Yo, what’s good, fellow growers? It’s your boy Dan here, and today we’re gonna be talking about LED grow lights and the mistakes you should avoid when using them. Whether you’re a new grower or just new to LEDs, making mistakes is all part of the learning process. But why make mistakes when you can learn from others’? So, let’s dive right in!
First things first, we all know that light is one of the most crucial factors when it comes to growing cannabis. And compared to HID lights, LEDs are taking over grow rooms worldwide. Why? Well, they save electricity, emit less heat, and have become more affordable for home growers. But even with these benefits, mistakes can still happen.
Mistake #1: Not Setting Your LED Lights at the Proper Distance
Now listen up, this is probably the most common mistake that inexperienced growers make when starting out with LEDs. Don’t be like them! If you hang your LEDs too far away, your plants will over-stretch in an effort to reach closer to the light. And if you place your LEDs too close to your plants, they can get stressed out and burnt. So what’s the ideal distance between your grow lights and your plant canopy? Unfortunately, there is no standard answer to this because each LED varies slightly. So check your manual or the manufacturer’s website for recommended distance. And if all else fails, start testing your LEDs by keeping them somewhere between 30-45cm from the canopy.
Mistake #2: Overwatering Your Cannabis Plant
Hey man, just because LEDs emit less heat doesn’t mean you should be watering your plants more frequently. Overwatering can lead to a host of pests and diseases that’ll ruin your whole operation. So adjust your watering schedule accordingly when using LEDs.
Mistake #3: Choosing the Wrong Type of LED Light
Now listen closely: not all LED lights are created equal. Some are made only for vegging while others are made for flowering. Before you get an LED light, make sure it’s the right type for your needs.
Mistake #4: Choosing Low-quality LED Lights
We all want to save some cash wherever we can, but don’t be cheap when it comes to your grow lights. Cheap LED lights are often manufactured overseas and don’t prioritize quality. They may only be able to grow one plant (if you’re lucky), and some can be dangerous to operate if they’re made in a country with less strict electrical safety requirements.
Mistake #5: Not Providing Your Cannabis Plants With Enough Light
Don’t fall victim to misleading information about wattage when it comes to LED lights. Instead, measure in micromols/m² — Photon Flux Density (PFD) the quantity of photons that hit an area (m²) of our crop in one second. Make sure you have enough light for your growing space and the number of plants you want to grow.
Mistake #6: Providing an Improper Light Schedule
Autoflowering strains are easy to grow under a 18-24 hour daily light schedule from planting until harvest. Feminized photoperiod strains need 18-24 hours of light in the vegetative stage and 12 hours of light/darkness for flowering. Make sure you’re providing the right amount of light at the right times.
And that’s it for our list of mistakes to avoid when using LED grow lights! Remember, even with the most advanced LED system, you still need to provide your plants with water, nutrients, substrate and other necessities.
Thanks for reading and happy growing! Stay lit 🔥🌿