because they emit wavelengths within a narrow band of light.  LED luminaires that emit 'white' light are often referred to as 'broad spectrum' or 'full spectrum' lamps, as they include a broad band of the spectrum (more similar to the sun) and present 'white' light (no true white wavelength).  

Compared to traditional light sources, LEDs are more popular in horticultural lighting because of their higher efficiency, better performance, and longer lifespan. White LED grow lights can balance plant growth with ‘’full spectrum’’. Thus, white LED grow lights are often the selections for most growers. But the LED grow light industry keeps improving and delivers many innovative lighting solutions with time. Variable spectrum LEDs are one of the newest agriculture lighting solutions to trigger the growth of plants. White LEDs and variable spectrum LEDs are some of the most common grow lights on the market. If you are looking for LED lights for your plants. You may be bothering to choose white LEDs or variable spectrum LEDs. We would like to talk about the differences between white LEDs and variable spectrum LEDs in this post. Hope it can help you decide which light is better for your plants easier.

Vertical farming (also sometimes called vertical gardening) is an agricultural practice in which crops are grown in vertically stacked layers. Vertical farming could be quite a promising future food source, as space can be used fairly efficiently to produce large quantities of vegetables and fruits, such as lettuce.

However, along with many other additional advantages, there are also some issues associated with vertical farming.

Today here I am going to list some pros and cons of vertical farming, take growing lettuce as a sample, let's have a briefly summary and comparison.

What is PPFD, why it is essential, and the right amount of PPFD for indoor plants. Let's start by understanding what PPFD is.

As known, light spectrum is important in plant growth. Whether growing plants in greenhouses, vertical farms, or grow tents, full spectrum LED grow lights are the common selections for most growers. That is because full spectrum LED grow lights contain spectrum in the PAR range, which can improve photosynthesis and balance plant growth. Among spectrum in PAR range, blue light and red light are recognized as the most vital light regions for plant development. Research has shown the absorption of blue and red light by plants could be up to 90%. There are many researches about the effects of blue and red light on plant growth. But how blue light affects plant growth?

As the human population continues to increase, so does the demand for food. Coupled with increasingly limited arable land due to the growing population and the continuing urbanization of the globe, there is a need to develop new farming methods that produce greater yields in smaller spaces.

The use of light-emitting diode technology (LED) to grow crops under controlled environmental conditions can significantly reduce energy consumption. Wheat, one of the world's most important food crops, can also be grown indoors to increase yields.

Leafy greens and vegetables are popular because they are beneficial for human health. They are often found on the table in the form of salads. Lettuce, spinach, and arugula are three common leafy greens that are added to salad mixes. We have discussed the lighting requirements for indoor lettuces and ways to grow spinach at home. Today, let’s talk about indoor arugula.

On December 2, the Shenzhen Facility Agriculture Industry Association officially released the group standard "Technical Specification for the Evaluation of LED Lights for Strawberry Planting in Facility Agriculture". It is the world's first product standard for strawberry lighting in facility agriculture, filling the industry gap. In order to further standardize the industry standard and promote the development of the industry, Shenzhen Agriculture Association jointly drafted and compiled the "Evaluation Technical Specification for LED Light for Strawberry Planting in Facility Agriculture" group standard from the perspective of advanced and high quality level, with the benchmark of being stricter than the national standard and not lower than similar standards, and formulated the requirements of LED light for strawberry planting, so as to give a benchmark for product technology innovation and enhance product quality. The standard is a benchmark for product innovation and product quality improvement.

Light is the most important environmental factor influencing plant growth and development. Light not only supplies energy for plant growth through photosynthesis, but is also an important regulator of plant growth and development.

The light in nature comes from the sun, and the solar spectrum is roughly divided into three parts: ultraviolet light <400nm (uv-a315-400nm, uv-b280-315nm, uv-c100-280nm), far-red light and infrared light>700nm ( Far-red light 700-780nm, infrared light 780nm-1000μm), photosynthetically active radiation 400-700nm wavelength (blue-violet light wavelength 400-500nm, green light wavelength 500-575nm, yellow-orange light wavelength 575-620nm, red light wavelength 620-700nm). Among them, mid-ultraviolet UV-B and far-ultraviolet UV-C are mostly absorbed by the ozone layer above the earth, and the ultraviolet light reaching the ground is mainly near-ultraviolet UV-A.

Because of the different nature of medical marijuana and recreational marijuana use, it is essential to know how to identify marijuana, a patient trying to use medical marijuana for therapeutic purposes never wants to use a drug that doesn't work for them, so in this article you will be told how to identify them.

Plants and crops have been proved to be able to provide ingredients to soothe and protect the skin. Actually, plants have been used in cosmetics since ancient times. Traditional treatment of skin with plants such as teas, ointments, hemp, and herbal oils are utilized to improve elasticity or medical conditions. Even nowadays, many ingredients in cosmetics and beauty products include crops or plants. The high demands of crop and plant ingredients have long been an attractive potential market. Indoor agriculture like a vertical farm, provides an opportunity for better quality, higher yields, and more profits. The wide use of indoor agriculture, in turn, contributes to more sustainable and natural cosmetics.

Adding far-red light, which are photons with wavelengths from 700-750 nanometers (nm), can increase the photosynthetic rate as plants now utilize light more efficiently to produce carbohydrates. We tested white LEDs that contain 2-8 percent far-red light and found there was an increase in the photosynthetic rate and efficiency compared to red/blue LEDs, which do not contain any far-red.

Many greenhouses are fitted with high quality LED grow lights to supplement lighting for plants. This enables plants to receive sufficient lighting and growers to reach higher yields. Apart from lighting, growers also want to maintain the air condition with desired temperature and humidity in greenhouses. But many loads such as the heat generated by lights and the CO2 enrichment, will affect indoor air conditions. Therefore, they utilize horticultural HVAC system. With optimal lighting, temperature, and humidity, growers are more likely to harvest plants with the best quality and maximum yields. However, commercial greenhouses are operated 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. The long running time costs high energy consumption, and it might increase the possibility of failure. Thus, learning how to make your greenhouse HVAC system more efficient is critical. It can help you improve HVAC performance and reduce costs.

CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) is still new to some growers. A successful CEA requires lots of practice and training. In CEA facilities, lighting plays an important role in quality, yield, and production of crops. Moreover, high energy costs and unsatisfactory lighting performance prompt growers to optimize their CEA lighting. They are looking for a more efficient CEA lighting solution to help them reduce electricity bills and maximize the return on investment. There are various lighting options in the horticulture lighting market. HID and LED are the common choices of most growers. Optimizing CEA lighting could mean switching from HID to LED grow lights, or retrofitting order HID to new HID luminaires. Whether replacing or refitting the existing lighting system, CEA lighting optimization requires a clear goal and thoughtful considerations.

Are you suffering from cannabis powdery mildew?

Fungal infections can be devastating for a dedicated grower.  

It's heartbreaking to see your plants destroyed by a relentless fungus after you've done your best to produce a high-quality product under ideal growing conditions.

More and more growers utilize horticulture lighting to achieve better plant growth, higher yields, and year-round production. Compared to traditional light sources, LED grow lights are more efficient and long-lasting. Therefore, LED grow lights are the most popular choices for horticulture lighting. Specific selection of LED grow lights depends on species of plants and their growing stages. Except for the efficiency, protection, spectrum, reliability, and other relevant factors, LED drivers should also be taken into account when choosing LED grow lights for your greenhouses, vertical farms, grow tents, etc. That is because every LED grow light requires a driver to function properly. Without quality drivers, LED grow lights may burn out. Thus, choosing the right LED grow light with the right LED driver is critical. Let’s learn more about LED drivers in this post.

Vertical farming has several applications, such as indoor and outdoor farming. According to 2022 market report by Allied Marker research, the vertical farming market size was valued at $3.24 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow from $4.21 billion in 2021 to $5.04 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.72%. Compared with data in 2020, the market size is projected to reach $24.11 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 22.9%.

Growing leafy greens at home is interesting and people can enjoy the foods grown by themselves. Spinach is one of the most popular leafy greens for salads and other recipes due to their rich vitamins and nutrients, healthy benefits, and fresh taste. If you want to grow spinach but lack of space and time, growing spinach at home in pots or containers is a good choice. Don’t worry. Spinach is a hardy leafy green, and it is easy to grow indoors. Even beginners can grow spinach successfully. Moreover, advanced agriculture technology like LED grow lights help you grow spinach at home with ease. You just need a bit of time and some essential tools to start home spinach cultivation.

UV light can be divided in four main categories, UV-A, UV-B, UV-C and Vacuum UV. The UV-C spectrum (200 to 280 nanometers) is the most lethal range of wavelengths for microorganisms. UV-C light has the ability to cause permanent damage to microorganisms.

The strong disinfection ability of UV lights is well-established. Traditional disinfection methods inactivate most pathogens to reduce infections. UVC light effectively inactivates most bacteria and viruses, but it maybe harmful to human eyes and skin. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic results increasing demands of more effective and safer methods to disinfect air and surfaces responsible for virus transmission. The new research found that 222nm far-UVC can kill bacteria and viruses effectively. But many growers may be confused about what is 222nm far-UVC? Will it damage human health? We will show you what you ought to know about 222nm far-UVC in this post.

Pest management is critical in commercial greenhouses or indoor cultivation. Pests and insects will damage plants and cause serious economic loss. Various pesticides are the common ways to fight pests and insects. But pesticides have potential toxicity to humans and plants. They can cause pollution to water and soil as well. So more and more growers utilize biological control, an IPM strategies, to manage pests and insects while reducing the use of pesticides. Adding LED lights in biological control is one of the effective ways in reducing the use of pesticides. As known, LED grow lights are used as the supplemental lighting or the sole light source for commercial growing, contributing to better plant quality, higher yields, and year-round production. But the use of LED lights in pest management is rarely addressed. How do LED lights manage pest issues? Why LEDs but not other light sources? Find the answer in this post.

Although they do grow well outdoors, there are a number of benefits to growing cucumbers inside a greenhouse. For one, cucumbers hate cold and frost, so they really thrive in a greenhouse environment. Another advantage is that you don’t need much room at all, and you can really take advantage of vertical space by using a trellis. Lastly, they simply grow quickly.

Tomatoes are delicious and will flourish in a greenhouse. They require a bit more care than some of the herbs you may be growing. You'll need to take some further steps to ensure that your tomatoes grow big and strong.

When it comes to growing tomatoes, the most important factor is light. Tomatoes need at least 12 hours of direct sunlight each day, and if you live in a colder climate or have limited natural light, you will need to use grow lights to supplement, We will also talk about how to choose the right light for your needs and provide some tips for getting the best results!

As an annual culinary herb, basil is popular with consumers because of their intense favor and fragrance. Its large crinkled leaves are edible. The sweet sense of leaves make it perfect for cooking and salad use. Many growers cultivate basil, and hope they can reap profits. However, the absence of sufficient sunlight during the winter or cloudy days is a huge challenge for quality, production, and market values of basil. Luckily, LED grow lights can make the basil grow better. Different light spectrum of LED grow lights help basil grow better through providing sufficient lighting, contributing to better taste and flavor and improving growth and morphology.

The potato is a crop of high nutritional and economic values. It is the common commercial crop cultivated in various ways including soil cultivation, hydroponics, and aeroponics. No matter in which growing methods, light is an essential factor that affects plant growth and development. You may confuse that potatoes tubers are grown under the soil in open fields, do they really need light? Although the edible tubers produced under the soil, potatoes have leafy plants above the ground. The potato plants do need light to growth. For commercial crop cultivation, potato plantlets grow in vitro without soil is popular. During the cultivation of potatoes, LED grow light can provide the light quality that plants need in certain growing stage. Knowing the effects of LED light spectrum on potatoes enables growers to provide the optimal light spectrum for their plants and improve production as well as reducing electricity bill.

When it comes to pumpkins, what comes to your mind? You might think of Halloween, fall, sweet flavor, and delicious pies. Thanks to the advanced technology, we can purchase pumpkins all year round. It means that pumpkins can be grown whenever and wherever we want. We can grow pumpkin indoors, in greenhouses, or even without soil. Indoor growing is a good choice for starting pumpkins. We have 7 tips to help you have a successful indoor pumpkin cultivation. Since pumpkins have large leaves and long vines, they need a large space. If you plan to grow pumpkin indoors from seeds to harvest, make sure you have enough space before start it. Moreover, supplemental lighting is needed because the natural light might be insufficient.

Looking back at human history, plague is a major disaster juxtaposed with famine and war. Plagues such as the black death and smallpox have killed hundreds of millions of people. Historical tragedies have been staged many times. Facing the threat of plague, do you think the virus is still far from you? Plague is characterized by fast transmission and high mortality, and is often related to bacterial diseases (such as pestis and cholera) and viruses (such as smallpox, influenza and AIDS virus).

The traditional open-field watermelon cultivation often failed because of the insect, pest, weeds, and unpredictable weather. The low yields and poor quality make growers loss money. Greenhouses is a great alternative for watermelon cultivation. By minimizing the impact of natural environment and providing the optimal growing environment in a greenhouse, growers are able to obtain higher yields and better quality. But improper practices of watermelon cultivation in a greenhouse may result in leggy and weak plants, poor fruits, and yield reduction. Here, we would like to show the guide to growing watermelon in a greenhouse and help you get a successful cultivation.

With energy costs soaring and the climate change crisis threatening global food security intensifying, that's why farmers are considering simply switching to LED grow lighting for energy savings, cost reductions and environmental benefits. LED grow lights are increasingly taking center stage as a more cost-effective solution, they offer sustainability, higher durability, and a longer lifespan. The first and simplest fact we all know about LED energy saving is that LED grow lights use less energy than traditional HID, MH, HPS.

Shipping is an essential part of importing from China to the US. Nowadays, many importers buy from wholesale sites, like Alibaba, Global Sources, or via web to contact manufacturer and place an order from China, etc.

Especially, when you ordering a few of led grow light, if you’re a distributor & reseller you will know it is huge package and heavy. People have to pay for that cost, means that costs lead to reduced profits.

Eggplants are planted on open fields traditionally. As a light-loving plant, eggplants grow well under sufficient natural lights. But when it comes to winter or cloudy days, growth of eggplants is limited. With the developments of environment control system, supplemental lighting and relevant technologies, eggplants can be grown successfully with both soil and soil-less system in a greenhouse. Greenhouse eggplants seem to be less popular than other greenhouse crops like tomatoes and peppers. But in fact, a well-controlled environment makes growing eggplant in greenhouses effective and profitable. Today, we would like to talk about how to grow eggplants in greenhouses. Let’s start it.

The combined market for medical marijuana and hemp in Thailand will expand by about 15% annually through 2025, when it’s likely to reach 43 billion baht ($1.2 billion), creating opportunities for growers and small businesses, according to the University of Thai Chamber of Commerce.

Thailand decriminalization cannabis on June 9 to help kickstart the economy, particularly in the agriculture, tourism and wellness sectors. But there have also be some citizens’ complaints and reports of substance abuse, prompting Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-Ocha to form a committee to assess usage and propose new regulations.

As far as we know, UV light is subdivided into three regions by wavelength from 100 to 380nm : UVA, UVB and UVC. Among them, UV-C spectrum covers wavelength from 200 to 280 nanometers. These wavelengths are known for the strongest germicidal effect, which they are able to kill 99.9% of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and mold spores.

Nowadays, more and more UV products are added to disinfect air and surfaces and protect human’s health, especially when the coronavirus has dug its claws in for the long haul around the world. If you look into these products, you would find some use UV-C 254nm light and some use Far UV-C 222nm light. What’s the difference between two options?

Many growers would like to switch from traditional HPS lights to LED grow lights aiming to reduce energy cost, increase efficiency, and get higher yields. It goes without saying that LED grow lights provide many advantaged over HPS lights. However, there are many differences between HPS and LED grow lights, such as the heat, spectrum, intensity, energy consumption, etc. These differences may also affect the growing environment and settings of relevant equipment. For commercial growers, the cost of HPS to LED transition can be tremendous. To achieve a good ROI and a successful transition, there are several things growers should know before starting switching from HPS to LED.  

Industrial hemp, a legal term, refers to hemp varieties that can be used for industrial purposes, which can be used for weaving or spinning, making ropes, weaving fishing nets and paper making. After the United States listed marijuana as a drug in the early 20th century, many countries followed suit and banned the use of marijuana. However, marijuana has multiple uses. Therefore, some countries legally allow the cultivation of some varieties of marijuana for industrial purposes.

The most common voltage in LED grow lights that one may meet is universal 110-265VAC. This main voltage is suited for households in most parts of the world.

However, greenhouses usually install 400VAC input lights. Atop lighting have both universal input LED lights (100-277Vac) and 277V-480VAC fixtures.

Our HL06 Horti-king 277V-480VAC solution is designed for the replacement traditional greenhouse and indoor farming HPS, MH, and CMH.

Have you ever wondered what will happen if the semiconductor components of the LED get wet? The consequences would be disastrous, with chips absorbing moisture and damaging LEDs, PCBs, and other components. Make your lights do nothing more than work. Therefore, LEDs are suitable for working in dry and low temperature. To ensure long-term stable operation of LEDs in harsh outdoor conditions, the waterproof structure design of the lamps is crucial.

Shiitake mushrooms are popular for their fragrant taste and benefits to health. The growth of natural shiitake mushroom highly depends on weathers, which results erratic production and yield. Indoor farming allows shiitake mushroom to be grown in a controlled environment on logs or sawdust. This environment has optimal humidity, lighting, temperature, etc. Indoor farming also enable mushrooms be produced in a wider range of infrastructures such as barns, outbuildings, warehouses, shipping containers, etc. Thanks to former advantages, growing shiitake mushroom indoors provides shorten production cycles, year-round production and higher yields. Indoor cultivation of shiitake mushroom is beneficial, but how to grow shiitake mushroom indoors?

Especially since the effect of far-red light on strawberries is not very well-documented yet, there are some data on its effect on tomatoes, but strawberries are a completely different crop. For example, in strawberries, you have short-day varieties – they need short days and long nights to initiate flowers and grow best – whereas tomatoes are day-neutral; they need about 6 hours of darkness, but theoretically they can be lit the rest of the time. Furthermore, strawberries, especially the Junebearers, have one flush, and then it’s over, but you can harvest tomatoes year-round as they have a constant plant load. Because the crops are so different, they also have different needs when it comes to light.”

Far Red Light: Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 700-800nm.

People become strong in adversity, and so do plants. Friedrich Nietzsche once said, "What does not kill me, makes me stronger.". Far-red light will not harm plants, but it will create a competitive environment for plants.

The lack of knowledge and experience leads to contradictory statements about plant growth. In fact, the response of plants to light and the influence of light on plant growth are very simple subjects. The light from the sun, which we think is white, is actually a mixture of different colors. The main colors of a light are red, blue and green.

It is impossible to give a definite answer, which color is more suitable for indoor plant growth. Plants need both red and blue light. These two colors have different effects on plants.

Among visible light, the most absorbed by green plants are red-orange light (wavelength 600-700 nm) and blue-violet light (wavelength 400-500 nm), of which red light is an essential light quality for normal crop growth and tops the number of biological requirements for various monochromatic light qualities. This is due to the fact that plants are sensitive to the red color of the spectrum, and this sensitivity stems from the fact that plants have red light receptors. The receptor for light sensitivity is a blue-green pigment called a photosensitive pigment present in plant cells. You can think of a photosensitive pigment as an eye that can only perceive red light.

We have provided many posts to help you use the LED grow lights more effectively and run a successful cultivation. These posts mainly included the explanation of the features of LED grow lights (PPFD, spectrum, CRI, etc) and guides to grow plants (tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberry, cannabis, sunflower, etc). But the electrical system of the grow rooms is also important for the high performance of LED grow lights. You may have noticed that the specification of some of our products indicating “AC Input Voltage: 100-240Vac / 100-270Vac / 277-480Vac”.

What does voltage mean? Are these products available for your grow rooms?

Roses are well-known for its showy flowers and delicate fragrance. They are often grown as ornamental and landscape plants. They also have high commercial values as perfume and cut flower crops. For rose growers, profit, or ROI (Return of Investment) is the key consideration for rose cultivation. Therefore, roses are grown in greenhouses widely with advance equipment and control system to achieve higher yields and year-round production. LED grow lights is one of the useful equipment to help growers reach their goal easier due to their high efficiency, low energy consumption, and long lifespan. So, how to use LED grow lights to get higher rose market price and allow growers reap more profits?

During the storage and processing of potatoes, the toxins solanine and chaconine are produced, resulting in the "green" germination of potatoes. This not only makes the potato tubers unsightly and unsuitable for trade, but also renders the potatoes inedible because the sugar phytoalkines and chaconines produced are toxic to humans.

According to the Dethlingen Experiment Station in May 2018, the formation of solanine was prevented by the "green light", and companies have successively studied the effect of green LEDs on potato storage.

It is no secret that certain wavelengths of light can kill microbes, like these being used in some public bathrooms and tests on airplanes for quick surface "cleaning." However, light sterilization typically uses light at a wavelength of 254nm, while useful for inactivating certain viruses, is dangerous to human eyes and skin.

In 2020, researchers at Hiroshima University in Japan have demonstrated that ultraviolet wavelengths that are safe to use around humans can also kill the virus that causes the new corona-virus. The newly published study is the first to show that far-ultraviolet light (Far-UVC) with a wavelength of 222nm is particularly effective against SARS-CoV-2, not just structurally similar corona-viruses.

On June 9, 2022, cannabis was dropped from the Class 5 drug list, which means people can grow cannabis at home indefinitely. In addition, 1,000 cannabis seedlings were distributed to the public at the event site, and the goal was to grow more than 1 million cannabis plants nationwide through the public. More than 150,000 people registered to grow cannabis in Thailand that day. Thailand has become the first country in Asia to legalize cannabis, with the aim of promoting its wider use in medicine, food and cosmetics.

Setting up an ideal irrigation system is critical for plant growth and health, especially in a greenhouse where the gardener has control over the moisture.

As a result, the irrigation system should be controllable and maintainable so that plants do not receive too much or too little water.

While using irrigation system in the greenhouse, IP65 waterproof or higher protection grade LED grow lights are supposed to have a superior performance than that without waterproof structure, protecting fixtures from wet and damp growing environment. Waterproof fixture is preferred to more commercial growers.

As we all know, LED lights can save much electricity costs and decrease heat production in the grow room. Let us to talk more standards to compare those two technology. It is no doubt that HPS technology is cheaper than LED lights. Usually 1000W HPS takes you below US$300. LED lights can produce more 40% efficiency than cheaper HPS lights.

Hops, water, malt, and yeast are the four basic raw materials for producing beer. Hops are essential for adding distinctive and better flavors for beers. With the explosion growth of craft brewing all over the world, the demand for hops has also increased. Many growers join the hop cultivation to reap profits. But traditional hop cultivation is hard to get plants grow as growers want. Climate condition including temperature, lighting, and water, plays an important role in hops cultivation. Recently, the use of supplemental lighting, in particular the LED grow lights, contributes to more successful hop production through enhancing root and leaves development, improving vegetative, and regulating flowering. Let’s take a look into the hop cultivation with LED grow lights.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, people have paid more and more attention to health and safety in public places. Driven by this huge market, many companies have introduced UVC lamps for disinfection and sterilization. UVC radiation is a known disinfectant for air, water, and nonporous surfaces. UVC radiation has effectively been used for decades to reduce the spread of bacteria, such as tuberculosis. For this reason, UVC lamps are often called "germicidal" lamps.

What is medicinal cannabis?

Medicinal cannabis is a term for derivatives of the Cannabis sativa plant that are used to ease symptoms caused by certain medical conditions. 

Cannabis sativa contains many active compounds. The delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) are well known. THC is known to cause psychoactive effects or let people “high”. CBD mostly has the effect as a medicine.

Ginseng, so called “green gold” , is popular for its medical benefits. It is believed that wild ginseng, especially the roots at an order age, has powerful curative effect. With the increasing demands of ginseng and advanced horticultural technologies, ginseng are planted in greenhouses or indoor farms with traditional soil cultivation or hydroponic system. However, unlike other commercial crops like tomatoes, cucumber, and strawberry, there is a little research about indoor ginseng. If you plan to grow ginseng indoors or wonder how to grow ginseng indoor, read this post. We will show you several 5 important things to know before growing ginseng indoors.

Some cannabis strains are known to be so easy to clone that you can actually make a cut, stick it in the dirt, and let it root. While it may require more effort than most cannabis strains, cloning is still a fairly easy and fairly painless process. Here are some of the most common cloning mistakes made by newcomers to cloning.

When it comes to greenhouse cultivation, supplemental lighting is important. Quality, yields, and productions of crops are highly depended on the amount of photosynthetic light they absorb. Artificial lights supplement light for crops during the dark or cloudy days, helping them grow better. However, only appropriate greenhouse lighting can create benefits and perfect results to crops. There are various factors to be considered for a successful greenhouse lighting system. How much light do crops need? What kinds of artificial light should you use? How to layout the fixtures? It is impossible to have a good result if you place too many or too few lighting fixtures on the top of crops. Therefore, you need a well-designed greenhouse light plan. With this light plan, you can maximize the use of artificial lights and get the best growth result with minimum lighting fixtures.

On June 10, 2022, according to the Financial Associated Press, citing BBC, CNN and other foreign media reports, Thailand officially announced the legalization of cannabis cultivation and smoking. Thailand has since become the first country in Asia to legalize cannabis. The bill legalizing cannabis went into effect on June 9. As a result, growing and trading cannabis in Thailand is no longer a crime, and cafes and restaurants can offer cannabis-infused diets as long as the THC content in the product is less than 0.2%.

Medical marijuana can help increase appetite and relieve vomiting in AIDS patients and those undergoing chemotherapy. It can help people suffering from insomnia, stress, and chronic pain, because cannabis is a potent anti-inflammatory, and it has been shown to help with epilepsy and even Tourette's syndrome.

People with epilepsy often use cannabis-based prescription drugs that have THC eliminated and contain high levels of CBD and cannabidiol. Clinical trials have shown that it is extremely effective in controlling seizures and could save many lives.

One report said that Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul plans to offer 1 million cannabis plants for free when household cultivation and use of the plant is legalized in June in Thailand, and people could also operate cannabis-related businesses and enterprises under the new rules. We got lots of inquiries about grow light for cannabis planting after that news come about.

The UKCA (UK Conformity Assessed)marking is a new UK product marking regulation that will be used in place of the CE mark in the UK market. On June 20, 2022, the UK government announced the following updated regulations. Conformity assessment documents for CE marking completed by manufacturers by December 31, 2022 can be used directly as the basis for the UKCA mark without the need for retesting. This provision is valid until the expiration of its CE-RED form of confirmation certificate or until December 31, 2027.

Intelligent investors always know that obtaining profits doesn’t mean to save cost, but make more earns, this is the reason why I write a story to explain effects of LED grow lights for cannabis. Return on investment (ROI) refers to how much money you will get back from the money you spend, grow lights are an investment that can pay off for you in a number of ways.

There are three basic types of grow lights available for indoor urban farming: Fluorescent grow lights, HPS or HID grow lights, and LED grow lights. However, we recommend LED grow lights over traditional HPS, CFL and MH lights. Here are a few reasons why we recommend LED grow lights over other types of grow lights:

1. LED Lights consume less power and are cheaper to run
2. They produce less heat than other types of lights
3. Due to their construction, they have almost five times less failure and virtually no accidental breakage
4. They do not contain any mercury and are therefore more environment-friendly
5. There are multiple LED grow light brands across various price points offering great after sales support

What is long-day plants?

Plants need a period of time in the process of growth and development. If the number of hours of sunlight per day exceeds a certain limit (more than 12 hours), flower buds can be formed. The longer the sunlight time, the earlier the flowering. All plants with this characteristic are called long-day plants, such as asters, echinacea, California poppies, lettuce, spinach, and potatoes, etc.

What is far-red light?

Far-red light is electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 700-800nm and it falls between the red and infrared regions of the spectrum. As for human, we will barely see it because it hangs out on the edge of the visible light spectrum. However, to our humble plants, far-red is a game-changer, manipulating both their morphology and ability to photosynthesize. Like UV light, far-red light is regarded as some“forgotten”spectrum.

This month, Thailand has decriminalized cannabis (also known as marijuana), which made it the first country in Southeast Asia to legalize cannabis. It is expected that the legalization of cannabis production can boot the economy. It is estimated that the market values of cannabis-related business will grow to 70 billion baht by 2024. Many growers see this legalization as a big opportunity.

Cannabis cultivation, particular industrial and commercial cultivation, requires appropriate lighting. There are multiple types of artificial grow light in the market, LED grow light is the most effective one to help growers seize the opportunity of cannabis legalization, achieving better quality, higher yields, and more profits.

In recent years, UVC has received unprecedented attention, and a huge part of it comes from the same demand, can UVC be sterilized?

The principle of UV sterilization is to use high-energy UV light to break the DNA double helix chain, thus achieving the inactivation of bacteria and viruses;

UVC to achieve effective sterilization needs to meet certain requirements, pay attention to the wavelength of the UVC light source, irradiation dose and time, that is, it must be a wavelength of 280nm below the UVC band of deep ultraviolet light, for different bacteria and viruses to meet a certain irradiation dose and time, otherwise it can not be inactivated.

There are multiple horticultural lights in the market, while LED grow lights are the most popular one. LED horticultural lights are widely used in greenhouses and vertical farms due to their low energy consumption, high efficiency, and long lifespan. However, installations or setups of grow lights is critical. Regardless of LED grow lights or conventional grow lights, using the wrong setup for horticultural applications may compromise the lighting effects. It will do harm to plants even worse. Therefore, to ensure the beneficial effects of horticultural lighting on plants, we should select the right installations. Today, we would talk about the three common types of lighting installations of horticultural applications, top lighting, interlighting, and vertical farming.

With people's more and more in-depth research on the spectrum, from simple white light, red light to UV, the pursuit of far red. When we want to know the effect of far-red light on short-day plants, we should learn what far-red is.

Plant photosynthesis absorption spectrum is mainly in the blue light of the 450nm band and the red light of the 660nm band. However, there is an EMERSON effect that proves that under the red light of about 735nm wavelength, the quantum efficiency of the photosynthesis is higher than that of this part of light.Usually regarded as the region between 700 and 750 nm wavelength, it is dimly visible to human eyes.

As we all known, when you meet one project request, you need to know how many lights the project needs, how to install the lights, which PPFD is suitable for plants growing and so on. Maybe you are confused and don’t know how to meet clients demand, luckily we Atop could provide free lighting simulation for you when you are in need. Here are the steps for you.

Whether it is a greenhouse or a plant factory, by using an intelligent control system to make a scientific "recipe" of light, temperature, water, CO2, relative humidity (RH), water, nutrient solution, etc., we can help growers achieve different growing zones with different goals, improve the taste and nutritional value of plants, save costs and maximize yields. The application of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) technology makes "Growing plants in space" and "Indoor growing rice" from a dream to a reality.

Typically, indoor grows, especially within greenhouses lack UV light. But real outdoor sunlit environments contain levels of UVA and UVB light.

Cannabis is the best example. UV light forces it to create more resin to protect itself, which means higher THC and CBD levels. For that reason, many marijuana growers look to add UV light to the final few weeks of the grow, when it has the most effect on the final product.

Full-spectrum plant light is based on the natural law of plant growth and the principle that plants use sunlight for photosynthesis, providing light sources for plant growth and development to better promote plant growth. The wavelength range of the light provided is 380nm-740nm, which can meet the growing needs of different crops and flowers.

According to its wavelength, UV (Ultraviolet) radiation is divided into three groups, UV-A (315 - 400 nm), UV-B (280 - 315 nm) and UV-C (100 - 280 nm). UV light is widely used in horticultural lighting for improving plant growth. For example, UV-A and UV-B can increase cannabinoids and protecting cannabis from disease and pests. UV-C light has been increasingly used for disinfection against COVID-19 in recent years. UV-C lights are effective in hospital sanitization. With the popularity of LED, the UV-C LED light is gradually replacing conventional UV-C lights, such as mercury and amalgam UV lights. Here, we would like to talk about the benefits of UV-C LEDs in horticulture.

As we know, cannabis has four growth stages: seeding, clone, vegetative and flowering, different growth stage needs different hours of light and hours of darkness. During the flowering stage, we need to ensure the true 0-10V dimming, as the flowering stage occurs naturally when plants receive less than 12 hours of light a day. For cannabis to completely enter the flowering stage it requires periods of 12 hours of complete darkness.

In addition to natural light, artificial lighting is the preferred choice for gardening, whether in a greenhouse or indoor growing. "Managing energy costs" is the biggest challenge growers face when it comes to lighting. Managing Heat Load, automation and Lighting Effects on Plant Growth each have a partial impact. I will analyze the advantages of replacing HPS with top lighting from these aspects.

LED grow lights are widely used in vertical farms, greenhouse, and other horticulture applications to help plants grow better. When selecting LED grow lights, growers may pay attention to the specifications such as wattage, PPF, weight, certification, etc. But few of them notice the chip of LED grow lights. Similarly, LED grow light manufactures seldom indicate the chips of their horticulture lighting products. In fact, the chip is one of the most important components of LED grow lights. It plays a critical role on the light spectrum and photon flux, which is vital for plant growth. Premium quality LED chips can provide optimal lighting for plants. And with that, growers can achieve better quality and higher yields.  

As we all know, plant lighting applications are quite challenging for LED power design. Due to the constant illumination of plants in the growth cycle, depends on the stable power supply of LED lighting lamps, so high power and high durability is the basic requirement of LED plant lamp drive power. At the same time, in order to avoid plant growth affected by temperature, high heat dissipation of the power supply is also very important.

Now when it comes to grow lights, you would mention LED series, HPS series, and fluorescent tube series, and you probably won't say that you should use a colorful light strips as supplement light for plants, but when the earliest grow lights appeared, many people used light strips, including some companies that make vertical grow trolley systems, are still in use, but there are fewer and fewer. Why cause this? On the contrary, why do LED grow light become more and more popular? This is what I want to express in this article.

The UK will leave the EU single market on 31 December 2020 at 11pm. From 1 January 2021 the UK Conformity Assessment or UKCA marking will gradually replace the UK CE marking, for most goods, the CE marking will end on 31 December 2022, and a transition period during this period is acceptable.

Nowadays, the pressure on global food supply is increasing. The continued urbanization and population growth make the land shortage even worse. Thus, more and more growers utilize indoor growing such as greenhouses and vertical farms to increase food production. However, archiving profitable cultivation is not easy. Expenses of the labor, artificial lights, energy, and others are of high cost to remain the optimal environment for plants. Except for labor cost, energy is the largest cost in indoor cultivation. Therefore, energy efficiency is critical. An energy-efficient indoor growing system can help growers save cost significantly.

Want to know how to lower energy cost in indoor growing?

Read this post, we will show you 5 effective tips to improve energy efficiency.

In the past decade, CBD has become more and more popular in Europe, and CBD consumer products have penetrated into all walks of life in Europe, with the continuous application of CBD research results and the continuous expansion of the audience. In the UK, for example, CBD products were used by 11% of UK residents last year, or around 7.3 million people, according to a YouGov survey. The application of CBD in health, wellness, beauty and personal care has attracted more and more British consumers to use CBD products.

Growers are familiar with spring cleaning as the greenhouse is nearly empty during the short period before spring sowing. Thus, spring cleaning is more prevalent in cold winter. Cleaning and sanitizing the greenhouse between the crop cycles is a good way to eliminate the issues and get ready for the next cultivation. Problems like pets, diseases and algae can be reduced or solved with the spring cleaning. For commercial and large scale greenhouses, the greenhouse and equipment serve production almost year-round. After a long term working period, it is also a good chance for repairing and maintaining greenhouse structures and equipment. But how to best clean a greenhouse? This post will show you 8 tips for the winter cleanup and sanitation to get your greenhouse ready for spring.

Fresh strawberries! They are one of the most popular, refreshing, healthy treats on the planet. Perfect for everything from cheesecake to mojito to jam. These sweet, slightly tart berries rank among the top 10 fruits and vegetables for antioxidant content! May is National Strawberry Month, so pull out your recipes. Strawberries and spring are a perfect match, so May is a great time to celebrate. Today we are going to share several cultivation ways of strawberry with you, greenhouses, vertical towers and vertical farm.

As we all know from news that legal of cannabis is getting widespread, Back to Election Day in 2012, voters in Colorado approved a ballot initiative legalizing the entertaining use and sale of cannabis, making the state the first in the U.S. to do so. Seventeen other states, Washington, D.C., and Guam would go on to legalize the drug in the next nine years as public support for legalization rose rapidly – despite marijuana being illegal at the federal level.

When growing clone cannabis either commercially or just for yourself, you need to have the right type of light to meet your clone babies' needs. Generally, growers decide between a few clone lighting options, such as LED clone lights, and fluorescent lights. Today we’ll be discussing LED and fluorescent grow lights, that the most used in developing cannabis cloning.

Greenhouses typically require six hours of direct or full-spectrum light a day. If this cannot be done naturally, supplemental lighting must be incorporated. Supplemental lighting is the use of a variety of high-intensity artificial lighting to promote crop growth and yield. Hobbyists like to use them to maintain growth and extend the growing season, while commercial growers like to use them to increase yields and profits.

Many LED grow light manufacturers claim that their fixtures have an IP rating. IP65 and IP54 are the two most common IP ratings of LED grow lights. However, what is the IP rating? Is it important for a LED grow light?

Well, many growers misunderstand the IP rating as the waterproof protection of LED grow lights. In fact, IP rating refers to the ingress protection rating. It is more than water resistance. Furthermore, IP rating is critical for a LED grow light.

Every summer, there is a kind of fresh, sweet, and juicy fruit that can always arouse people's expectation of summer, that is strawberry. With the improvement in living standards, people consume more strawberries year by year. For some cities with high population density, indoor planting strawberries is becoming more and more popular. In greenhouses, we often see strawberries growing under pink light. This is because, during the day, strawberries receive a lot of sunlight, i.e. the full spectrum; Therefore, we only need to provide them with a lot of red light at night to promote flowering so that we can get more fresh and sweet fruits and increase the yield.

As mentioned in our previous post, legalization of cannabis cultivation will continue in this year. More growers will move to indoor cannabis cultivation. Since the price of flower dropped rapidly in 2021, industrial and medical cannabis growers focus on the production efficiency. One of the key factors of higher cannabis production is the appropriate lighting. Generally, growers utilize artificial grow lights from growing cannabis. T5 tube and LED grow light are two common options for most growers. But it is not easy to make a choice between them. This post will take a look at the differences between T5 tubes and LED grow lights, so you can select the one that is best for your cannabis cultivation.

Did you really know the effects of Far-red on cannabis?

The research shows that when you use it right, far-red light can reduce the flowering period by up to 15% and enable quicker crop turnover. An increasing number of horticultural lights incorporate FR, so it may come as a surprise that FR is not photosynthetically active; it does not drive photosynthesis directly.

When you use plant lights to grow cannabis, usually hanging LED grow lights are preferred, but because of the hanging on top, the light is only accessible at the highest part of the crop. Therefore, it is normal to have popcorn buds on the top bar but not enough, in the other words the inside buds on the inter canopy are tiny pieces also with a lower level of quality, that doesn't cut it that is not a goal for people who try to choose to grow lights to expand harvest.

Greenhouse requires led light to promote crop growth and yield. Also, it plays an important role in photosynthesis. In summer it is important to bring enough shade for plants. Besides, in winter the lighting requirements change because low light along with low temperatures can cause plant growth to slow down.

COVID-19 has exposed weaknesses in our complex food distribution logistics system. We need to protect our food supply from weather, seasons, time, distance, epidemics, pests, natural disasters, seasons, lack of control. Climate change, increasingly scarce arable land and growing urban populations are also making traditional agriculture increasingly unstable and resource inefficient. In this context, will vertical farming be the development trend of our future farming?

The cannabis industry, including medical and recreational cannabis, growing about 20% to 30% from 2016 to 2021. In 2022, the cannabis industry is expected continue to grow. Most botanical medicines are cultivated and produced in limited countries. In contrast, cannabis is cultivated almost all over the world. In other words, cannabis industry is such a competitive and fast changing market. Commercial cultivators have to pay attention to the trends to reap more profits. However, relevant policies, production, and technology are changing fast. To handle the rapid changing market and achieve desired growth, it is critical to know the trends of commercial cannabis cultivation for this year. This post will talk about five trends that are vital for commercial cannabis cultivation in 2022.

When it comes to horticultural top lighting, which types of grow lighting you will think of? MHL, HPS or LED? Yes, with the development of grow technology and practices, growers have more lighting options and lighting is one of the most important and controllable factors in the greenhouse setup or indoor farming, how to choose an ideal or suitable for different applications is essential.

HL06-600 4 channel Top lighting LED Grow Light, a full-cycle top lighting solution for cannabis plants. Focusing light energy and better uniform spectral distribution, more efficient comparison with common grow lights. The simplicity of installation and use makes it an ideal solution for achieving high and uniform lighting levels in greenhouse and indoor sole-source applications.

The 'LED revolution' is seeing more updated lighting products come onto the market to help growers save energy and improve efficiency.

Atop lighting development inter-lighting since 2016. In 2017, Ledinside reported our first-generation Horti-Bar inter-canopy grow light. And saw over 1Ha of Horti-Bar E version grow light installations 2017 for the Russian cucumber project.

Grow lights are widely used in greenhouses and vertical farms. Many growers concentrate on the cost, spectra, and efficiency of grow lights when they utilize them to improve plant growth. There is no doubt that these factors have significant effects on plant growth, production, and yields. But maintenance of grow lights is also important. Plants benefit from the right operation of grow lights. Just consider several questions. Have you ever paid attention to grow lights themselves? Have you noticed the dust on grow lights? Have you ever thought about replacing traditional grow lights to more efficient LED grow lights?

Well, it is time to maintain your grow lights. Keeping grow lights in the best working performance is beneficial for your plants.

Seoul Sunlike led is the natural spectrum LED, with nearly sunlight spectrum. We offer with the Sunlike LEDs from Seoul Semiconductor innovative full-spectrum LED, whose light almost corresponds to sunlight and is perfectly matched to the leafy greens in vertical farming.

DLC has been in existence for over a decade and has been driving the development of commercial lighting energy efficiency.With the goal of credible evaluation of lighting products to increase growers' trust in energy-efficient technologies.

Growing seedlings indoor is a good way to save the cost of equipment for heating and ventilation in a greenhouse. But it is also complicated because some plants require a large amount of light while others do not. Most growers place seedlings near the window to let them absorb natural lights. But it doesn’t work in a commercial production. Insufficient light during cold months and cloudy days forces seedlings to stretch and grow lanky. Furthermore, lanky seedlings may be too weak to survive. In contrast, seedlings grown in adequate lighting environment are more likely to grow lush and robust plants. Therefore, more and more growers utilize artificial lights to supplement light for seedlings. Whether growers use artificial grow light or not, there are multiple questions about the indoor seedling cultivation. This post will focus on the common questions about the lighting on indoor seedlings.

CRI, the abbreviation of Color Rendering Index, is a critical factor evaluating the light quality. When we select lighting fixtures to increase our visibility and brighten the environment, CRI is one of the common parameters in specification sheets. However, it seems that CRI is not an important factor always valid for all lighting fixtures. Some grow light manufacturers indicate CRI values while others do not. This chaotic phenomenon makes most growers confusing. They don’t know whether CRI is important for plant growth. If CRI is vital for plant growth, what is the optimal value? If not, why CRI does not have significant impact on plant growth? Since some growers may not have a clear concept of CRI, this post will introduce CRI first. And then, we will talk about whether CRI plays an important role on plant growth.

In recent years, greenhouse cultivation and vertical farming are becoming more and more popular. Some crops are being able to cultivate in large scale and commercial production. From controlling the growing environment precisely for crops, they not only produce more food for humans, but also save the lands and spaces. Regardless of greenhouse or indoor vertical farms, light is one of the key factors of growing environment that affects the growth of crops. Since the lighting strategies depends on multiple factors, such as cultivars, planted locations, and growing stages of crops, providing appropriate light for crops is complex and difficult for most growers. This post would like to show you the lighting guides to 6 common commercial crops. Though there are various grow light types in the market, LED grow lights stand out from others due to their low energy consumption, long lifespan, and high efficiency. LED grow lights are used as sole light source for indoor vertical farms and the supplemental light source for the greenhouse. Therefore, the lighting guides in this post are based on LED grow lights. The six common commercial crops are lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, strawberry, and hemp.

The answer is, yes. LED grow light have effects on the taste and smell of plants. It is well-known that LED grow light have positive effects on plant growth, production, and yields. Addition of LED grow lights adds value to indoor growing, achieving optimal growth, year-round production, and higher yield. It also enables growers reap more profits. But more does not mean better. Only the improved production and yields cannot meet the increasing market needs. Regardless of the vegetables, fruits, or flowers, people have various requirements for their quality. The quality of plants includes the appearance, color, taste, smell, texture, etc. Growers want their crops to have more attractive color and appearance. Similarly, customers require higher quality plants. They may want sweeter flavor, fresher taste, or better smell. Taste and smell are the key factors of plans’ quality. As known, the taste of plants depends on plant cultivars. Nowadays, with the advanced cultivation techniques, the taste and smell of plants can be enhanced. LED grow light is one of the effective techniques which can effect the taste and smell of the plants. This post will take a look at the effects of LED grow lights on the taste and smell of plants.

In recent years, CEA is popular with indoor cultivation. Growers strive to provide optimal environment to improve growth, quality, and yield. Since light is the major source for photosynthesis, artificial grow lights are utilized in greenhouses and vertical farms to supplement light for plants. Artificial lights increase the resistance to bad weather, enabling plants absorb sufficient light in the winter or cloudy days. However, important factors for photosynthesis and plant growth are more than light. Water, CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), humidity, and nutrients are also critical. Even if under the optimal lighting condition, plant growth is limited due to the lack of water, CO2, or other growing factors. Unlike water and nutrients, CO2 is often ignored in indoor cultivation, in particular the tightly-sealed greenhouses. But CO2 is an indispensable component of photosynthesis. There are various studies focused on the individual effect of supplemental light or CO2 enrichment on plants, while few studies concentrated on their interactions. In fact, research shown interaction of supplemental light and CO2 enrichment improved plant growth. This post would like to talk about the effects of CO2 enrichment and supplemental lights on each other, as well as their interaction on plant growth.

Light is one of the most important energy sources for plants. Adequate amount and duration of light benefits photosynthesis and promotes plant growth. In summer, it is not a serious problem; but for autumn and winter days, light is generally inadequate for plants to thrive. Modern greenhouses utilize artificial grow lights to supplement light for plants. To figure out the optimal light that plants need, a number of measurements are used to calculate the light quantity, light level, and light intensity. Growers are familiar with the terms ‘PAR’, ‘PPF’, and ‘PPFD’. Nowadays, most growers also be cognizant of the term ‘daily light integral (DLI)’, which is the total amount of light in the PAR range that a plant received per day. Plant growth is associated with DLI in the greenhouse. A better understanding of DLI helps grower understand plants’ need more accurately and provide supplemental light for plants more precisely. This post is divided to 4 parts. The first part will introduce the concept of DLI. It will then show you the effects of DLI on greenhouse horticulture, followed by methods for calculating greenhouse DLI. Lastly, it will tell you how much DLI do your plants need.

Indoor growing increases the resistance to extreme weathers and climate changes. With the advanced technology and multiple sensors, grows can monitor and control the growing environment including temperature, humidity, CO2, lighting, and ventilation more precisely. Artificial light is one of the most important factors for the controlled growing environment, which also is critical for robust growth of crops. The artificial light supplements light for crops during dark or bad weather periods. But for some indoor growing applications like vertical farms and grow tents, the over long working time can cause high energy cost. Growers want to know if they can provide effective supplemental light for crops, as well as saving energy consumption. Especially the energy prices are higher than ever. The dimmable grow light seems to be an ideal solution to reach their goal. However, many growers doubt the effectiveness of dimmable grow lights and worry about the negative effects on crops. It is a common and frequent problem for growers that whether they really need dimmable grow lights. In this post, let us take a look at the dimmable grow lights. This post will show you the concept and effects of dimming grow lights, and the reason for selecting dimmable LED grow lights.

Grow tents provide a convenient and compact way for indoor growing. Grow tents take less space and time to set up than grow rooms. With the additions of fans, LED grow lights, thermometers, and other tools, growers can control the growing environment in the tent freely. Since the growing factors for each grow tent can be controlled individually, growers are able to create different environments for the plants in different grow tents within the same room. Higher productions and yields are achievable in optimal growing environment. Due to the limited space and insufficient natural light of indoor environment, LED grow lights are critical. LED grow lights offer mimic sunlight and supplement light during winter days and bad weather periods. Although grow tents are beneficial for indoor growing, growers cannot gain the desired results without right LED grow light selection. It is just a waste of money and energy for adding wrong LED grow light for grow tent. This post will show you 5 tips to select the right LED grow light for your grow tent.

There is no doubt about the importance of light for plants. Light is one of the leading source of photosynthesis, which is critical for plant growth. Nowadays, sunlight and artificial grow light are frequently utilized for growing. Sunlight is natural, and it is the common light source for plants. With advanced technology, LED grow lights are widely used in both commercial and home growing due to their high efficient sunlight mimicry and custom spectrum. Regardless of artificial light or sunlight, there are three basic factors for calculating lighting efficiency, lighting intensity (total amount of light plants received), duration (time or periods of light that plants is received during 24 hours), and quality of light (wavelength of light). But growers also consider the total cost while they use artificial lights. When it comes to the selection of light source, growers may scratch their heads and wondering which light source is better. This post would like to talk about artificial grow light and sunlight, and their benefits and limitations.

It is well known that we are facing rapidly increased population and serious climate change, which may cause food shortage. Vertical farming is one of the solutions to feed more people with fewer lands and space. It is a soil-less cultivation method that growing crops vertically through stacked layers. Vertical farming usually applies CEA (Controlled Environment Agriculture) technique to optimize the growing environment for crops. Factors such as temperature, nutrient, and water are carefully controlled in vertical farming. In theory, vertical farming is able to grow all crops. The five main grown crops are leafy greens, herbs, microgreens, flower, and tomatoes, of which leafy greens are the most planted. This post would like to talk about the benefits and challenges of growing leafy greens with vertical farming.

The answer is “Yes”. Green light affects the growth and development of cannabis. It is well known that blue light is beneficial for vegetative and red light is useful for flowering. But effects of green light on cannabis are often overlooked. Plants appear green as they absorb red light and blue light more efficiently and reflect green light. Meanwhile, human vision is more sensitive to green light than other visible lights. That is why green light is seen as negligible wavelengths for cannabis. In fact, only less than 10% of the green light is reflected. The rest of green light is still absorbed or penetrated by the leaves of plants. Thus, green light affects cannabis growth and it is important and useful for cannabis.

Sunflowers are regarded as the symbol of positivity. Their bright yellow flowers and tall stems evoke an aspiring and energetic feeling. Sunflowers are also known as their tilt heads that always tracking to the sun before blooming during the day. Although outdoor sunflowers are able to absorb more sunlight, they are threatened by chewing insects and birds. Therefore, indoor growing is an alternative and safer optional for sunflowers. It goes without saying that light is critical for sunflowers. Light is the leading source of photosynthesis. LED growing lights, which are designed to mimic sunlight, provide an opportunity for indoor sunflowers growing. Horti-King is one of the LED grow lights that is beneficial for indoor sunflowers. This post would like talk about how to grow sunflower indoors with Horti-King LED grow light.

It seems that ‘CEA’ is popular these days and it sounds familiar to most people in the filed related with agriculture. But you may scratch you head about what is CEA in agriculture. CEA is an abbreviation of ‘Controlled Environment Agriculture’. In simple words, CEA is a high-tech approach to gain a more sustainable food and plants production and fight against climate change and shortage of arable land. A large number of researches of CEA are made to find out the optimal environment condition to food and plants growth. Let’s take a look at a more comprehensive instruction about CEA in agriculture.

Light is really important for the growth of plants. Photosynthesis, germination and growth form are highly rely on light. Plants react variously according to season or even time of day in natural. Photoreceptor in plants sense the light changes, such as light intensity, light quality, light period, etc. The reactions to light changes control the whole lifetime from germination to the end of seed production. Convention cultivation was limited by the weather condition as well as climate change. Development of LED grow lights provides an option for optimizing growth, productivity and even customized morphology without weather and climate limitation.

Cannabis was grown primarily as textile material due to its long and tough fibers long times ago. Awareness of the medical use of cannabis were raising over time. Cannabis was popular and widely used as analgesic around the 10th century. However, consumption of medical use of cannabis was rapidly declined by 20th century. Cannabis was defined as drug without medical uses in this period. Later, multiple studies and researches proved the medical use of cannabis, including effects to relieve pain, seizure disorders, improve appetite and other diseases. These efforts motivated the movement of recognizing medical value of cannabis. Nowadays, cannabis are not only used for industry, but also the medication. Cultivation and trade of medical cannabis are permitted in some of the countries.

As we all know, photosynthesis is critical for plants growing. Plants absorb and convert light energy to chemical energy for their growth. But the climate change and the shortage of land resource urge the development of indoor growing, such as vertical farming and greenhouse. To support indoor growing, artificial grow lights are added. Most of them concentrate on the photons from 400 nm to 700 nm, which is the efficient range of photosynthesis.

Every stage of cannabis plants growing in their life cycle requires different growing environment and lighting quality. Only knowing the features of each stage, can we classified the specific growing stage and optimize growing factors.

For indoor cannabis plants growing, it is significant to supplement lighting and mimic natural lighting cycle from day to night. The light cycle refers to the grow lights being on or off during 24 hours. Long lighting time does not means better cannabis plants quality, darkness is also important for cannabis plants. Lighting schedule should base on the needs of cannabis plants in different stages.

With the development of urbanization and the increase of urban population, food supply is critical for all over the world. It was estimated that global urban land cover will increase to 1,200,000 km² in 2050. The shortage of plantation urges people to study modern farming solutions, which is aimed to increase food production in a limited space. Greenhouse framing is one of the cultivation way to grow flowers, vegetables, fruits, and crops in all year round, improving yield and resisting the impact of climate changes. Nowadays, greenhouse is becoming more and more intelligent and smart with the progressive technology. It is environmental friendly and eco-friendly. Tough greenhouse still has shortcomings, it will be autonomous and of high-tech in the future. Constantly learning and developing new technologies so that we can solve the problems in near future.