reflected light

NJP87 · #1 (**permalink**) 19-09-2009, 02:09 PM

This maybe a strange question but is reflected light just as good as direct sunlight for growing plants?

The reason i ask is that i am currently building my pond but it will only get direct sunlight for a very short amount of time, and i am wondering whether it would be a good idea to have some large mirrors to get some sunlight on it for longer.

TIA

Nick

loripo · #2 (**permalink**) 19-09-2009, 05:16 PM

I had a poke round and found this:
Vegetable growing handbook: organic ... - Google Books
I cant see why you shouldnt be able to - lots of things, especially the unlawful stuff is grown entirely in artificial light

NJP87 · #3 (**permalink**) 19-09-2009, 06:07 PM

Thanks loripo.

I used to grow corals with metal halides but it would be a bit expensive lighting a pond

Cotham Marble · #4 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJP87

This maybe a strange question but is reflected light just as good as direct sunlight for growing plants?

The reason i ask is that i am currently building my pond but it will only get direct sunlight for a very short amount of time, and i am wondering whether it would be a good idea to have some large mirrors to get some sunlight on it for longer. TIA Nick

This is a fantasticaly complicated proposiition to which I doubt there is any possible definitively helpful response.

Normal daylight has a broad spectrum of light, and it is this to which plants have evolved to exploit, of course different species have adapted to exploit different light intensities and some thrive in shade. Artificial light from the average household light bulb is both low intensity and limited spectrum which is why only certain types of plant do well in homes - mostly those selected from jungle or forest understorey.

The quality of reflected light is a function of the quality of the 'mirror', additionally the 'volume' of redirected light will be a function of the mirror surface as well as the incidence of direct light (as opposed to diffused) light striking the mirror. The percentage increase in illumination from reflected 'diffuse' light is likely to be insignficant for most plants and the only significant increase would probably come from having a mirror surface that would reflect direct light - which may be problematic if this requires tracking the sun !

On balance I can't see anything short of some fairly large mirroring having an impact on the light levels of a pond surface - and this might have knock on effects such inhibiting birds from visiting your garden. If you genuinely like the idea of 'mirroring' your garden then go ahead on that basis and see what it does for the pond, but it in any event it seems a high resource input for an environmental improvement.

CM

NJP87 · #5 (**permalink**) 20-09-2009, 12:05 PM

Hmm, thanks very much for the info Cotham Marble, the only reason for the mirror idea was because i am not sure the pond is going to get enough light to grow any plants.

The postion currently get about 1hr total coverage of sunlight and 3-4hrs of half coverage, do you think that will be sufficient?

Cotham Marble · #6 (**permalink**) 21-09-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJP87

Hmm, thanks very much for the info Cotham Marble, the only reason for the mirror idea was because i am not sure the pond is going to get enough light to grow any plants.

The postion currently get about 1hr total coverage of sunlight and 3-4hrs of half coverage, do you think that will be sufficient?

I'm no expert on ponds - I've just a got a bit of a horticultural background that involved dealing with light levels -and that was mainly related to either glasshouse growing or indoor exotics.

My previous neighbour had a pond just a metre from the house wall and on the north side of the house, so the pond was in permanent shade. The plant range was limited and I never actually took note of what plants were there - however there were at least two species of aquatic snail, frogs and smooth newts. On that basis I'd say you were safe to go ahead and experiment with a pond in the location you've described, though you may need to be prepared to vary your preferred plant species over time.

CM

NJP87 · #7 (**permalink**) 21-09-2009, 09:34 AM

Thanks again Cotham Marble , i'm going to see how it goes for a while, and if i have to i'll remove the shed.

Nick

Elean0r · #8 (**permalink**) 05-10-2009, 01:10 PM

Even painting a wall white will improve the light levels, so anything is worth trying as long as you don't waste too much money experimenting.

But if you look at natural ponds, some of them are deep in woodland and still have a full range of plants and animals - it's just a case of choosing the right ones for the position.