Many sophisticated growers shun fluorescent lighting after they discover the efficacy of high pressure sodium and metal halide lighting. But the best growers know that there is always a place for fluorescent lighting in a grow room.

In most growing operations, metal halide light bulbs are the workhorses, usually on for 16-24 hours a day during the plant’s vegetative stage to promote a healthy branch system and foliage that increases plant metabolism and will ultimately lead to a bigger plant with greater yield. Once the plant has reached optimal size for yield, flowering is usually initiated by switching to high pressure sodium lighting, which – with its red-heavy spectrum – easily induces flowering when “daylight” hours are dropped to below 12.

But along the way, fluorescent lighting in the form of t5 bulbs can play a crucial role in any growing operation. Here are a few of ways that employing “old school” fluorescent lighting can reduce costs and improve the growing environment.

First, fluorescent lighting is ideal for germination, seedlings, and clones. Seeds and small plants don’t necessarily have the resilience to handle the high heat of metal halide. Fluorescent lighting can provide greater intensity at lower heat giving plants a head start versus using a further-away metal halide light.

Second, t5 bulbs make a great compliment to metal halides or even LED grow panels. Thick foliage can often shade lower leaves and flowers from light that can create a more robust plant. A few fluorescent bulbs on the ground or on the wall, coupled with reflectors, can dramatically increase overall plant metabolism and can have a truly shocking impact on overall yield for the small cost of the fluorescent lights.

Third, fluorescent bulbs are a good way of directing light at specific heights, including to the top of the plant, where the grower wants to emphasize strength for yield.

Of course that fluorescent lighting uses much less power than metal halide, high pressure sodium, and incandescent lighting also makes it a good choice for all applications where the most intense, bluest spectrum isn’t needed (besides flowering). So even if growers have discovered the effectiveness of metal halide in conjunction with HPS, it is still within their best interest to invest in a few fluorescent bulbs for germinating and cloning, and focusing on specific areas of a plant or garden that could benefit from a little extra light and spectrum without much added heat.

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