May 25, 2022
When it comes to plants, all light is not equal. Unless you have a greenhouse or an unlimited number of south-facing windows, grow lights are your best option for providing the right light to your plants. Though nothing is better than natural sunlight, grow lights are designed to provide Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR) so the plant can undergo photosynthesis like outside in nature.
An LED grow light has a vast color spectrum which is why many enjoy using them with their plants. Most are used based on their warm white, soft white, or bright white colors. These colors are exactly what their names imply, they either emit a warm, soft, or bright color in the space you burn it in.
However, while these lights might look like they only burn white colors, they have an intense spectrum inside unknown to the human eye. In fact, in most LED grow lights, you’ll find they also include red, blue, and green.
Red
Red light is known for its long wavelengths which help your plants to produce more blooms and leaves. It’s often recommended that you use red light toward the end of the growing cycle as it will prevent the plants from growing too quickly. While red is a popular spectrum, there is also a far-red spectrum which is even more powerful. When red light is combined with blue, it often makes a strong match. Because of this, they are usually combined together in an LED grow light.
Blue
Blue light is one of the most important LED light spectrums as it helps your plants stay energetic by producing enough chlorophyll. It also prevents water loss. Because of this, your plants usually need to have a lot of blue light in order to grow strong and healthy.
Green
Greenlight helps your plants to produce chlorophyll and photosynthesis. It’s also one of the only light spectrums the human eye can see.
ECO Farm Z6–600 Samsung LM301B LED Grow Light
Features:
This ECO Farm LED grow light uses 1632pcs high efficient SMD leds, boast the market-leading efficiency to 2.7 µmol/J and 2.5g yield per wattage with 30% higher Average PPFD, the actual power is 600 watt, it can cover 4x4ft growing area in Veg stage and 5x5ft for flower stage. The intensity of light can be adjusted according to the needs of plants. The leds are all new technology SMD leds, It contains Samsung LM301B Full Spectrum White Light Diodes, 660nm Red Diodes, IR+UV Diodes on independent controls. And it also has removable and replaceable light bars. This low energy consumption grow light with 6 passive-cooled bars, aluminium heat-sink, excellent performance in heat dispersing & lifespan, dropping 50% in electricity bill than HID lights. This grow light maximizes every inch of your Garden with The Best Distribution of Light on the Market with Over 1000 PPFD corners to Corner. Attention: In Veg, place lamp 30in.+ above plants and run power at 50%, Increase power to 70% slowly as plants grow sturdier.
SpecGrade LED Verta-6 Eco 640W LED Grow Light
Features:
The modular design of the SpecGrade LED Grow Light allows you to repair any faulty components in the field without experiencing any downtime. A proprietary thermal management system radiates less heat to the plants while providing unprecedented light levels and uniformity. This LED grow light is designed for maximum PPFD while using less power than traditional light sources. The fine-tuned A1 “Full Lifecycle Spectrum” has been proven in universities and a variety of growing environments to improve tricolor and taste while reducing operating costs and shortening grow cycles. SpecGrade’s Grow-Connect is an easy-to-install daisy-chain cabling solution for wet locations in growing facilities. Multiple grow lights can be connected together in a plug-and-play sequence starting from the power source. This solution will greatly reduce installation costs and even allow you to quickly reconfigure your system without having to call an electrician.
While just about every plant loves light, they don’t all have the same taste. Here are some things to consider when buying an LED grow light.
Power consumption
Even though LEDs are much more efficient than their older counterparts, they still require a constant stream of energy to run. And leaving them on all the time — especially if you’re running a lot of them — can really start to ramp up the ecological impact and your electric bill.
Older bulbs used to measure power in watts, but LEDs don’t quite work like that. Input power on an LED suggests how much power it’ll use, but not necessarily how bright it will be. High-efficiency LEDs can put out a lot of light with a few lamps, while other arrays use a higher number of smaller lamps.
Your needs are specific to your plants, but don’t go buying an LED light array just because it has a high wattage rating. Look for an equivalent wattage number or other methods of measurement.
Spectrum coverage
Full-spectrum lights can mean different things depending on the model. True full-spectrum lights include infrared modules that emit waves you can’t technically see. Different light wavelengths often serve different parts of the growing process, so you’ll want to match up the spectrum performance with the plants you’re trying to grow. If your plants aren’t picky, most “full spectrum” lights should do a fine job. But, it’s worth doing a little research about your specific plants to make sure the light you’re buying offers what they need.
Dimmability
Not all grow lights are dimmable. Some have either an on or off setting and not much else. Other LED grow lights can offer ten or even more different levels of illumination so you’re not always blasting them on full power.
Self-timers
Plants don’t need light 24 hours per day, so you’ll want to turn lights on and off as needed. Some lights have built-in timers that allow you to program in a custom schedule. That absolves you from having to remember to hit the switch, which can have a profound effect on plants, especially if you’re trying to start outdoor plants inside.
LED lights are a great addition to add to your growing space for a variety of reasons. Not only are they energy-efficient, but they work quickly at helping your plants to grow. If you’re on the search for a LED light to use in your growing space, definitely keep the models mentioned above in mind. They’re not only durable, but come with a handful of great benefits as well.
October 20, 2023