Hi greengobuilder,
Well, the most obvious answer to your question would be MUSHROOMS!
Light required: none.
WHY DO MUSHROOMS GROW IN THE DARK? BECAUSE THEY CAN!
http://www.moneys.com/learn_main_cult.htm
Mushrooms
VEGETABLE CROPS PRODUCTION GUIDE FOR THE ATLANTIC PROVINCES
http://www.nsac.ns.ca/lib/apascc/acv/production/mush.htm
CREEKSIDE MUSHROOMS LIMITED
The world's largest underground mushroom farm
http://www.creeksidemushrooms.com/
Now, if we're talking about "green" plants, that's another matter. All
green or flowering plants require sunlight. If you want to grow any of
these plants in a dark place such as a subway station or your
basement, you have to provide them with artificial sunlight in the
form of a GROW LIGHT.
Grow lights come in different strengths and wavelengths (light
spectrums). Your choice will depend on your circumstances.
==============
SPECTRUM
==============
The type of plant you want to grow will determine the spectrum of the
grow lamp you select. Some are designed to enhance flowering, others
are geared towards plants that are heavy in green foliage.
Take a look at this website. It shows the different spectrum ranges
for different types of grow lights, and explains what each one is for
–
SUNMASTER GROW LAMPS - SPECTRAL FAMILIES
http://www.sunmastergrowlamps.com/SunmSpecFam.html
===============
STRENGTH
===============
Next you will have to consider the actual strength of the lamp – that
is how much light it delivers. This will usually be measured in
LUMENS. Again, the type of plants, but also the amount of area you
are trying to light, the size of your plants, and the distance
between your lighting source and your plants will determine how much
light you need.
That same website gives a chart comparing the lumens of each lamp.
SUNMASTER GROW LAMPS
http://www.sunmastergrowlamps.com/SunmLamps.html
=================
TYPES OF LAMPS
=================
Here are the main types of lamps used for growing plants ---
Metal Halide Lamps
High Pressure Sodium
Conversion Lamps – ( Sodium Lamps and Halide Lamps)
Fluorescent
Incandescent
Note: Halide and High Pressure Sodium are referred to as "High
Intensity Discharge" (HID) Lamps.
For details on those, please see ---
WHICH LAMP IS BEST FOR YOUR GROWING NEEDS?
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/hydroponics-garden/growligforhy.html
ABOUT PLANT LIGHTING
http://www.elights.com/plantgrow.html
GREENHOUSE GROW LIGHT GUIDE
http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/guide3.shtml
=========================
GROWING UNDERGROUND
=========================
As you can see from these programs below, virtually any plant can be
grown underground given the right conditions.
This article pretty well sums it up –
GROWIN' WHERE THE SUN DON'T SHINE
http://www.subsurfacebuildings.com/Page.html
----------------------
" There is a new revolution in plant-based biopharmaceutical
production that combines strict genetic containment, accelerated plant
growth and unrivalled environmental control. The key to this new
technology is the biosecure underground growth chamber (BUGC). "
"During the 13 years the underground operation has been in existence,
research has been conducted on over 500 plant species including
various softwood and hardwood species, culinary herbs, nutraceuticals,
ornamentals and agricultural crops."
PRAIRIE PLANT
http://www.prairieplant.com/pv-ug.htm
SUBTERRA L.L.C.
http://www.biospace.com/company_profile.cfm?CompanyID=558920
=======================
LOW LIGHT PLANTS
=======================
Although it appears that any plant will grow underground if given
enough light and the right environment, you may do well to select
plants that require a less light, if for nothing more than to reduce
electric bills. Here are some lists of low-light plants. Now
remember, this just refers to light needs. A subway may be too cold or
too damp for many of these plants. Temperature and humidity are
another topic entirely.
LOW LIGHT PLANTS
http://www.officeplants.com/low.html
LOW LIGHT PLANTS
http://www.plantsinc-chicago.com/lowlight.html
LOW LIGHT FOLIAGE PLANTS
http://www.ccenassau.org/hort/fact_sheets/a125_lowlt_foliage_plants_jan02.pdf
ARTICLE : LOW LIGHT PLANTS GROW WELL INDOORS
http://msucares.com/news/print/sgnews/sg97/sg971225.htm
ARTICLE: LIGHT UP YOUR PLANTS LIFE!
http://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/Articles/LowLightPlants.htm
In closing, I would recommend that you decide first which plants want
to grow, then speak with a professional grower to find out how much
and what kind of artificial light you would need to make that happen.
As I said before, the actual selection of lamps is dependent on many
factors. There is no single rule.
That should give you all the information you need to get started. If
anything I've said isn't clear, or if any of the links don't work,
please feel free to ask for clarification.
Thanks for your question,
-K~
search terms –
growing mushrooms
plant grow lamps
"growing plants underground"
plants low light |
