Several states in the USA such as Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, California, Nevada, Massachusetts and the federal district of Washington D.C. allow personal cannabis cultivation for recreational growers and medical patients. In certain states such as California, recreational cultivation is limited to indoor growing.
For some cannabis growers, the main goal is to maximize the quantity of their harvest’s yield. For others, it is to achieve the best taste and highest quality buds. Among home cannabis growers, hybrid genetics and experimenting is a popular trend. This is possible through genetics, supplements, and other growing techniques.
Though it is not an easy job to grow it indoors, marijuana or cannabis can grow without you having to worry about the costs. In addition to the growing medium, secure location, and seeds, LED grow lights will be a key investment in the growth process. You should know that grow lights come in a wide range of prices, effectiveness and quality.
Understanding the Lighting Needs of Your Cannabis
Photosynthesis is a process through which plants absorb light and transform it into chemical energy needed for growth. When you decide to install a grow light, the light source produces different light spectrums, and each one varies in energy output and wavelength. The cultivation of cannabis has specific requirements of light. It is not enough to just shine some bright light on the plants and let it be. To ensure the best yield from grow lights for cannabis, it is important that you consider the following:
1. Color of Lights
Grow lights come in a spectrum of different colors and at different ratios. Generally, blue lights have smaller frequency but contain more energy. Red spectra are at a higher frequency and have less energy. A combination of blue, violet and red wavelengths as the primary colors along with a few other secondary and yet other tertiary colors will make up the best combination for cannabis photosynthesis. The most efficient combination will have 7-8 different wavelengths of light blended together to make a powerful indoor grow light.
2. Duration of Light Exposure
Cannabis requires longer duration of light during their vegetative stage. Ideal daily light exposure during this stage is 16-18 hours of light. When plants reach the flowering stage, they require the same amount of light and dark, thus a 12-hour light schedule. When outdoors, this happens naturally, but indoor cannabis should need timers to keep the growth cycle in balance and reduce the risk of plant stress. Note that plant stress could result in buds being too seedy.
3. Light Intensity
Measured with various metrics such as wattage for LED grow lights and Lumens for white light such as HID lighting, light intensity determines the amount of light plants absorb. Low intensity lights tend to produce stringy and long plants as they stretch more to access sufficient light. However, plants under higher light intensity grow bushier and shorter with more yields. When you have LED grow lights, you can adjust their distance from the plant accordingly.
LED Grow Lights for Indoor Cannabis
Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) for indoor-gardening are becoming the preferred method because they are relatively cool, energy efficient and require no additional components. They come in a full spectrum of light colors and are compact. High quality LED grow lights are easy to maintain, waste little energy as heat and are very cost efficient. LED lights can help to yield healthy plants for a little cost.
G8 Led Grow Light
G8 LED grow lights are highly acclaimed and award-winning lights that come in various sizes. They are full spectrum lights that are ideal for cannabis, especially in producing large yields that can compete with high-pressure sodium bulbs. They promote higher quality buds, keep the growth stage in a balance and emit wavelengths that are perfectly tuned for cannabis harvests. Although these grow lights work in the best ways to keep your cannabis growing in the right condition, you must also keep track of your grow room conditions. These include waters, air, and control of pests.
Although high quality LED grow lights cost more upfront, they save continually during their operation and typically pay for themselves in just one year of usage. Since they are more efficient, they consume less electricity for each gram of harvest. Compared to other lights, they cut down power costs by 50%. They help to maintain a healthier environment for plants because they do not heat up. This means you do not need to worry about additional costs like installation of air sources for a stable atmosphere. Grow lights come without the need to install wires, and additional components, thus allowing you to save on overhead costs as well.
Growing your cannabis can be a wonderful experience, even during winter. If you wish to grow some in your indoor garden, then be sure to choose your lights carefully.