To optimize cannabis yield, there are several factors to consider. The quality of genetics and soil conditions play a crucial role in achieving high yields. Most commercial cannabis is cultivated in greenhouses or growth chambers using only electric lighting. Horticultural lighting firms are now promoting systems designed to enhance cannabis production, with the goal of capturing a share of the growing cannabis industry.
If you grow your own weed in house use the LED lights is perfect because it is possible has amazing yields just like the commercial growers. For this reason Blimburn Seeds make this guide for making a great growing in house with led lights.
Benefits of LED Lights in Cannabis Growing
The advancement of LED technology has led to a shift towards its use in indoor cannabis growing. LED lights are a viable option for cultivators of all levels due to their energy efficiency, durability, and extended lifespan. Using LED lighting can aid in producing successful cannabis crops.
Improving Sustainability and Community
Indoor plant growing requires a significant amount of energy. As the cannabis industry continues to grow, local energy providers and communities are facing increased demand. LED grow lights offer more precise lighting while consuming 50-70% less energy compared to traditional methods. LED lights also minimize the emission of harmful gases while maintaining high levels of brightness.
Reduced Heat. LED lights operate at a lower temperature compared to HPS bulbs, making ventilation more efficient and cost-effective while reducing environmental impact Minimized Chemicals. LED grow lights create a highly controlled environment for plants, significantly reducing the need for pesticides and chemical treatments.
The goal of Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) is to provide growers with the ability to control the environmental factors affecting their crops, thereby extending the growing season and improving crop production and quality. LED lights are becoming more widely used in CEA.
They are known for their energy efficiency, fast and modern harvest cycle, and long lifespan. LED lights generate light without burning anything, resulting in significant energy savings. They are also gentler on plants compared to traditional lighting, and can be fully recycled, making them an eco-friendly choice.
Light Intensity in LED Grow Lights
To fully utilize the benefits of LED grow lights, a deeper understanding of how spectrums impact photosynthesis and the physiological processes affecting light capture and photosynthetic quality is necessary. A recent study showed that sub-canopy lighting using LED lights improved cannabis flower efficiency, consistency, and yield (Hawley, D., Graham, T., and Stasiak, M. Dixon). There is a correlation between yield and photosynthetic rate (Zelitch, I. (1975).
For growers already using or considering LED grow lights, here are 5 tips to maximize their effectiveness.
1. Improve Cannabis Crop Quality and Predictability
LED lighting allows for better temperature control in greenhouses or growth chambers, as it emits minimal heat. This leads to a consistent and stable atmosphere throughout the year, enabling consistent compound composition and production quantity, simplifying logistics and streamlining production. Plant characteristics can be manipulated using a tailored light recipe for cannabis growth.
2. Monitor Water Usage
Growers often make the mistake of overwatering when transitioning from HID to LED lighting. HID lights generate heat and emit significant amounts of infrared light (IR), causing the soil and plants to dry out. LED grow lights, on the other hand, don’t produce as much heat as traditional lights, making them less effective in this regard.
3. Proper Mounting Essential
Proper installation is crucial for maximizing yield and efficiency with LED lights. The placement of LEDs should consider various factors, such as available natural light, to ensure broad and consistent light distribution. Mounting the LEDs too high can increase coverage but decrease light intensity, while mounting them too low can stress plants due to close proximity. Begin with the manufacturer’s mounting recommendations, determine DLI (Daily Light Integral), and adjust as needed.
4. Enhance Yield with Multiple LED Units
Maximizing light coverage in your indoor grow setup is crucial for optimized growth and yield. LED grow lights can offer a focused light output using optics, letting you shine light on specific areas of your plants. Using multiple LED units in your grow room can improve light distribution throughout the canopy. This not only saves you money but also ensures your plants receive optimal lighting. To ensure proper installation, it is recommended to consult a qualified lighting company for a light plane analysis.
5. Establish Light Schedules
The growth of your plants is influenced by the light cycles they receive. As indoor growers, you have the ability to regulate the amount of light and darkness that plants receive by adjusting the hours of illumination.
During summer months, automated blackout curtains prevent unwanted sunlight and maintain required periods of darkness, while supplementary lighting fills any light gaps during dark winter months to ensure that your plants receive the necessary light. Commonly, for vegetative growth, a light cycle of 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness is recommended.
When the plant receives longer periods of uninterrupted darkness, it signals the approach of fall and a 12/12 light cycle is sufficient to trigger flowering in most flowering crops. A light cycle of 17-18 hours per day is usually recommended for vegetative crops.
6. Establish Your Light Regimens
Light cycles play a crucial role in determining the growth and development of your crops. Indoor growers have the ability to alter the balance of light and darkness to adjust the photoperiod of the plants. Automated curtains can be utilized during summer to prevent unwanted sunlight and maintain the necessary darkness, while additional lighting helps compensate for reduced light during the darker winter months. This ensures the plants receive the appropriate amount of light.
For flowering crops, a standard light cycle of 18 hours of light and 6 hours of darkness is commonly used. This increase in darkness signals the onset of autumn, leading to flowering. A 17-18 hour daily light cycle is usually suggested for vegetative crops.
What do specialists say about the use of led lights in cannabis Growing?
The tests I conducted over several months showed important outcomes. Firstly, it was found that using LED lighting in marijuana greenhouse can lead to increased yields and quicker growth cycles for the plants. Secondly, growing cannabis in a greenhouse optimized for LED lights also significantly shortens the overall growth stages.
The trials indicated that using LED lighting can shorten the vegetative phase by 5 days to a total of 9 days as this phase experiences intense and vigorous growth. Furthermore, the flowering phase was found to be 13 days shorter with LED lighting compared to HPS lighting. This results in a total crop cycle of just 72 days with LED lights versus 85 days with HPS, allowing you to yield an average of one additional crop per year. Additionally, crops grown under LED lighting produced a 40% higher yield as compared to those grown under HPS lights.
Growing with LED lights requires a unique approach compared to HPS lighting
The climate of the greenhouse must be specifically adjusted for LED lights to achieve optimal results. Unlike HPS, LED lights produce more PAR light per unit of energy, making it possible to reach higher light intensity levels. Additionally, LED lights generate less radiant heat, which allows for a higher temperature set-point in the greenhouse. In conclusion, growing marijuana with LED lights requires a distinct method of climate control and is truly a different way of growing.
Three of the best cannabis strain for growing under led lights
We know that some genetics are better adapted to growing under LED lighting, so after talking with different expert gardeners and asking them for some genetic recommendations, we came to the conclusion that the following 3 weed varieties are recommended for growing under LED lighting.
We reached this conclusion regarding these genetics because they are easy to grow, they adapt well to the light and energy provided by LED lights, and we also know that they produce large yields and can be grown by experts and novices.
Great White Shark
Great White Shark is known for its quick growth and abundant flowering, making it a suitable strain for growing under LED lights. Its genetic background, derived from the cross of Super Skunk, South American, and South India strains, allows it to adapt to different lighting conditions and thrive in an LED setup.
In addition, Great White Shark is ready to be harvested after 65 days of flowering and you will get up to 2.62 oz/ft2 in indoor crop and for outdoor crops you can get up to 21 oz/plant. We emphasize that the power of this genetics is high since it reaches THC levels of 21%-24% and the buds also. They have berry flavors, with hints of tropical fruit, and a good dose of sweetness.
Great White Shark is a popular strain for medical cannabis users due to its high THC content and potent effects. This strain is known for its pain-relieving and relaxing properties, making it an excellent choice for treating conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. In terms of indoor growing, Great White Shark is a fast-growing strain, making it an ideal choice for growers looking to maximize their yield. Some techniques that can be applied to Great White Shark to maximize the harvest include topping, fimming, and using high-quality LED lights.
These techniques can help to increase the number of flowering sites and promote bushier growth, leading to higher yields. Additionally, proper nutrients, ventilation, and temperature control are key to a successful grow. Using high-quality soil and implementing a strict feeding schedule can also help to ensure that the plants receive the necessary nutrients for optimal growth and flowering.
Fire Alien Strawberry x Mac Rillaz F1
Fire Alien Strawberry x Mac Rillaz F1 is a highly sought after hybrid strain in the world of cannabis growing. This strain is a combination of two highly acclaimed strains, Fire Alien Strawberry and Mac Rillaz, and it has a balanced ratio of sativa and indica genetics. The Fire Alien Strawberry brings sweet and fruity flavors, while Mac Rillaz adds fuel and diesel notes to the mix, making it a unique and enjoyable strain to smoke.
One of the reasons this strain is a good choice for growing under LED lights is its fast flowering time, which typically takes around 8 to 9 weeks. It also has a high yield, producing around 1.47-1.80 oz/ft2 for indoor crop and up to 28 oz/plant for outdoor crop. In terms of its potency, Fire Alien Strawberry x Mac Rillaz F1 has a THC range of 24% to 26%. The strain’s high THC content makes it a great option for experienced consumers looking for a strong, long-lasting high.
This strain’s aroma is dominated by sweet and fruity notes with hints of fuel and diesel. It has a complex mix of terpenes, with myrcene, caryophyllene, and limonene being the most prominent. These terpenes contribute to the strain’s relaxing and uplifting effects, making it a great choice for stress relief and mood enhancement.
Blunicorn #5 – Cannabis Yield
Blunicorn #5 is a unique strain of marijuana that is known for its high yield of buds in ounces and its unique flavor and aroma. The buds of this strain contain medium-high levels of THC (14%-18%) , which is known to produce a potent, euphoric high that is perfect for recreational use.
In addition, the Blunicorn #5 strain also has medicinal benefits, making it an ideal choice for people who are looking for natural ways to manage symptoms of various health conditions like, migraines, fatigue and anxiety.
The flowering time of the Blunicorn #5 plants are approximately 8-10 weeks, and its effects on users are known to be uplifting, relaxing, and euphoric. This makes it an ideal choice for those who are looking for a strain that will help them to unwind and feel good after a long day. When it comes to growing Blunicorn #5, this strain is best suited for either indoor or outdoor growing. In indoor growing you can have up to 1.63 oz/ft2 of buds and outdoor is possible a production of 21-24 oz/plant.
In short, cannabis needs standardization for consistent and effective cannabinoid and terpene profiles for use. To maximize yield, growing conditions and practices should be optimized and standardized, including light, temperature, CO2 levels, irrigation, humidity, nutrients, and growing medium.
Adequate light is crucial for plant growth. In areas where natural light is insufficient, additional sources are necessary. Conventional light sources like high-pressure sodium lamps and metal halides are inefficient and generate high heat. Therefore, more energy-efficient and sustainable solutions, such as LED lights, are being developed for greenhouse lighting. The impact of LED lights on cannabis yield and electricity usage should be compared to traditional lamps in cannabis growing. Optimal light conditions for cannabis need to be researched in controlled environments to determine the ideal light intensity and plant density combination for maximum yield.
