How Do Different Types of Light Affect a Plant?
A poinsettia needs 12 hours or more of darkness to bloom. Tooga/Dynamic Graphics Group/Getty Images Light is an environmental factor that affects plants along with temperature, water and nutrition. Different types of light impacts plant growth and development. Various plant species also respond differently to light. Understanding the role light plays in the development of plants, enables you to manipulate light to produce better quality plants. Amount The amount of sunlight plants receives impacts their ability to grow. Plants turn the sun’s energy into sugar, which is converted to energy needed to grow in a process called photosynthesis. A plant that gets a lot of sunlight produces more food, and thus matures at a faster rate than those receiving less sun exposure. The best season for a plant to receive light is during the summer when the sun is strongest. Conversely, the winter is the worst time for a plant to get light because the sun’s strength is diminished. However, you can influ
