Posted on 09/03/2017 11:29:17 PM PDT by Oshkalaboomboom
As a self-confessed science geek I am fascinated by technology. Yet in the world of gardening this is often synonymous with the gimmicky (fiberglass meerkat solar light, anyone?) or the hugely complex and costly – think hydroponic growers that require a degree in electrical engineering to install. So it was with trepidation that I started experimenting with LED grow lights last winter in my tiny flat.
Nine months down the line I am a total convert, eulogizing about them to all my gardening mates. They are something I feel could be a gamechanger to many modern gardeners, if we could only get over our preconceptions. This is why…
Once upon a time grow lamps were massive, ungainly things – fluorescent tubes more than a meter long that required complex and hideous systems of stands, cables and reflectors. They were real power guzzlers, too, so not exactly great for the planet, or your wallet – which would already have taken a pretty eye-watering hit from the price of all the kit. They even kicked out quite a bit of heat, which apart from raising safety issues, could also damage the very plants you were trying to grow.
However, recent breakthroughs in LED technology have created a new generation of effective, cool-running grow lights that cost a fraction of the old-school behemoths both to buy and to run, consuming (according to some manufacturers) 90% less energy. Crucially, they have shrunk down enough to be easily incorporated into average living room decor, some seamlessly integrated into planter-cum-lamp designs.
Others are light and thin enough to be fixed pretty much invisibly into standard flat-pack shelves, turning existing pieces of furniture in my house into instant growing units. These LED lights are becoming increasingly widely available online and even at a certain Scandinavian home store.
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
pfl
Interesting post. Thanks!
My Spanish isn’t good enough to keep up with societal issues and intend on keeping it that way. I have enough problems dealing with English speaking liberals, no need to add another country to the mix.
We live in a resort area and all of the layabouts we see passed out appear to be alcoholics, not druggies. Our proximity to Africa makes it a gateway for drug smugglers so I do read about large seizures of cocaine, heroin and hashish but I don’t know if that is for locals or destined for other parts of Europe.
So, you are not working on becoming a Hispanic?
Serious question. As someone who consumes peppers with just about every meal. what is the purpose behind a pepper with a 1 mil Scoville rating? The Hatch Valley greens and reds plus various jalapeno’s are eaten daily in this house.
http://www.orionlighting.com/product/
Until some of the current manufacturers such as Philips, Samsung and OSRAM build manufacturing facilities in this country, all of the component parts such as the LED’s, the boards they are mounted on and the drivers (transformers) will be made offshore. But this company manufactures most of their products in Wisconsin.
If you are lucky, you will suffer only thousands of dollars in property damage and a dead family dog. Of course there will forfeiture of any cash or vehicles. Gotta pay the swat team, dontcha know?
Keeps the electric meter from spinning like a top and excessive usage down in those illegal grow houses, hence arrest
Put some in a few dozen brownies and send them to me - I’ll “analyze” them and let you know if they seem organic to me....
Thats the same question I would have. A small amount of hot peppers goes very far.
If you dry the peppers or turn them into sauces you can control the heat and keep the flavor. The people you see eating whole Reapers on youtube are just doing it for the novelty. I also grow Jalapenos and Tabascos for mild heat and I am trying to get my Datils started again for medium heat. I had to start from scratch when we left America for Spain.
If you search my posts for one called Hello From Spain I go into our move in more detail.
I grew Tabasco peppers. They are plenty hot yet retain flavor.
The Guardian = lefty magazine. They wouldn’t be encouraging growing pot, would they?
Good. *ssh*les. Too many innocent people being subjected to SWAT raids for the CRIME og starting vegetable seedlings in their basements.
Mine are loaded.
Spot on. Shame to see so many Freepers supporting these half-wits.
Lived in Spain for 4 years, near Rota, in El Puerto De Santa Maria, 2000 to 2004. Loved the weather, food and the people, and easy travel to the rest of Europe and North Africa.
Much different there today I imagine. But pot was growing in the open even back then. It was everywhere.
I am considering getting chickens again and growing their winter food under grow lamps. Looks feasible in the garage. Bag of seed less expensive than bags of feed. Healthier too.
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