10 common mistakes to avoid while using LED grow lights
When you decide to grow your plant indoor and not in a traditional way of outdoor plantation, grow lights are the substitute for sunrays. The best option among the cultivators these days’ is LED grow lights as they are cost effective as compared to other grow lights like High intensity discharge lights. LEDs are low in maintenance and are long lasting as compared to fluorescent lights. They are available in various light spectrums for different plant stages like red to orange for initial stage, blue to violet for vegetative stage etc. But while using these lights, there are some precautions to be taken. Below are some factors to be avoided while using LED grow lights for indoor cultivation of cannabis.
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Let us discuss on some factors that should be avoided while growing your cannabis indoor
Choosing the right seeds.
Specifically, for Cannabis cultivation, the selection of right seeds is the most important factor. Since cannabis shows gender differentiation in plants (cannabis has Male and Female plants and seeds). Out of both only female plants generates the best yields. Other than the gender of the plant, Quality of cannabis seed is a very important selection to be made. Cultivator must avoid using bag seeds / remaining seeds and use only good quality of seeds to have better results.
Choosing the right seeds.
It is good that you have decided to have your own indoor grow area, but cultivators must be completely prepared for the cultivation and must have all the pre-requisites before starting. It starts with choosing the right grow area for your cultivation. As plant size increases when it grows hence cultivators should have sufficient space in the grow area for fully grown plants. The indoor LED lights should also be enough to cover the area by full grown plants.
Having right logistics and infrastructure for grow area.
The LED grow lights are available in various colour spectrum. Each colour spectrum is beneficial for a specific growing stage of plants. For instance, the colour spectrum that lies between red to orange is very beneficial for early stage of a plant, commonly known as seedling stage. Further in vegetative stage the colour spectrum between blue to violet suits the plant. Different shades give a false impression of natural day light to the plants.
Choosing the right light colour spectrum.
Another common mistake that cultivators may commit is the distance between LED lights and the plant. LED lights do not produce immense heat like High intensity discharge lights. Hence the distance can be reduced between plants and lights. Distance between LED lights and the plants should also be changed from time to time based on the growth of a plant. For instance, In the initial stage the distance between Seedlings and lights can be between 150 – 300 mm. It may be increased further as the plant grows. Also, if there is dryness observed in plants or leaves appear to dry up, Distance can be increased.
Distance between lights and plants.
It is a very important assessment that needs to be done before the installations of the lights. As per the size of the grow area and the number of plants cultivated, Number of LED lights should be installed. These days LED grow lights can be installed in a daisy chain method where number of lights can be installed with 1 single program installed in linear way. Some cultivators use extra number of grow lights for better results or better yields. But this may harm the plant or may burn them. Hence it is always advisable to know the number of Grow lights to be used in your grow area. These days Grow light calculators are also available online which tells us the no of grow lights to be used in square feet area.
No of units used in a grow area.
There should always be a proper ventilation in the grow area. There are major two reasons for it.
The plants need carbon dioxide to synthesise the light energies and perform the process of photosynthesis. For this there should be an exhaust fan which would provide the plants with the air and carbon dioxide.
The grow lights generate some amount of heat. HID lights emit large amount of heat and LED produces less heat but to maintain the temperature within the grow area there should be a proper ventilation.
Maintaining a time table for grow lights
When the plants are cultivated outdoors, then there is a natural time cycle maintained for plants which is from sun rise to sun sets. Plants perform their photosynthesis procedure in that time. But in the case of indoor cultivation where the photosynthesis procedure depends on the artificial lights, There the cultivator should follow a time cycle of the lights. There should a blackout time and full light time for plants. In LED grow lights, cultivators can maintain a full light time of 16 – 17 hours and then have a blackout time for plants. This helps in strengthening the plants and they take their natural time to grow and enter in different stages of growth.
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Maintaining temperature of the grow area
Temperature maintenance is one important aspect that mostly people commit a mistake while opting for indoor farming. While installations of LED lights, the natural temperature should be considered. Extreme low temperature, or high temperature or humidity are not favourable for a healthy cannabis cultivation. This can be avoided by choosing the right series of LED light and right number of installation.
Water management
This is an extremely critical part that needs to be taken care of. HID light may cause dryness in soil and burns in leaves while LED light does not emit high amount of heat. Cultivators who have used HID lights end up over watering their plants which eventually makes a plant appear pale. Hence less watering or over water both are bad for plants. Also, there should be a regular check on the pH level of the water.
Choosing the right LED light:
Last but not the least, always choose the right LED for your plants. The selection should be based on the light spectrum required, number of lights required and the right BRAND. There are many brands available in market. But choose the right one for your indoor cultivation.
