Too Much Light?

[gemlady]

My mini greenhouse is outside my lounge window on a south facing wall. However, I've just realised that above and to the right of the greenhouse on the patio is an outside light (energy saving) which comes on automatically at dusk. It's only low wattage and not very bright, but does this mean that the top tier of the greenhouse is getting too much light? If so should I cover it at night to protect the plants and give them a rest? Or am I just being too overprotective with my young 'uns?

[Snadger]

I think it's only ultra violet light that affects plants and honestly think you have nothing to worry about. It does open up the possibility of floodlit gardening tho!

[Alison]

I'm with Snadger on this one, the plants won't worry and will still get their beauty sleep.

[Mikey]

If your neighbours start growing horns, you'll know the light is too bright.

[hydrogrower]

If its low wattage and not sitting on top of the plants i doubt it would have any effect at all

[Two_Sheds]

I don't mean to have a pop at you personally, but why do we need lights on all the time, automatically? It confuses nocturnal animals, it is light-pollution, and it annoys the neighbours.
For security, a motion-sensor one would be better, or at least a shade on the top of the lamp so that it doesn't shine up into the sky.

(I whinge because neighbours have powerful flood lights that come on at night and shine through our windows - it's like being interrogated by the third reich or something)

[gemlady]

I understand your point, but it's only a very low soft light (not the bright security light type) and can't be seen from our neighbours properties. I have to confess that it's still there because I feel more secure with it on, (we have tried to do without it) but the private road at the back is pitch black and several garages and properties were broken into from the back.

[bluemoon]

A low wattage (or even reasonably high wattage) bulb will emit light of the wrong wavelength to affect plants. That's why indoor plants still need to be in reasonably good window light and why those naughty people who grow the kind of plants that they shouldn't have to invest in specialist growlights.