Increase the efficiency of your grow lights by 75% with these simple tips

Grow lights can be expensive, in this video, Luke shows you how to use your grow lights to make them more efficient.
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Thank you all so much for watching and Grow BIG!

[BrianGoodman]

Mylar space blankets are $1, add in some cloths pins and you can build your own grow tent by wrapping a shelf in them.

[j.b.]

One tip if you are using shop lights to start seeds is take the diffuser cover off if you can. It will increase the light output.

[biffmalibu]

I use the chrome bubble wrap insulation. It's cheap and easy to work with. Big box stores sell it.

[CKG]

We used Mylar emergency blankets wrapped around entire shelving unit overlapped in front for a makeshift door in the middle. All light kept inside. They’re cheaper than most spray paint and easy to find. Amazon dollar store big box stores… it does make a huge difference! Thanks MiGardener! Love your videos.

[dianagreene]

Talking about flat white paint reminds me of the Mythbusters episode where they tried light a "tomb" with a series of mirrors to bring in light from outside. At the end of all the Fancy testing, they had one mirror directing light into the room and Jamie stepped into the ray and his white button down shirt lit the whole room brighter and more evenly than all their other tests.

[naturekins]

The best cheapest option I have found is survival blankets you get at the dollar store. Super reflective and cheap, you can wrap it around s piece of cardboard if you need it to stand alone.

[castaspell]

Just used a pure white dollar tree craft cardboard I had laying around, used some clothes pins to secure it on my shelf and wow, what a difference ! Thank you do much, great tipp ! I am a beginner and have just 2 Micro green, 1/4 trays .5 days old and I can see a huge difference

[romieh]

I use the mylar emergency blankets you can get. They are cheap and work great

[ForestToFarm]

Lots of comments say aluminum foil. If you go that way I would suggest crimping/crinkling it up a bit first. Then straighten it back out. The uneven surface will give a much better diffusion/distribution of light and not create that spotlight effect.
Terry

[EBarker]

I wrap my whole seed starting rack in mylar film 😊
It completely eliminates the need for heat mats because the heat from the lights are so much warmer because of the film holding moisture, warmth and light!

[joesqudy]

I love this community and how the knowledge base keeps growing, and we all help each other. God bless you all. And again thank you Luke for always providing great information and helping us grow big, not only in our garden but in our minds, especially in these times. ❌⭕️♥️

[tamararoberts]

I've been using cardboard covered with aluminum foil ( that lasts forever). Gardener Scott made me think of it years ago. Never thought about other methods before. I'm always learning, ty 😊

[lindaannb]

This is very helpful! I just set up my lights and was wondering how to reflect the light back on my plants. I’m so glad you prevented me from experimenting with mirrors!

[darlene]

I love your energy and enthusiasm. Bless you and this beautiful community.

[christopherfountain]

I just setup a stainless steel shelf unit for starting seedlings for my raised beds. I bought a roll of reflective bubble wrap to reflect back as much light as possible. Really effective in bouncing back lost light placed leftover wrap under plants also! Best $10.00 spent! Btw using Spider farmer SF 1000 EVO 2024
Everything is thriving.

[ruthcowden]

I've been starting plants for over 40 years and wondered about this. Thanks for this useful information! Great video.

[kenyakingsbury]

Thanks! I didn't realize the reflector made such a difference! I'll be hitting the dollar store to look for mylar blankets this weekend. Thanks Luke and everyone for the great information

[tyeamckee]

Thank you so much for the reflector tip. My back wall is a dark brick wall that just absorbs light and I have always had trouble with getting enough light to my plants indoors. This might do the trick!

[Earthy-Artist]

I use sheets hanging near to {but not onto} my grow lights. I initially began doing this because my seed starting station is near our back door when someone opens it up a draft comes inside & winters here are cold. I used light colored sheets to keep the draft off my seedlings and with the side benefit of bouncing & utilizing the reflected light😀👍.

[MK-tioo]

I scored a 25 foot roll of the silver window film and a silver windshield shade at the thrift store today for $4. I used aluminum foil lined in a box for a couple years in a window before I had grow lights or a greenhouse and that alone took me from leggy tomato seedlings to lush healthy seedlings, you seriously couldn't tell they were started inside with no lights.