- Energy Efficiency: LED lights consume significantly less energy than HPS or CMH systems, resulting in considerably lower electricity bills.
- Low Heat Emission: Unlike HPS lamps, which generate a lot of heat and require additional ventilation, LED lights produce much less heat, making it easier to maintain optimal temperatures in the grow space.
- Longer Lifespan: LEDs have a longer life service compared to HPS or MH lamps, reducing the need for frequent replacements and lowering long-term costs.
- Adjustable Spectrum: Many LED lights offer adjustable light spectrums, tailored to suit the specific needs of each stage of plant growth, unlike traditional lamps which emit light at a fixed spectrum.
- Sustainability: With lower energy consumption and longer operational life service, LEDs are a more environmentally friendly lighting solution.
Technical Characteristics of LED Panels
LED panels are ideal for cannabis cultivation due to their advanced technical features, which include:
- Power: LED lamps come in various power outputs, from under 100W to over 1000W, depending on the size of the grow space and the grower's needs. However, thanks to their efficiency, LED lamps provide higher light output than traditional HPS lamps.
- Lumens per watt: This measures the amount of visible light emitted per watt of energy consumed. LED lamps generate more lumens per watt than other lighting systems.
- PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation): LED lights are designed to maximise the amount of PAR, the part of the light spectrum used for photosynthesis, which leads to more efficient plant growth.
- Cooling System: While LED lamps generate less heat than other light sources, many come equipped with heat sinks or fans to help maintain optimal growing temperatures.
Types of LED panels for cannabis cultivation
One of the greatest advantages of LED lamps is their ability to adjust the light spectrum, which refers to the different wavelengths of light that plants absorb for photosynthesis. LEDs can provide the ideal spectrum for each phase of the cannabis growth cycle:
- Blue Light: Best for the vegetative phase, as it promotes strong leaf and stem growth.
- Red and Orange Light: During the flowering phase, red and orange light stimulates flower and resin production, leading to denser buds with higher cannabinoid levels.
- Full Spectrum: Many LED lamps offer a full spectrum, simulating natural sunlight, which allows them to be used effectively throughout both the vegetative and flowering stages without the need for changing the lights.
Growing cannabis with LED panels
In recent years, growing cannabis with LED panels has gained popularity due to the many benefits they offer over traditional lighting systems. Firstly, LED lamps are highly energy-efficient, allowing significant savings on electricity costs. They also produce much less heat than HPS or CMH lights, reducing the risk of burning plants and making temperature control easier. This is particularly useful in indoor cannabis growing, where excessive heat can negatively impact plant growth.
In this post we will focus on explaining how to use the new LED lighting systems along with their advantages and disadvantages for indoor growing. The cultivation of marijuana with LED lights is becoming more and more widespread among cannabis growers, new LED lighting systems are appearing that will give us high performance which we must take into account to get the best results in our indoor crops.
Another major advantage of LED panels is the ability to adjust the light spectrum to provide the exact wavelengths that plants need at each stage of their life cycle, from vegetative growth to flowering. This enhanced control over the light spectrum improves plant development and yields, resulting in denser, more resinous buds. Additionally, due to their compact size, LEDs allow for more efficient use of space, making them ideal for small grow tents or small growing areas.
However, when using LEDs, it is important to keep in mind that cannabis plants often require additional calcium and magnesium. High-intensity LED lights can cause plants to consume more of these essential nutrients. To prevent calcium and magnesium deficiencies, it is recommended to use specific supplements in the irrigation solution or fertilisers, especially during the growth and flowering phases. Additionally, ambient temperatures should be monitored, particularly in colder months, and supplemental heating should be added if necessary.
Finally, to optimise the use of LED panels and ensure that plants receive the right amount of light, a PAR meter (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) is crucial. This device measures the intensity of light reaching the plants' leaves, helping growers determine the ideal distance between the lamps and plants at each stage of growth. Maintaining the correct distance maximises light absorption without causing stress or burns, promoting healthier and more uniform cultivation development.
In conclusion, LED lamps have revolutionised indoor cannabis cultivation by offering growers an efficient, versatile, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional lighting systems.
