#winter? 0.5 hours of sunlight

[just-slightly-chayotic]

dropped my phone on my face 4 times in the last 3 minutes while going through the kim tag

perhaps i should sleep. it's light outside

[energy-5]

Optimizing Your Solar System Year-Round

As the Earth tilts and turns, the changing seasons can have a profound effect on the performance of solar power systems. From the height of summer to the depths of winter, a solar panel owner’s strategy must adapt to ensure their system is optimized throughout the year. Let's take a closer look into how each season affects solar output and how you can maximize your system's efficiency, regardless of the weather.

Summer: Sun’s Out, Panels Out

Summer often means longer days and more direct sunlight, which is excellent news for solar energy production. In the United States, the average solar panel efficiency can climb during these months due to increased insolation – a term that refers to the amount of solar radiation reaching a given area. The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) reports that in peak summer, a well-positioned solar panel system can produce twice as much energy as during winter. However, extreme heat can sometimes decrease panel efficiency, a phenomenon known as temperature coefficient, typically resulting in a performance drop of about 0.5% for every 1°C above 25°C.

Fall: Preparing for the Pivot

As fall approaches, the sun’s angle begins to lower, and days get shorter, which can lead to a decrease in solar production. Despite this, cooler temperatures can enhance panel efficiency, slightly offsetting the loss from reduced daylight. It’s essential to prepare for leaf fall during this season, as debris can obstruct panels and impact performance. A National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) study suggests that a single leaf on a panel can reduce power output by up to 10%.

Winter: Weathering the Cold

Contrary to what many assume, solar panels don't go dormant in winter. They can still produce significant energy, especially in areas with strong winter sunlight. Snow can even act like a mirror, reflecting light and potentially increasing performance on clear days. The key statistic to watch, however, is daylight hours. For instance, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), regions like the Pacific Northwest see a reduction of about 40% in solar radiation from November through February, affecting potential output.

Spring: A Time for Tune-Ups

Spring is often seen as a time of renewal, and for solar panel systems, it's an ideal period for maintenance to optimize energy capture. As days lengthen, your solar system's production will naturally increase. To fully capitalize on this, ensure your system is free from the winter’s accumulation of dirt and debris. Data from the Department of Energy indicates that a clean solar panel is approximately 21% more efficient than one covered in the season’s grime.

Year-Round Maintenance and Monitoring

Regular maintenance is crucial for keeping your solar power system at peak performance. It’s advisable to check your system's output against benchmarks provided by your installer or local averages. Most modern systems come with apps or monitoring software, enabling you to track energy production in real-time and notice any significant discrepancies that may indicate an issue.

Utilizing Battery Storage

To truly optimize your system year-round, consider integrating battery storage. This allows you to capture excess energy during peak production times and use it when the sun isn’t shining. For example, Tesla’s Powerwall reports that, when used effectively, battery storage can increase the self-consumption of solar power from 30% to upwards of 70%.

Embracing Energy Efficiency

Lastly, optimizing a solar system isn’t just about maximizing production; it’s also about minimizing consumption. Implementing energy efficiency measures within your home can significantly impact how much solar power you need to meet your energy demands. The EPA suggests that for every kilowatt-hour of solar energy used efficiently, a typical system’s return on investment can improve by 5-10%.

By understanding and adapting to the seasonal shifts in solar production, you can ensure your system is not only effective but also contributes to a sustainable future all year round. Whether you’re dealing with the abundance of summer sun or the scarcity of winter light, these strategies will help you stay powered through every season.

[thumbgarden]

It is not without reason that the famous Renaissance physician and chemist Theophrastus Paracelsus called carrot root Mandragora (genus), making people live longer without diseases. The amazing properties of carrots lie in their carrot nutrition facts, which include various trace elements and a wealth of vitamins, some of which the human body cannot form during the metabolic process. The root of the carrot concentrates substances that help treat many diseases, obtain a strong immune system and rejuvenate the entire body. Read more about the useful properties of carrots, their biochemical composition, and the influence of growing conditions on the value of the root crop in this material.

A FEW FACTS ABOUT CARROTS Cultured carrots evolved from the wild carrots that grew in abundance in Asia and Europe. This root vegetable is thought to have originated in Afghanistan. Carrots originated in Afghanistan and possibly northern Iran and Pakistan. Queen Anne's Lace is a wild carrot that readily inter-pollinates with carrots and grows in temperate areas around the world where there is adequate moisture and disturbed ecology (roadsides, open spaces, etc.).

A. History of the carrot The domestication of carrots took the following routes. 1. 900 - 1000 AD: Purple and yellow carrots spread from Afghanistan to the eastern Mediterranean. 2. The 1300s: purple and yellow carrots in Western Europe and China 3. The 1600s: Yellow carrots in Japan 4. The 1700s: In addition to purple and yellow, white carrots were reported in Europe, and orange carrots were first reported in the Netherlands and neighboring regions 5. Today: orange carrots dominate worldwide, although some white types (for livestock) still exist in Western and Eastern Europe, some red (not orange) in Japan, some yellow and purple in the Middle East, and some purple, yellow, and red from Turkey to India and China

It should be noted that under natural conditions, the content and list of beneficial properties of root carrots differs from the cultivated form, where the beneficial properties of this crop are purposefully developed.

B. External review of key facts 1. Carrot (Daucus carota) is a root vegetable of the Umbelliferae family, including celery, parsley, parsley, dill, parsley, fennel, coriander, and fennel. 2. In 2012, the United States was the third-largest carrot producer. Approximately 80-90% of U.S. carrots are produced in California. Other major producers include Michigan and Texas. 3. In the late 1980s, the introduction of fresh-cut carrots and "baby carrots" created a carrot boom. 4. 4. Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, vitamins C and K, potassium, and dietary fiber. 5. 5. Carrots are popular as a culinary vegetable, salad item, snack food, and raw vegetable. 6. 6. Like most vegetables, carrots are low in acid and therefore at high risk of contamination with Clostridium botulinum toxin, the bacterium produced by Clostridium botulinum, when improperly canned. There have been several outbreaks of botulism associated with commercial and homemade carrot juice and homemade canned carrots. 7. Between 1998 and 2017, the CDC's National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) reported at least 31 carrot-related outbreaks resulting in 756 illnesses, 17 hospitalizations, and no deaths. In outbreaks of known etiology, the most common pathogen is norovirus, but also includes Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, Salmonella, Clostridium botulinum, Shigella, and Staphylococcus aureus.

It was not until the 20th century that breeding efforts produced carrot varieties with a predominantly orange color, high sweetness, and pleasant juicy flesh. Before breeding efforts, carrots were used primarily for cooking and much less frequently for root vegetables, but then there was a real culinary boom. Cookbooks devote considerable space to describing various recipes for cooking carrots with other grain crops, and medical reference books present recipes for preparing treatments for various ailments.

EFFECT OF CULTIVATION CONDITIONS OF CARROTS ON THE QUALITY OF ROOT CROPS The value of carrots is determined by vitamins and other nutrients that accumulate in the root crop. Their quantity and quality depend on cultivation techniques. When agricultural practices are violated, changes occur not only in the exterior of carrots (small, sparse orange, cracked roots, etc.) but also in their biochemical indicators. Vitamins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and other very important compounds are drastically reduced. Carrot is a temperate crop. It has high requirements for basic living conditions: soil and temperature regime, provision of water, and light. The quality of root crops decreases due to insufficient soil preparation (low looseness, insufficient filling with basic fertilizers), insufficient watering and feeding during vegetation, violation of the ratio of the main nutrients (more nitrogen and less potassium), and other conditions. When buying root crops in the market, be sure to ask about the growing conditions of the crop. But the best way to keep your family healthy is to grow carrots on your own plots, observing all the requirements of agricultural growing techniques. Also, only approved varieties and hybrids should be used when sowing seeds. During the winter period, list in your garden diary the early, middle, and late varieties with the highest biotechnical indicators of product quality and prepare carrot seeds of these varieties exactly.

BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF CARROTS A. Vitamins in carrots 1. Carrots contain 22% of pro-vitamin "A" (carotene), including alpha and beta carotene, which are synthesized in the body as vitamin "A," and vitamin "A" is a guarantee of visual acuity. 2. 100 grams of carrots contain more than 0.5 grams of B vitamins, including B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, and B12, necessary for the synthesis of hemoglobin in the body. 3. Carrot juice contains a group of active chemicals calcitriol, representing vitamin "D," including "D2" and "D3". Vitamin "D" can be produced in the body under the influence of natural sunlight and ultraviolet light (artificial irradiation) and manifests itself in the form of tanning. Deficiency in children manifests itself in the form of rickets and in adults in the form of osteoporosis (fragility) and softening of bones (osteopenia). 4. Carrots have a high content of vitamin "K" (11%), which regulates blood clotting and prevents the formation of blood clots. 5. Vitamins "C" and "E" provide energy and normalize the function of the endocrine glands. Vitamin E also slows down the aging process of the body. It is known as the vitamin of youth. It is vital for diabetics because it helps reduce the need for insulin. 6. Vitamin "PP" (niacin), like the previous vitamins, provides energy to the body, supports heart function, blood circulation, and is involved in the metabolism of amino acids. 7. Vitamin "N," or lipoic acid, regulates the liver, thyroid, participates in the metabolism of carbohydrates, and influences the level of cholesterol in the blood. The whole vitamin complex is preserved in freshly cooked carrot juice for one hour, after thawing - 0.5 hours. The complete utilization of the body occurs in the presence of fats (butter, sour cream).

B. Micronutrients in carrots Carrots are characterized by a fairly high micronutrient content. In 100 grams of raw carrots, there is 320 mg of potassium, responsible for normalizing the heart. In Soviet times, athletes were prescribed potassium lactate. The sodium concentration was between 69-70 mg, and the sum of phosphorus and calcium exceeded 65-68 mg. Carrot root has sufficient copper, zinc, iron, magnesium, manganese, cobalt, and molybdenum. Carrots also contain selenium, a young element, and fluorine, which is responsible for the thyroid gland and helps to remove heavy metals and radionuclides from the body. Other elements are present in root crops and are compounds and combinations necessary for the normalization of water metabolism (chlorine), water-salt metabolism (sodium), and the composition of proteins (sulfur). Aluminum, boron, vanadium, nickel, chromium, lithium, and iodine complete the list of trace elements. In the context of low-calorie products, an impressive list becomes indispensable for the treatment of obesity, weight loss, and stimulation of hematopoiesis. Carrots are a part of all fitness diets. 100 grams of root crop (one small carrot) contains 35 to 40 kcal but contains more than 9.5 grams of carbohydrates and 2.8 grams of dietary fiber.

OTHER NUTRIENTS IN CARROTS Recently, there has been a general decline in immunity in children and adults and increased cold and flu attacks. The phytotoxic properties of carrots are almost comparable to garlic and onions but without an unpleasant odor. On the contrary, the essential oils add spice to the dishes prepared. In the early days of recognizing carrots as a food, as mentioned above, the seeds and green tops were used in cooking. The concentration is lower than in other vegetables, but a complete list of amino acids is present in carrots. These include tyrosine, lysine, leucine, ornithine, cysteine, asparagine, threonine, histidine, methionine, etc. Carrot has a pleasant rich color due to its anthocyanins and bioflavonoids. It contains umbelliferone, which is involved in the biosynthesis of basic compounds such as phytosterols, coumarins, quercetin, fiber, pectin, and sugar.

USEFUL PROPERTIES OF CARROTS For the treatment and prevention of diseases, carrot is available as a raw product, cooked, thawed, and frozen. In boiled form, it increases its positive impact on the body in treating nephritis, cancer, diabetes, and general flora disorders. Raw carrots prevent microbial infections of the mouth and systemic infectious colds (acute respiratory infections, influenza). Carrot is used for vitamin deficiencies, anemia, atherosclerosis. It is included in formulas for treating Alzheimer's disease, digestive tract, intestinal obstruction, cholelithiasis and urolithiasis, pyelonephritis, cystitis. Carrot juice is effective against conjunctivitis, night blindness, and other eye diseases. It is used in official and folk medicine to treat diseases of the bone and hematopoietic system. Eating 50 grams of fresh carrots per day (average daily rate) will reduce the risk of stroke by 60-70%, breast cancer by 25%, and retinal diseases with visual impairment by 40%.

CONTRAINDICATIONS TO THE USE OF CARROTS 1. Carrots are contraindicated in cases of hypersensitivity to this product. 2. In inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, small intestine, peptic ulcers. In these cases, the vegetable is used in the form of boiled or stewed. 3. If you have liver disease, consult a doctor before consuming carrots. 4. Yellowing of feet and skin in children and adults may occur if raw carrots and juice are consumed in excess. The daily dosage of this product should be reduced until the yellowing disappears. Finally, I would like to warn the reader. Carrots are very useful, but at all need to be measured. It is enough to eat 1-2 carrots a day, no more than 100-120 grams of carrots in any form - salads, purees, juices.

#ThumbGarden #Gardening Tips #How to grow #Carrot #Vegetables #Inspiration #Carrot Funny #Carrot Interesting #Carrot Facts #Organics #Vegetable Garden #Vegetable Patch #Carrot Benefits #Nutrition Facts #Nutritional Value #Carotene #Vitamin #Glucosinlates #Protein

Author: Ms.Geneva Link: https://www.thumbgarden.com/carrot-nutrition-facts/ Source: ThumbGarden The copyright belongs to the author. For commercial reprints, please contact the author for authorization, and for non-commercial reprints, please indicate the source.

[plant-lights-yr]

The advantages of dimmable LED plant lights

   There are some plant lights that can adjust the spectrum, and the user can turn on or off the red and blue light separately through several separate knobs. Some growers think this is unnecessary, but some growers think that reducing the red light can reduce the distance between the nodes on the plant stem. After years of trials and tests, growers believe that the best way to make plants shorter is to hang the lamps lower. It is necessary for the plants to try to get close to the tall lamps.

The wavelength of the LED plant light can be set according to customer needs and customized according to various plant growth conditions and needs. The plant light has a wide variety of wavelengths and has a large room for adjustment. It can be adjusted according to the preferences of various plants. Plant lights are suitable for lighting various plants. Plant photosynthesis of light does not need to look at color temperature and lumens.

Seedlings illuminated by blue LEDs have fewer leaves and are slender as a whole. The seedlings illuminated by pink LEDs have relatively large leaves and the overall plant growth is balanced. Different types of plants have somewhat different light wavelengths that affect their growth. In the future, it is still necessary to carry out experiments including adjustment of exposure and time in agricultural test sites.

 Blue light can promote the growth of green leaves; red light is conducive to flowering and fruiting and prolonging the flowering period! Comparing the seedlings with three different lightings, it was found that the seedlings with red LED lighting grew the slowest than the other two seedlings and had the smallest overall size.

The physiological effect of the spectral range on plants is 280 ~ 315nm ---> The impact on the morphology and physiological process is very small. 315 ~ 400nm ---> Chlorophyll absorbs very little, which affects the photoperiod effect and prevents the elongation of the stem from 400 ~ 520nm (blue) – >The absorption ratio of chlorophyll and carotenoids is the largest, and it has the greatest impact on photosynthesis. 520 ~ 610nm (green) -> the absorption rate of pigment is not high 610 ~ 720nm (red) -> the absorption rate of chlorophyll is low, which has a significant impact on photosynthesis and photoperiod effects Significant influence 720 ~ 1000nm ---> Absorption rate and low, stimulate cell elongation, affect flowering and seed germination> 1000nm ---> converted into heat. From the above data, the effect of light of different wavelengths on plant photosynthesis is Different, the light required for photosynthesis of plants has a wavelength of about 400 ~ 720nm. The light of 400 ~ 520nm (blue) and 610 ~ 720nm (red) contribute the most to photosynthesis. The light of 520 ~ 610nm (green) has a very low rate of absorption by phytochromes.

When plant lights are used to fill plants with light, the height from the leaves is generally about 0.5 meters, and continuous exposure for 10 hours a day can completely replace the sun. The effect is very significant. The growth rate is almost 3 times faster than that of ordinary plants that grow naturally. It solves the problem of lack of sunlight in winter, promotes the chlorophyll, anthocyanin and carotene needed in plant photosynthesis, and makes fruits and vegetables 20% earlier Harvesting increases the yield by 30% to 50% and improves the sweetness of fruits and vegetables.

Compared with LED plant lights, dimmable has obvious advantages. The risk of adjusting the spectrum of the LED is far less than the benefits of adjusting the appropriate spectrum to plants. LED plant lights may have more knobs and can even control every kind of light. So that growers can call up the best and most suitable spectrum for their plants. These adjustable LED plant lights may uncover the spectral mixing ratio required by each plant, thereby promoting the development of LED plant lights and producing growth lights suitable for various plants. In addition, commercial growers who grow a variety of plants can benefit from it, because they can find specific lamps suitable for their specific plant growth.

According to the above principles, the plant lights are made into three forms of red and blue combination, full blue, and full red to provide light of two wavelengths of red and blue, covering the wavelength range required for photosynthesis. In terms of visual effects, the red and blue plant lights are pink. As for white LED lamps, the most common use is to use blue LED crystals to excite yellow phosphors, which compositely produces a visual white light effect. In terms of energy distribution, there are two peaks in the blue region at 445nm and the yellow-green region at 550nm. The 610 ~ 720nm red light required by plants is very lacking.

   This explains why the white LED is unfavorable for plant growth. The ratio of red and blue spectrum of plant lights is generally between 5:1 and 10:1, and the ratio of 7-9:1 is usually optional. When using plant lights to illuminate plants, the height from the leaves is generally about 0.3-0.5 meters.

    The total cost of buying an LED plant light: Please consider what cost LED has reduced for you. The price of an LED plant light may be 3 times or more expensive than a HID due to different functions. But these initial investments can be offset by lower care costs and electricity bills. The cost recovery time of LED plant lights is actually much shorter than that of HID. This is because when using LEDs, many of the equipment necessary for using HID can be reduced or eliminated. These reduced electricity bills are even more than the electricity bills saved by LEDs.

According to the above principles, the plant lights are made into three forms of red and blue combination, full blue, and full red to provide light of two wavelengths of red and blue, covering the wavelength range required for photosynthesis. In terms of visual effects, the red and blue plant lights are pink. As for white LED lamps, the most common use is to use blue LED crystals to excite yellow phosphors, which compositely produces a visual white light effect. In terms of energy distribution, there are two peaks in the blue region at 445nm and the yellow-green region at 550nm. The 610 ~ 720nm red light required by plants is very lacking.

   This explains why the white LED is unfavorable for plant growth. The ratio of red and blue spectrum of plant lights is generally between 5:1 and 10:1, and the ratio of 7-9:1 is usually optional. When using plant lights to illuminate plants, the height from the leaves is generally about 0.3-0.5 meters.

www.86yr.com

[rjzimmerman]

Take this sad story about the small coffee farms in Colombia. Now, transfer the location of the story to Guatemala, Honduras or El Salvador, the source of thousands of refugees who are trying to make it into the US and in the process driving trump and republicans crazy. Those small coffee farms in Central America are experiencing the same issues as are the small coffee farms in Colombia, but the farmers from their small farms, and their families, are heading north. This could be the proverbial “low-hanging fruit” to prevent the migration. Provide assistance to these farmers to find alternative employment or business opportunities when the coffee farms go bust, and prevent the migration. But no, we are too short-sided (and cheap) these days to think this way.

Excerpt from this Grist story:

In the last 18 months, Colombia has lost nearly 100,000 acres of coffee plantations, more than 4 percent of the land under coffee cultivation, according to a statementissued last week by Colombia’s National Federation of Coffee Growers (Fedecafé). Since the 1990s, the total land under coffee cultivation has shrunk by 20 percent, Fedecafé said. The federation largely attributed the most recent exodus to the ruinously low price for coffee on the New York exchange. The migration of younger laborers to higher-paying jobs in the cities and abroad is also a factor, notes Diana Carolina Meza Sepulveda, a professor of agro-industrial development at the Technical University of Pereira.

Yet beyond these immediate economic concerns looms a threat that is already affecting some of Colombia’s coffee growers: a changing climate. The Colombian mountain region, where coffee is grown, is warming by 0.3 degrees Celsius (0.5 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade, according to a study published in April by coffee agronomist Peter Baker and a team of scientists. The number of hours of sunlight also has declined by 19 percent since the middle of the last century due to increasing cloud cover, and there is no longer enough sun to sustain high levels of coffee production in some areas, the researchers reported. Precipitation extremes are more common, as is the spread of insect and fungal diseases — plagues driven in part by generally warmer, wetter weather.

Indeed, Colombia’s increasingly volatile growing conditions pose the biggest long-term threat to the nation’s small coffee growers, scientists say. Of Colombia’s half-a-million coffee farms, 95 percent are smaller than 12 acres. “In the Central Coffee Zone, their output is declining quite fast,” says Baker, who works with the Initiative for Coffee and Climate. “Bad weather and coffee diseases are clearly a factor.”

Jessica Eise, a Purdue University Ph.D. student working to create a climate change adaptation information network in Colombia, recently completed a study of the impact of climate change on Colombia’s coffee farmers. More than 90 percent of the farmers she interviewed reported changes in average temperature, 74 percent said droughts had gotten longer and more severe, and 61 percent reported an increase in mountainside erosion and landslides caused by heavy rains. Most coffee farmers noticed changes in their trees’ flowering and fruiting cycles, Eise said.

“In earlier times, the climate was perfect for coffee,” said one small farmer who spoke with Eise and asked not to be identified. “In the period of flowering, there was summer. During harvest, there was winter. But from 2008 onward, this changed and we now don’t know when it will be summer, when the coffee will blossom. Our yearly production now varies by up to 40 percent.”

[yaorong]

Why choose LED plant growth lights for plant growth

One question that is usually asked about LED plant growth lights is: Are they really ready to deal with the golden time of LED plant growth lights?

The answer is: get ready, because they have been around for a long time and are getting better and better. Continuous development and various trends make LED plant lights the best choice for indoor planting. These mainly include: improved lamp beads, lenses, increasing electricity bills, and growers' pursuit of energy saving and convenient use.

LED plant growth lights have obvious advantages in the following three aspects:

1. Better luminaires. Illuminators have always been one of the main reasons hindering the development of the plant lamp market. It was only recently that the LED lamp beads that could provide the wavelengths required for plant photosynthesis (especially at 660nm) came out. Market demand Nano is a unit of measuring the energy of light, which represents the size of a certain waveband at various points. The red light at the end of the reddish spectrum emitted by the 660nm lamp bead is very important for plant photosynthesis. It’s funny how many vendors claim that they are the first to start using True 660nm. At that time, LED plant growth lights did lack the strength to allow plants to grow. Now, after a few years, the wattage is higher, and the lamp beads with a wider spectrum are led plant lights into a new era. Compared with the previous plant lights, the new generation of plant lights has greatly improved the spectrum and intensity.

2. Secondary optical lens The second great breakthrough of the LED plant growth lamp is the optical lens. The plastic condensing lens is placed on the LED lamp beads to enhance the intensity of the light, and at the same time greatly improve the light penetration and distribution. At present, many institutions are still committed to the research of optical lenses and are looking forward to more innovations.

3 Increasing electricity bills High electricity bills have also greatly stimulated growers to switch to more energy-efficient LED plant growth lights. In southern California, our power company SCE announced that they will increase prices every year for the next few years. A 1000-watt HID lamp needs to work 12 hours a day during the flowering period, and consumes 4.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year. According to SCE, the current highest electricity bill is $0.36 per kilowatt-hour, and the annual electricity bill is $1,500. And this does not include electricity used to maintain ambient temperature such as air conditioning fans. LED grow lights can cut electricity bills in half.

The advantages of dimmable LED grow lights

There are some plant lights that can adjust the spectrum, and the user can turn on or off the red light and blue light separately through several separate knobs. Some growers think this is unnecessary, but some growers think that reducing the red light can reduce the distance between nodes on the plant stem. After years of trials and tests, growers believe that the best way to make plants shorter is to hang the lamps lower. It is necessary for the plants to try to get close to the tall lamps.

For LED plant growth lights, dimming has obvious advantages. The risk of adjusting the spectrum of the LED is far less than the benefits of adjusting the appropriate spectrum to the plant. LED grow lights may have more knobs, and can even control every kind of light. Enables growers to tune out the best and most suitable spectrum for their plants. These adjustable LED plant lights may uncover the spectral mixing ratio required by each plant, thereby promoting the development of LED plant lights and producing growth lights suitable for various plants. In addition, commercial growers who grow a variety of plants can benefit from it, because they can find specific lamps suitable for their specific plant growth.

The total cost of buying an LED plant growth light: Please consider what costs have been reduced for you by the LED plant growth light. The price of an LED plant growth lamp may be 3 times or more expensive than a HID due to different functions. But these initial investments can be offset by lower care costs and electricity bills. The cost recovery time of LED grow lights is actually much shorter than that of HID. This is because when using LED plant growth lights, many of the equipment necessary for using HID can be reduced or eliminated. These reduced electricity bills are even more than the electricity bills saved by LED grow lights.

Introduction to the characteristics of LED plant growth lights

LED is the abbreviation of light-emitting diode. The difference between LED and HID is that LED uses semiconductor to emit light, while HID emits light by generating heat, and the luminous plasma gas emits light. When the current passes through the LED, the crystal in the very center of the lamp bead emits light of different colors according to the different materials used. This crystal is surrounded by a reflector, and there are epoxy lenses on the reflector, and they are all sealed by an epoxy shell.

The LED grow light is composed of LED lamp beads, radiator, fan, power supply and housing. A single lamp bead is in contact with the radiator, and the radiator, together with the fan, dissipates the heat emitted by the LED. The LED power supply is similar to the power supply used by HID, and supplies power to the LED. The new generation of LED plant growth lights will use optical lenses to achieve the effect of concentrating and enhancing the intensity of the light.

LED grow lights have opened up a whole new world for indoor growers. Now we can control the wavelength that plants actually receive, instead of adjusting our planting methods according to the effective wavelengths on the market. We can make different led plant lights according to different plants. The characteristics of LED plant growth lights, especially its low heat, paved the way for large-scale planting.

Low heat is a feature that LED grow lights can take advantage of. As we discussed before, LED grow lights produce very little heat. Of course, heat is a more complicated topic, so let's leave it to those physicists. What we need to know is what happens when we turn off the lights? Light quanta no longer exist, so where will they go? Physicists tell us that they disappear in the entire system, and this system refers to our entire production room. This is what we know as the law of conservation of energy. Energy can be converted but will not disappear. It is difficult to say when the light decays, but it turns into heat in the end. In theory, 1W is equal to 3.412BTU of heat. This equation applies to any lamps, HID, fluorescent lamps, LED grow lights and other lamps. How is this really the case, then why does the LED plant light produce less heat? The reason is very simple. When people use LED plant lights, their wattage will be as low as 40%-50% than HID. Low wattage means low calories.

Note: The working principle of infrared heaters is to heat the surface and then increase the ambient temperature. This is the opposite of the traditional heater. The traditional heater first heats the ambient temperature and then increases the temperature of the surface of the object. In your garden, these so-called object surfaces refer to the trunk and leaves of your plants.

Another reason why LED grow lights produce less heat is HID. The infrared in HPS produces a lot of useless heat. The principle that infrared can heat the surface of an object has been used in daily life for many years. For example, infrared is used to heat the bathroom, and infrared is used to maintain the temperature of food in the hotel. Recently, infrared microwave ovens and grills have also been on the market. Infrared has no other effect besides increasing the temperature around your plants. If the lamp manufacturer publishes their spectrum distribution map, and their spectrum contains infrared, we can easily understand why their lamps heat so much. If the spectrum distribution chart can show wavelengths higher than 900nm, we can compare the heat generated by LED plant growth lamps with different light sources.

LED plant growth light and spectrum introduction

The wavelength of the LED plant growth light can be set according to customer needs and customized according to various plant growth conditions and needs. The plant light has a wide variety of wavelengths and has a large room for adjustment. It can be adjusted according to various plant preferences through different lighting configurations. The led plant light is suitable for lighting all kinds of plants. Plant photosynthesis of light does not need to look at color temperature and lumens.

Blue light is able to promote the growth of green leaves; red light is helpful for flowering and fruiting and prolonging the flowering period! Comparing the three seedlings with different lighting, it is found that the seedlings illuminated by the red LED plant growth lamp will grow slower than the other two seedlings, and the whole is very small.

The seedlings illuminated by the blue LED plant growth lamp have relatively few leaves and the whole is elongated. The seedlings illuminated by the pink LED plant growth lamp have relatively large leaves and the overall growth of the plant is very balanced. Plants of different types have somewhat different light wavelengths that affect their growth. In the future, it is necessary to conduct experiments including adjusting the irradiation time at agricultural test sites.

When using LED plant growth lights to supplement light for plants, the height from the leaves is generally about 0.5 meters, and continuous exposure for 10 hours a day can completely replace the sun. The effect is very significant. The growth rate is 3 times faster than that of ordinary plants that grow naturally. It solves the problem of lack of sunlight in winter, promotes the chlorophyll, anthocyanin and carotene needed in plant photosynthesis, and enables fruits and vegetables to be 20% earlier. Time harvesting increases the yield by 30% to 50%, and can also increase the sweetness of fruits and vegetables.

The effect of the spectral range on plant physiology is at 280 ~ 315nm ---> the effect on the morphology and physiological process is minimal at 315 ~ 400nm ---> the absorption of chlorophyll is less, which affects the effect of photoperiod and prevents stem elongation from 400 ~ 520nm ( Blue) -> Chlorophyll and carotenoids have the largest absorption ratio, and have the greatest impact on photosynthesis. Periodic effect has a significant impact on 720 ~ 1000nm ---> low absorption rate, stimulates plant cell lengthening, affects flowering and seed germination> 1000nm ---> converted into heat. From the above data, light of different wavelengths has an effect on plant photosynthesis The effect of the light is not the same. The light required for photosynthesis of plants has a wavelength of about 400 ~ 720nm. The light of 400 ~ 520nm (blue) and 610 ~ 720nm (red) contribute the most to photosynthesis. The light of 520 ~ 610nm (green) has a very low rate of absorption by phytochromes.

According to the above principles, LED plant growth lights are made into three forms of red-blue combination and full blue and full red to provide light of two wavelengths of red and blue, covering the range of wavelengths required for photosynthesis. In terms of visual effects, the red and blue plant lights are pink. As for white LED lamps, the most common use is to use blue LED crystals to excite yellow phosphors, which compositely produces a visual white light effect. In the energy distribution, there are two peaks in the blue area at 445nm and the yellow-green area at 550nm. The 610 ~ 720nm red light required by plants is very lacking.

This explains why the white LED is unfavorable for plant growth. The ratio of red and blue spectrum of plant lights is generally between 5:1 and 10:1, and the ratio of 7-9:1 is usually optional. When using LED plant lights to illuminate plants, the height from the leaves is generally about 0.3-0.5 meters.

[astrogeoguy]

A Late Harvest Moon, Uranus looms Closer, and Venus and Mars Meet up!

(Above: Michael Watson of Toronto took this composite image hours after the September 2017 full moon. Already the shadows along the right limb show the waning process underway. His terrific Flickr gallery is at  https://www.flickr.com/photos/97587627@N06/36244824604/)

Stargazing News for this week (from October 1st, 2017) by Chris Vaughan. (Feel free to pass this along to friends and send me your comments, questions, and suggested topics.) I post these with photos at http://astrogeoguy.tumblr.com/ where the old editions are archived. You can also follow me on Twitter as @astrogeoguy! All times mentioned are in Eastern Standard Time. Please click this MailChimp link to subscribe to these emails. If you are a teacher or group leader interested in joining me in a guided field trip to the York University Observatory, visit www.astrogeo.ca. 

Happy October! It’s getting dark noticeably earlier nowadays, and winter favorites Taurus, Gemini, and Orion are rising in late evening. An annual meteor shower called the Orionids starts this week, so keep an eye out anywhere in the sky for “shooting stars” that are moving in a direction away from Orion. 

Public Events

An early heads-up - on Thursday evening, October 19, weather permitting, I’ll be hosting a free community star party in the Pomona Mills Meadow in Thornhill Village. Astronomers and guests are all welcome to join us, starting at 7:30 pm! Come see Saturn and other deep sky objects under a dark moonless sky. The cloud date is October 26. 

On Saturday evening, October 7, the Ontario Science Centre is hosting a free public star party to celebrate Saturn and the Cassini Mission. There will be telescope viewing of Saturn, the moon, and more (weather permitting), live music, and science demonstrations. Details are here. (Parking fees apply.) 

Other events this week include:

Archaeoastronomy: The Astronomy of Civilizations Past, a free public talk by U of T Professor Emeritus John Percy at the Pape/Danforth Library on Wednesday, October 4 at 6:30 pm (Details here).

On Wednesday, October 4 at 7 pm, Waterloo’s Perimeter Institute talk and live webcast of A new View on Gravity and the Dark Side of the Cosmos by Dr. Erik Verlinde of the University of Amsterdam (Details here).

The Universe’s Baby Picture: an Evening with Professor David Spergel, of Princeton, Thursday, October 5 at 7 pm at the Ismaili Centre on Wynford Drive (free with online registration, details here).

On Thursday, October 5 at 7 pm at the St. James Town Library, the free public presentation  Earth's Battered Moon presented by Sara Mazrouei of U ot T (details here).

On Thursday, October 5, 2017 at 8 pm the free public AstroTour presentation The Long Path towards Finding Habitable Exo-Worlds, downtown at U of T (details here). 

The Moon and Planets

The moon reaches its full phase, directly opposite the sun in the sky at 2:40 pm on Thursday, so it will already have a dark sliver on its right side when it rises about four hours later. The full moon of October, traditionally called the Hunter's Moon, Blood Moon, or Sanguine Moon, always shines in or near the stars of Cetus (the Whale) and Pisces (the Fishes). This month’s full moon is also the Harvest Moon, traditionally defined as the full moon closest to the September equinox. 

(Above: On October 8, shown here at 6 am EDT, the waning gibbous moon will approach and pass through the triangular stars of Taurus, occulting the bright star Aldebaran for Asia)

By next Sunday evening, the waning gibbous moon will reach the stars making the triangular face of Taurus (the Bull). Through Sunday night and into Monday morning, the moon will pass among them. Observers in central and northeastern Asia will get to see the moon pass in front of (or occult) the bright star Aldebaran, which represents one of the bull’s eyes, at about 19:00 UT. 

If you are out under a clear early evening sky this week, look for Jupiter very low in the west, a short distance south of where the Sun went down. The giant planet sets less than hour after the sun, at about 7:30 pm local time. Our views of Jupiter will be heavily distorted because we have to look through such a deep blanket of air when it is sitting so low. 

(Above: Jupiter at lower right sets soon after the sun this week, while Saturn lingers into the evening sky, shown at 7:30 pm local time.)

Saturn is the obvious yellowish object partway up the southern sky as the evening darkens. It sets in the west just about 10:20 pm local time. Once it’s dark, pull out your telescope and look for some of Saturn’s moons sprinkled around the ringed planet. Up to six or seven can be seen in amateur telescopes. The reflected sunlight from Saturn is taking about 85 minutes to reach us! 

(Above: The full Harvest moon on Thursday night, shown here at 8:30 pm local time, will hinder your searches for Uranus and Neptune, but they’ll still be there after the moon moves on.)

Blue-green Uranus is situated about halfway along the eastern (left-hand) string of stars that form Pisces (the Fishes). It’s low in the east at dusk and is observable for the rest of the night in binoculars under a dark sky. We’re approaching the days when the planet is closest and brightest for this year. To help guide you, there’s a medium-bright star about a finger’s width below Uranus. Tiny blue Neptune is also observable all night long, located in the southeastern evening sky about two finger widths to the lower left of the medium-bright star Hydor in Aquarius (the Water-Bearer). But it is too faint to be seen with unaided eyes. 

(Above: In the pre-dawn eastern sky of Thursday, October 5, bright Venus, which is swinging down and sunwards, will pass within 0.5 degrees of much dimmer Mars, shown here at 5:30 am local time. The two planets will�� be near one another on the surrounding mornings.)

Extremely bright Venus rises in the eastern sky after 5 am local time. This week, the planet continues to descend slowly sunward below Leo (the Lion). In the eastern pre-dawn sky of Thursday, October 5, Venus will sit very close indeed to much dimmer Mars. At only 0.25 degrees separation, the two planets will fit within the view of a backyard telescope’s eyepiece. The two planets will be slightly farther apart on the surrounding mornings. Speaking of Mars, it rises in the east about 5:15 am, a short while after Venus. 

I’ll post sky charts for the visible planets here. 

Keep looking up to enjoy the sky! I love getting questions so, if you have any, send me a note.

[mattthompson9874-blog]

Best designing ideas of Solar PV System

What is solar PV system?

Solar photovoltaic system or Solar power system is one of renewable energy system which uses PV modules to convert sunlight into electricity. The electricity generated can be either stored or used directly, fed back into grid line or combined with one or more other electricity generators or more renewable energy source. Solar PV system is very reliable and clean source of electricity that can suit a wide range of applications such as residence, industry, agriculture, livestock, etc.

Major system components

Solar PV system includes different components that should be selected according to your system type, site location and applications. The major components for solar PV system are solar charge controller, inverter, battery bank, auxiliary energy sources and loads (appliances). PV module converts sunlight into DC electricity.

Solar charge controller  regulates the voltage and current coming from the PV panels going to

     battery and prevents battery overcharging and prolongs the battery life. Inverter  converts DC output of PV panels or wind turbine into a clean AC current for AC      appliances or fed back into grid line. Battery  stores energy for supplying to electrical appliances when there is a demand. Load  is electrical appliances that connected to solar PV system such as lights, radio, TV, computer,      refrigerator, etc. Auxiliary energy sources - is diesel generator or other renewable energy sources. Related Articles : https://www.solarafter.com

Solar PV system sizing

1. Determine power consumption demands

The first step in designing a solar PV system is to find out the total power and energy consumption of all loads that need to be supplied by the solar PV system as follows:

    1.1 Calculate total Watt-hours per day for each appliance used.           Add the Watt-hours needed for all appliances together to get the total Watt-hours per day which           must be delivered to the appliances.

    1.2 Calculate total Watt-hours per day needed from the PV modules.            Multiply the total appliances Watt-hours per day times 1.3 (the energy lost in the system) to get            the total Watt-hours per day which must be provided by the panels.

2. Size the PV modules

Different size of PV modules will produce different amount of power. To find out the sizing of PV module, the total peak watt produced needs. The peak watt (Wp) produced depends on size of the PV module and climate of site location. We have to consider panel generation factor which is different in each site location. For Thailand, the panel generation factor is 3.43. To determine the sizing of PV modules, calculate as follows:

    2.1 Calculate the total Watt-peak rating needed for PV modules           Divide the total Watt-hours per day needed from the PV modules (from item 1.2) by 3.43 to get           the total Watt-peak rating needed for the PV panels needed to operate the appliances.     2.2 Calculate the number of PV panels for the system           Divide the answer obtained in item 2.1 by the rated output Watt-peak of the PV modules available           to you. Increase any fractional part of result to the next highest full number and that will be the           number of PV modules required. How Do I Know If My Roof Is Suitable For Solar Panels https://www.solarafter.com/how-do-i-know-if-my-roof-is-suitable-for-solar-panels

Result of the calculation is the minimum number of PV panels. If more PV modules are installed, the system will perform better and battery life will be improved. If fewer PV modules are used, the system may not work at all during cloudy periods and battery life will be shortened.

3. Inverter sizing

An inverter is used in the system where AC power output is needed. The input rating of the inverter should never be lower than the total watt of appliances. The inverter must have the same nominal voltage as your battery.

For stand-alone systems, the inverter must be large enough to handle the total amount of Watts you will be using at one time. The inverter size should be 25-30% bigger than total Watts of appliances. In case of appliance type is motor or compressor then inverter size should be minimum 3 times the capacity of those appliances and must be added to the inverter capacity to handle surge current during starting. For grid tie systems or grid connected systems, the input rating of the inverter should be same as PV array rating to allow for safe and efficient operation.

4. Battery sizing

The battery type recommended for using in solar PV system is deep cycle battery. Deep cycle battery is specifically designed for to be discharged to low energy level and rapid recharged or cycle charged and discharged day after day for years. The battery should be large enough to store sufficient energy to operate the appliances at night and cloudy days. To find out the size of battery, calculate as follows:     4.1 Calculate total Watt-hours per day used by appliances.     4.2 Divide the total Watt-hours per day used by 0.85 for battery loss.     4.3 Divide the answer obtained in item 4.2 by 0.6 for depth of discharge.     4.4 Divide the answer obtained in item 4.3 by the nominal battery voltage.     4.5 Multiply the answer obtained in item 4.4 with days of autonomy (the number of days that you           need the system to operate when there is no power produced by PV panels) to get the required           Ampere-hour capacity of deep-cycle battery. Battery Capacity (Ah) = Total Watt-hours per day used by appliances x Days of autonomy (0.85 x 0.6 x nominal battery voltage) Do Solar Work In Places That Gets Snow https://www.solarafter.com/do-solar-work-in-winter-or-in-places-that-gets-snow

5. Solar charge controller sizing

The solar charge controller is typically rated against Amperage and Voltage capacities. Select the solar charge controller to match the voltage of PV array and batteries and then identify which type of solar charge controller is right for your application. Make sure that solar charge controller has enough capacity to handle the current from PV array.

For the series charge controller type, the sizing of controller depends on the total PV input current which is delivered to the controller and also depends on PV panel configuration (series or parallel configuration). According to standard practice, the sizing of solar charge controller is to take the short circuit current (Isc) of the PV array, and multiply it by 1.3 Solar charge controller rating = Total short circuit current of PV array x 1.3 Remark: For MPPT charge controller sizing will be different. (See Basics of MPPT Charge Controller) Example: A house has the following electrical appliance usage: • One 18 Watt fluorescent lamp with electronic ballast used 4 hours per day. • One 60 Watt fan used for 2 hours per day. • One 75 Watt refrigerator that runs 24 hours per day with compressor run 12 hours and off 12 hours. The system will be powered by 12 Vdc, 110 Wp PV module. 1. Determine power consumption demands Total appliance use = (18 W x 4 hours) + (60 W x 2 hours) + (75 W x 24 x 0.5 hours)  = 1,092 Wh/day Total PV panels energy needed  = 1,092 x 1.3  = 1,419.6 Wh/day.

2. Size the PV panel 2.1 Total Wp of PV panel capacity      needed = 1,419.6 / 3.4  = 413.9 Wp 2.2  Number of PV panels needed = 413.9 / 110  = 3.76 modules

         Actual requirement = 4 modules          So this system should be powered by at least 4 modules of 110 Wp PV module. 3. Inverter sizing    Total Watt of all appliances = 18 + 60 + 75 = 153 W    For safety, the inverter should be considered 25-30% bigger size.    The inverter size should be about 190 W or greater. 4. Battery sizing    Total appliances use = (18 W x 4 hours) + (60 W x 2 hours) + (75 W x 12 hours)    Nominal battery voltage = 12 V    Days of autonomy = 3 days    Battery capacity = [(18 W x 4 hours) + (60 W x 2 hours) + (75 W x 12 hours)] x 3                                                (0.85 x 0.6 x 12)    Total Ampere-hours required 535.29 Ah    So the battery should be rated 12 V 600 Ah for 3 day autonomy. can i buy solar panels and install myself https://www.solarafter.com/can-i-buy-solar-panels-and-install-myself 5. Solar charge controller sizing    PV module specification    Pm = 110 Wp    Vm = 16.7 Vdc    Im = 6.6 A    Voc = 20.7 A    Isc = 7.5 A    Solar charge controller rating = (4 strings x 7.5 A) x 1.3 = 39 A

[skinweareinblog]

How to Care for Sensitive Skin? Moisturizers for Sensitive Skin

The human skin is one of the delicate and important parts of the body that requires constant care. The skin color and attractiveness are much more important than the condition of other parts of the body. Women closely monitor the condition of facial skin. They use all possible ways to rejuvenate the face and increase its attractiveness.

Sensitive skin owners know that it requires a particularly careful attitude. Moreover, bad chose of care products or methods can provoke deterioration of skin condition. So now we will talk about care and moisturizers for sensitive skin.

  Cosmetics for Sensitive Skin

Some tips for finding the right skin care products.

  Less experiments

The first thing to remember: if you have sensitive skin, experiments are not for you. Don’t blindly trust new products for dry skin or acne that fit your sister or girlfriend.

Note: before you start using a new facial product, apply it to the crease of your elbow and wait for a day. If the skin has not responded to redness or rashes, you can put it in your arsenal.

  Study the product composition (ingredients)

Read all information on the labels of creams, serums, masks, tonics, and etc. It is also recommended that you read online reviews before buying a new product.

A list of the most effective and safest cosmetic ingredients for sensitive skin:

Hyaluronic acid. It moisturizes, accelerates healing, and rejuvenates the skin.

Natural oils. They soften, soothe, and relieve irritation.

Allantoin. It neutralizes irritation, restores damaged cells.

Vitamin E. It is antioxidant, protects and rejuvenates.

If vitamin C, retinol, or benzoyl peroxide is listed in the top five ingredients, perform a preliminary tolerance test. These ingredients with a high degree of probability can provoke irritation, redness or peeling.

  Look for fragrance free cosmetics

In flavorings found up to 200 chemicals with which your skin can interfere. Choose products marked “fragrance-free”.

  Exfoliate your skin gently

It is believed that scrubs are not advisable for sensitive skin owners, but it is not true. It is not forbidden to use them, because it is necessary to help the skin to get rid of dead cells and activate the production of new ones. The main thing is to find the most delicate exfoliant with an appropriate mark. Most likely, you will not fit scrubs with natural abrasives like crushed apricot or raspberry seeds.

Choose exfoliants with natural fruit acids. Use them no more than once every 7-10 days, otherwise, you risk breaking the hydrolipid layer of the skin and causing new redness.

Note: Exfoliating particles in scrubs should be as smooth as possible, atraumatic to the skin. Usually these are granules of synthetic origin.

    Care Rules for Sensitive Skin

“Sensitive skin care should be gentle. It is not necessary to combine products of different brands,” – dermatologists warn

  Facial cleansing and moisturizing

First of all, facial skin needs to be cleansed. In case of hypersensitivity, dermatologists recommend washing with moderately warm water. Ideally, washing with mineral or boiled water (this will reduce the hardness). Apply moisturizer (cream or fluid depending on skin type). Day cream will protect the skin, and night cream will calm it.

Note: use a soft gel, milk, foam or micellar water for cleansing, but not soap. It dries the skin. After washing, do not rub the face with a towel, just get wet.

    Best Moisturizers for Sensitive Face Skin

The selection of effective products is based on real reviews of women who have used these cosmetics.

  Hydra Genius Glowing Water, L’Oréal

    Face fluid for dry and sensitive facial skin.

By contact with the skin, it instantly turns into liquid and absorbed, moisturizing the skin intensely for 72 hours and leaving no greasy shine. Innovative face aqua fluid is an alternative to usual moisturizer.

Its formula, enriched with aloe juice and hyaluronic acid, acts on 5 layers of the epidermis:

skin moisture reserve is replenished;

natural cell metabolism is activated;

protective functions of the skin are restored.

Price: $12 (3.04 fl. oz)

  Toleriane Fluide Daily Soothing Oil-Free Emulsion, La Roche-Posay

    This product is a good choice for intense soothing care to hypersensitive and allergic skin. It instantly soothes, moisturizes and restores sensitive skin. It is unpreserved, free of parabens, sulfates and perfume fragrances. No alcohol, color and lanolin added.

Price: $29.99 (1.35 fl. oz)

  Ultra Facial Cream, Kiehl’s

If your skin needs calmness, softness and smoothness, this cream will come to the rescue and give comfort and balance. Cream texture is rich, but light, so it is suitable for any skin type. This cream prevents excessive moisture loss and provides intensive skin hydration throughout the day. The formula is enriched with a complex of nourishing and moisturizing ingredients: olive-derived squalane and an extract of Glacial Glycoprotein. It is stable to severe winter cold, so its owner will be protected even at very low temperatures.

Price: $18 (1.0 fl oz)

  Moisture Surge Intense Skin Fortifying Hydrator, Clinique

    This face cream provides instant and deep hydration of the skin for 24 hours. Daily use of it helps to strengthen the skin, restore its protective barrier. Intensive moisturizing cream helps the skin to resist negative factors of the environment effectively, gives a feeling of comfort and security.  There are no parabens, phthalates and fragrance. Suitable for very dry and combination skin prone to dryness.

Price: $15 (0.5 fl. oz)

  Centella Sensitive Cica Cream, Kiehl’s

    An effective moisturizer for dehydrated and sensitive skin.

This product is designed specifically for regular care and protection of sensitive and dry skin, as well as for the restoration of damaged and irritated skin. It instantly soothes, softens, restores balance and gives a feeling of comfort. It provides skin with moisture and protection all day long. The formula is enriched with D-Panthenol and sustainably-sourced Madecassoside derived from Centella Asiatica.

Price: $43 (1.07 fl. oz)

  Calendula & Aloe Soothing Hydration Masque, Kiehl’s

    Gel face mask with calendula petals and aloe extract has an instant cooling, refreshing and soothing effect. It nourishes the skin with moisture and gives a feeling of comfort. The skin instantly transforms and looks fresh, well-rested.

Price: $18 (0.95 fl. oz)

  Hydra Zen Gel Cream, Lancôme

    Anti-stress gel moisturizer.

This gel-cream protects epidermal cells from adverse effects of wind, excessive sunlight and low temperatures in winter. It accelerates cell metabolism, moisturizes, neutralizes the signs of stress, manifested in form of inflammatory centres and redness.

Price: $48.00 (1.7 fl. oz)

      Following the rules for sensitive skin care, given your type, you can avoid many problems and make your skin beautiful and radiant.

And, of course, do not forget that sensitive skin is not a diagnosis or a sentence. Properly selected care products and safe cosmetics will help you to reduce all unpleasant symptoms to a minimum and enjoy a clean, healthy and beautiful skin.

[lopezdorothy70-blog]

Chamomile Tea: Why This Ancient Therapeutic Drink Still Stands Out Today

The story of chamomile goes back to ancient European and Western Asian civilizations. Greeks, Egyptians and Romans valued the flower for its varied uses, such as for treating erythema and xerosis (severely dry skin). Hippocrates, the father of medicine, was one of the first luminaries to advocate the use of this plant.1

It was only during the Medieval Age that chamomile came into widespread use. During the 16th and 17th centuries, doctors and healers prescribed chamomile for all kinds of uses, and it was even used as an ingredient to make other medicines. Chamomile was also taken as a tea, and is still a practice that survives today.2

The Potential Benefits of Drinking Chamomile Tea

Chamomile contains a mixture of essential oils, vitamins and minerals that are known to provide an array of benefits. One of the easiest ways of gaining these positive effects is to make tea from the flowers, which is one of the most common ways of consuming chamomile.3 Here are several documented benefits of chamomile tea that may help with your health:

Improves cardiovascular function: Flavonoids in plants like chamomile have been long associated with a lower risk of death from coronary heart disease, as well as myocardial infarction.

In a study published in The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, chamomile tea helped improve brachial artery pressure among the participants 30 minutes after drinking.4

Improves digestive function for babies with colic: Chamomile tea may be helpful in reducing colic in babies, especially when combined with other herbs.

In a correlated study published in Pediatrics in Review, infants who took chamomile tea had a success rate of 57 percent in the elimination of colic compared to those who only took a placebo, which only had a success rate of 27 percent.5

Induces sleepiness: Chamomile tea has long been known for its ability to help induce sleep, especially when taken via tea or aromatherapy.

In the study conducted on brachial artery patients, researchers also observed that 10 of the participants went into a deep sleep for 90 minutes after drinking chamomile tea.6

Helps lower risk of thyroid cancer: Apigenin, an antioxidant found in chamomile, has been shown to fight various cancer cells (breast, digestive tract, skin, prostate and uterus) in test tube studies.7,8

Another study supports this claim, as evidenced in the European Journal of Public Health. Researchers found that there's an inverse relationship between chamomile tea consumption and benign/malignant thyroid diseases among the Greek patients who participated in the study.9

Helps manage blood sugar levels: According to a study published in the Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, Type 2 diabetics who consumed chamomile tea regularly experienced decreased concentration of HbA1C, serum insulin levels, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance.10

Helps manage inflammation: Chamomile contains compounds that may help prevent inflammation caused by microbes.

In one example, chamomile has been shown to inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori,11 a microbe that can cause peptic ulcers.12

More Nutrition Facts About Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is a caffeine-free, low-calorie drink, with only 2.4 calories per cup, so if you're looking for a beverage that's nutritious yet won't add excess weight, this can be a beneficial choice for you. It also contains potassium, vitamin A, calcium and folate. The following table provides a good overview of its nutritional values:13

Chamomile Tea, Brewed – Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 cup (237 grams)   Amt. Per Serving   % Daily Value* Calories 2.4 Iron 0.2 mg Total Carbs 0.5 g Potassium 21.3 mg Vitamin A 47.4 g     Folate 2.4 mcg     Choline 0.9 g     Calcium 4.7 g    

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie

How to Grow and Store Chamomile for Your Own Use

The secret to making great-tasting chamomile tea is using high-quality, pesticide-free flowers, preferably from your own garden. Luckily, growing your own chamomile flowers is a relatively easy endeavor, and their beautiful appearance can significantly uplift the aesthetics of your garden.

There are two chamomile variations: Roman chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) and German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla). The former is considered the true chamomile variety, but the latter is also acceptable and used for nearly the same things. The steps for growing them are virtually identical, so you can simply choose which one you prefer for your tea.14

To begin growing chamomile, find a plot of land with full sun exposure and moderately rich organic soil that has a neutral pH range between 5.6 and 7.5. Soil quality is important because poor soil conditions can cause the stems to become floppier.15

Plant the seeds around six weeks before the last expected frost. It's crucial that you place them on top of the soil but do not cover them with another layer, because they need light to germinate properly. Let the seeds stratify over the winter, and they should germinate within seven to 14 days. Water regularly until the plants mature while being careful not to overdo it, as the plant can withstand drought.16

Your harvest of chamomile flowers will be bountiful, as the plants bloom two months after sowing, and will continue throughout the summer. To dry, cut the stems and place in a warm spot until dry, but make sure they are not exposed to direct sunlight. Once complete, your flowers can last up to a year when stored in a sealed container.17

Making Your Own Chamomile Tea Is Easy

Chamomile tea is easy to prepare once you have your stock of dried flowers, but fresh flowers are also amenable. Simply follow this easy recipe to make your homemade chamomile tea:18

How to Make Chamomile Tea

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons fresh chamomile flowers

• 2 cups filtered water

• 2 apple slices (thinly cut)

• Raw honey to taste

Procedure

1. Bring the water to a boil.

2. While the water is boiling, add the apple slices to the teapot and mash them with a spoon.

3. Add the flowers and the boiling water into the teapot.

4. Cover and steep for three to five minutes.

5. Strain the tea into the cups.

6. Add honey to taste.

Side Effects Associated With Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea can be enjoyed by most people; however, it may cause allergic reactions in some.19 In a report published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, an 8-year-old boy developed a severe anaphylactic reaction after drinking chamomile tea. Researchers discovered that the chamomile consumed by the boy contained small traces of pollen from other plants, such as mugwort and ragweed.20

If you want to reduce your risk of allergies, it is important that you grow your own chamomile or purchase 100 percent organic chamomile tea. Be sure to assess with your doctor to learn whether you're allergic to the daisy family of plants before drinking chamomile tea.

While there's published evidence that chamomile tea may help infants with colic, caution is advised in this regard. There's scientific proof indicating chamomile tea may also increase their risk of acquiring botulism. Researchers noted that chamomile may harbor Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria responsible for the disease.21 If you wish to use chamomile tea to treat your child's colic, be very cautious and thoroughly consult with your doctor before proceeding.

Pregnant women who are past their terms, however, may benefit from taking chamomile. In one study, post-pregnant women who took two 500-milligram chamomile capsules every eight hours (for a total of 42 capsules) helped stimulate labor, thereby decreasing the risk of perinatal mortality and morbidity.22 I advise post-term pregnant women who want to try this approach to consult with their doctor first.

Almost Everyone Can Benefit From Chamomile Tea, but Be Aware of Its Contraindications

Based on the published research, almost anyone can benefit and enjoy chamomile tea, but beware of the side effects, especially for infants and children. If you're thinking about incorporating this herbal tea into your diet, be sure to consult with your doctor first to rule out allergies and potential complications that may disrupt your health.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chamomile Tea

Q: Is chamomile tea safe?

A: Chamomile tea is generally safe to drink for healthy adults. When treating colic for infants, however, caution is strongly advised as consuming it may increase their risk of other diseases, namely botulism. Consult with a doctor first for safety reasons.

Q: What does chamomile tea taste like?

A: Chamomile tea is commonly described as having an apple-like taste with floral sweetness. It normally doesn't require any sweeteners due to its natural flavor, but other ingredients can be added if you want to experiment.23

Q: Does chamomile tea help with sleep?

A: Yes, chamomile tea may help encourage sleepiness.

Q: Can you drink chamomile tea while pregnant?

A: As mentioned earlier in one study, chamomile may help induce labor, especially among women who are past their term. However, consult your health care practitioner before proceeding.

Q: What does chamomile tea do?

A: Chamomile tea is known for helping induce sleep, relieving stress and alleviating stomach issues.

Does chamomile tea have caffeine?

A: Chamomile tea does not have caffeine and, on the contrary, can be used to help promote sleep.

Q: How much chamomile tea can babies drink?

A: Children and babies should not be given chamomile tea unless necessary, such as for treating colic, and then only after consulting with a health care professional first.

Q: Where can you buy chamomile tea?

A: Chamomile tea can be purchased online or from stores near you. However, the more important thing to consider is the quality of the product. Certified organic chamomile tea is always preferred to ensure quality, freshness and bioavailability of the ingredients.

Q: Does chamomile tea stain your teeth?

A: Yes, herbal teas like chamomile tea may stain your teeth, with low-quality varieties causing even worse appearance. However, adding a dash of raw, grass fed milk into your cup may help reduce the effects.24

[plant-lights-yr]

The application of Yaorong LED plant growth lamp in multi-field planting

The five pillars essential for plant growth are temperature, moisture, nutrition, air and light. The quality of light, intensity of light, and time of illumination determine the growth cycle of plants.

Different wavelengths of light have different effects on plant photosynthesis. The light required for plant photosynthesis has a wavelength of about 400-700nm. 400-500nm (blue) light and 610-720nm (red) contribute a lot to photosynthesis. Blue light helps plant photosynthesis to promote green leaf growth, protein synthesis, and fruit formation; red light can promote plant rhizome growth, help flowering and fruiting and prolong flowering, and increase yield.

When using LED plant lights to fill the plants with light, the height from the leaves is generally about 0.5-1 meters, and continuous exposure for 12-16 hours a day can replace the sun. Solve the problem of lack of sunlight in the greenhouse in winter, promote the chlorophyll, anthocyanin and carotene needed in the photosynthesis of plants, so that the fruits and vegetables are harvested 20% earlier, increase the yield by 30 to 50%, and increase the sweetness of the fruits and vegetables. Reduce pests and diseases.

Plants grow in the open-air nature. Each plant has formed its own photoperiod gene. However, due to various uncontrollable natural factors, their true growth talent has not been tapped. LED plant lights bring plants from outdoors to indoors. , Various growth conditions can be controlled artificially, which completely activates the growth cells of plants, and regulates the photoperiod of plants through LED plant lights, thereby affecting the growth of plants.

Yaorong LED plant growth lights replace or supplement the existing greenhouse lighting system, enabling greenhouse growers to increase crop yields, improve crop quality, and reduce daily electricity consumption by using LED plant growth lights. Compared with traditional high-pressure sodium lamps, LED light sources save more electricity and generate less heat, and Sansi’s unique ceramic pixel heat dissipation structure eliminates the need to install fans for heat dissipation or add water cooling systems, which saves more for growers. Much cost.

Yaorong LED plant growth lamp top light illumination Planting leafy vegetables and herbs can improve crop taste and yield. Leafy vegetables often need to grow in a relatively low temperature environment, but sufficient light will make them grow better. Leafy vegetable cultivation systems are different. According to the actual cultivation mode, environmental conditions and variety differences, the spectrum used should also be adjusted accordingly. The appropriate spectrum can bring yield and benefits. The same spectrum can be used throughout the entire cultivation cycle of leafy vegetables. However, if the grower has a deeper understanding and mastery of the spectrum and fine-tunes the spectrum during different growth periods, the results may be better. The LED plant growth lamp uses LED as the luminous body, which can provide the required light conditions for the photosynthesis of plants in an environment lacking sunlight, so that the plants can grow and develop normally or better. LED lights have the functions of strengthening roots, promoting, adjusting flowering period and flower color, promoting fruit ripening and coloring, and improving taste and quality. In recent years, new LED lighting technology has developed rapidly. As Yaorong's fifth-generation new lighting source, LED has many characteristics that are different from other electric light sources, which makes it the best choice for energy-saving and environmentally-friendly light sources.

LED plant growth can plant strawberries to achieve annual planting and improve fruit quality. Strawberries are light-loving plants. By controlling the light and temperature, the annual production of strawberries can be achieved. Through the self-developed lens light distribution, Yaorong LED plant light greatly improves the uniformity of light, and improves the consistency of the appearance of the fruit and the overall quality.

For the annual production of crops such as tomatoes and cucumbers, such as led plants, and high-yield and high-quality tomatoes and cucumbers to achieve annual production, sufficient light has become a necessary condition. Fruits and vegetables require significantly higher light than leafy vegetables. Tomatoes and cucumbers belong to the fruit and vegetable crops with larger crowns. In addition to the top light supplement, the light supplement between the plants must be combined. The top supplementary light source is installed on the top of the greenhouse, and the inter-plant supplementary light source is arranged in the upper middle part of the canopy between the two rows of plants.

Yaorong led plant lighting for fresh cut flowers is planted with good flower quality and high production efficiency. The quality factors of fresh cut flowers include the length, weight, vase period, flower color and uniformity of fresh cut flowers. And all these factors are affected by the spectrum and other environmental factors. Effectively optimize these factors, provide suitable light for fresh cut flowers and optimize environmental factors, such as temperature and humidity. It will improve the overall quality of fresh cut flowers.

LED plant lights also have the following characteristics: rich wavelength types, just in line with the spectral range of plant photosynthesis and light morphology; narrow half-width of the spectrum wave width, can be combined as needed to obtain pure monochromatic light and composite spectrum; it can concentrate light balance of specific wavelengths Irradiate crops on the ground; it can not only adjust the flowering and fruiting of crops, but also control the plant height and nutrient content of the plants; the system generates less heat and occupies a small space. It can be used in a multi-layer cultivation three-dimensional combination system to achieve low heat load and miniaturization of production space . The advantages of LED light sources are high luminous efficiency, long service life, reliability, environmental protection and energy saving, so the prospect of LED in the lighting market will be more concerned. In addition to the above crops, Yaorong LED plant growth lights are also suitable for seedlings and potted plants. Plant growth is a complex biological process, and a large number of studies have confirmed that light quality has a significant effect on plant morphology. The LED plant growth lamp with good light is particularly important for growers.

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[yaorong]

Can the use of 1000wLED grow lights reduce costs?

LED grow light is a special kind of light, according to the law of plant growth, it must need sunlight, and 1000wLED grow light is a kind of light that uses the principle of sunlight to replace sunlight to give plants growth and development environment. Now 1000wLED grow light. It can achieve high energy efficiency, and the spectrum and band can be changed manually. It not only saves energy, but also improves the growth efficiency of plants and the nutrients needed. Can the use of 1000wLED grow lights reduce costs? First of all, let's take a look at what changes have been brought about by the use of LED grow lights?

After application test, the wavelength of 1000wLED grow light is very suitable for plant growth, flowering and fruiting. As the seasons change, indoor plants and flowers will get worse and worse. The main reason is insufficient light. Using 1000w LED grow lights to fill light, and applying this high-efficiency light source system to agricultural production such as greenhouses and greenhouses can solve the disadvantage of insufficient sunlight. 1000w LED grow light makes everything possible. It has rich wavelength types, which coincides with the spectral range of plant photosynthesis and light morphology; its spectral wave width is narrow at half width, and can be combined as needed to obtain pure monochromatic light and composite spectrum; it It can concentrate light of specific wavelength to irradiate crops evenly.

1000wLED plant growth light controls plant growth by adjusting the light. The ability to continuously grow food locally represents a major breakthrough for mankind. Allowing people to grow food indoors and making full use of waste space is also a way to efficiently produce food.

Removing transportation costs from the food chain is also a major breakthrough. The ability to consistently provide fresh and wholesome food represents a major change in people’s lifestyle and quality of life. 1000w LED grow lights increase the density of food production. This is of great significance. There are still deficiencies in the environment in some places. The plant factory will continue to expand and use 1000wLED plant growth lights as a large warehouse entity to provide food for the public and people who need special nutrition.

The use of 1000wLED grow lights can greatly promote plant growth and improve plant production efficiency according to the growth characteristics of plants. Its productivity is 30% higher than traditional planting. It needs to be on the market about a week in advance, its nutritional value is higher than traditional planting, and can continue to be cultivated without being restricted by the natural environment, seasons and regions, and providing plants throughout the year.

In the field of artificial plant lighting, including high-pressure sodium lamps, fluorescent lamps, metal halide lamps, incandescent lamps, etc., the disadvantages of these light sources are high energy consumption, high operating costs, and energy costs account for high total costs, so the benefits they bring are low. Improving luminous efficiency and reducing energy consumption have become an important issue in the field of artificial lighting for plants, and the emergence of 1000wLED grow lights has just solved this problem. The LED plant growth light spectrum is very suitable for plant growth.

The full spectrum of LED grow lights promotes the growth of plants at various stages. Plant growth requires photosynthesis, and the wavelength is about 400-700 nm. 400-500 nm (light blue) and 610-720 nm (red) photosynthesis contribute the most. That is, red light with a wavelength between 620nm-660nm and blue light with a wavelength between 450-470. Red light promotes plant stems, flowering, and fruiting. Blue light mainly prevents plants from growing, promotes the formation of plant dry matter, has a significant effect on the growth of rhizomes, and can promote the synthesis and quantity of protein and fat. The red-to-blue ratio of LED plant growth lights is generally 4:19:1 which is a suitable ratio, usually 4≤7≤1.

The effect of 1000wLED grow light is very significant, and the growth rate is almost 3 times faster than that of natural growing plants. 1000wLED grow light is generally suspended at a height of 0.5-1 meters from the leaves, and it needs continuous irradiation for 12-16 hours every day. Replace sunlight. In the winter when there is often no sunlight, the use of LED grow lights in greenhouses can also grow green vegetables, which can improve the sweetness of vegetables and fruits, reduce diseases and insect pests, and increase the yield by 30 to 50%.

The 1000w LED grow light is energy-saving. The LED grow light uses a highly reliable advanced packaging process-eutectic welding, which makes the life of the LED grow light longer. Under the same power, the light-emitting effect is better than traditional plant lights. More power saving, and more environmentally friendly and energy-saving.

From the above, it can be seen that the use of 1000w LED grow lights has brought about changes in plant planting methods, increased plant yields, shorter plant maturity cycles, more energy-saving and environmental protection, and longer service life. Although the initial investment cost is high, it is used in the later stage. 1000wLED grow lights can not only reduce costs, but also bring high returns.

1000wLED grow lights are widely used, and are mostly used in greenhouses, plant factories, greenhouse cultivation, flower cultivation, indoor gardens, water-soluble cultivation, pipeline cultivation, farms, potted plants, spray cultivation, tissue culture, etc. It is suitable for any growth stage of plants, and is very effective for aqueous solution cultivation and soil cultivation.

1000wLED grow lights can realize soilless cultivation, which can reduce the problems of soil destruction or poor soil resources in some areas. At the same time, it can change the current planar planting method and realize three-dimensional planting, which will completely subvert the current agricultural planting method. , Will have epoch-making significance. LED grow lighting will have more and greater development potential.

[yaorong]

Why can LED grow lights stand out from the four major plant lights

The global plant lamp market is divided into four categories, mainly LED grow lights, fluorescent lamps, high pressure sodium (HPS) lamps, incandescent lamps and halogen lamps. Let us take a look.

1. LED grow light

By 2020, the global LED grow light market will reach 1.9 billion US dollars, with a compound annual growth rate of more than 25%. The LED grow light market is relatively new, and the technology has been developing, and more efficient products have been continuously introduced. The lifespan of LED grow lights is 10 times longer than that of ordinary energy-saving lamps, without frequent replacement, and it also saves electricity costs. Compared with other lights, LED grow lights generate less heat, and the LED light source is a cold light source. As long as the ventilation is maintained, auxiliary heat dissipation equipment is not required.

2. Fluorescent light

By 2020, the global fluorescent lamp market is expected to reach 1 billion U.S. dollars, mainly used in gardener lighting. It is also used for seed germination. Nowadays, high-yield and high-efficiency fluorescent lamps have been developed. The newly-developed fluorescent lighting is more efficient and low in temperature, easy to install, and only needs to replace the bulb, which is more efficient and cost-effective.

3. High pressure sodium lamp

By 2020, the global market value of high pressure sodium lamps is expected to reach 157 million U.S. dollars. The light emitted by the high-pressure sodium lamp can make plants produce, fruit and ripen. The advantage of the high-pressure sodium lamp is that the lighting range is wide, but it should not be too close to the plant, because the heat generated is more likely to burn the plant, and the high-pressure sodium lamp will become weak after using it for a long time. The lifespan of 18,000 hours is too short compared to the LED grow light, it needs frequent replacement, and the cost is relatively high.

4. Incandescent lamps and halogen lamps

The global incandescent lamp and halogen lamp market value will reach 79.5 million U.S. dollars by 2020, with a compound annual decline rate of 1.5%.

Incandescent lamps generally make us see more, because they are also used at home, but one of the disadvantages of using incandescent lamps as plant lamps is that it does not save energy. The part of the energy that does not produce light will generate extra heat. Incandescent lamps are not used as plant lamps. Too suitable, so is the halogen lamp, because its performance is similar to that of an incandescent lamp.

Advantages of LED grow lights:

1. Different wavelengths of light have different effects on plant photosynthesis. The light required for plant photosynthesis has a wavelength of about 400-700nm. 400-500nm (blue) light and 610-720nm (red) contribute the most to photosynthesis, and LED grow lights have this.

2. Blue light can promote the growth of plant leaves, the synthesis of plant substances and the formation of plant fruits; red light can promote the growth of plant rhizomes, help flowering and fruiting, and increase yield!

3. The ratio of red and blue LEDs of LED grow lights is generally between 4:1-9:1, usually 6-9:1.

4. When plant lights are used to fill plants with light, the height from the leaves is generally about 0.5-1 meters, and continuous exposure for 12-16 hours a day can completely replace the sun.

5. The effect is very significant, because it is not affected by other factors of the natural climate and regional lights, so that the plants will always grow better.

6. Solve the problem of lack of sunlight in the greenhouse in winter, promote the various elements needed in plant photosynthesis, make the fruits and vegetables harvested 20% earlier, and increase the yield by 3 to 50%.

7. LED light source is also called semiconductor light source, which can emit light of specified wavelength, so it can control the color of light. When it is used to illuminate plants, the growth of plants can be improved by dimming.

8. The power of LED grow lights is low, but the efficiency is extremely high, because the light emitted is full spectrum, that is to say, there are 7 colors, which are needed by plants. Traditional plant lights do not have most of the light, only plant lights meet.

In summary, the market price of LED grow lights is higher than that of the other three plant lights, but it has more advantages than the other three plant lights in terms of performance, lifespan, and effect, and is more worthy of consumers to buy. The various LED grow lights produced by Shenzhen Yaorong are well received by users. On the road of future development, Yaorong Technology will always insist on producing good products to help more plants grow more efficient and reliable.