In indoor cannabis cultivation, selecting the appropriate lighting is crucial. It is the first step toward ensuring a successful cannabis harvest. Proper lighting creates the optimal growing conditions for cannabis. Good lighting differentiates between wilted, low-yield plants and robust, healthy ones. Therefore, selecting the right lighting system is essential. Here, we will explain everything you need to know about lighting for indoor cannabis cultivation.
In nature, cannabis plants require sunlight and seasonal changes to begin blooming, with a preference for longer daylight hours. Indoor growth lighting aims to replicate the natural growth conditions of cannabis. To achieve this, sunlight is substituted with suitable lamps that provide the necessary energy and regulate the plant's growth cycle.
The daily light and dark periods must be adjusted according to the plant's growth stage. During the vegetative stage, cannabis plants need 18 hours of light and 8 hours of complete darkness. During the flowering stage, the light period is reduced to 12 hours.
Additionally, the color of the light is critical in indoor cultivation because it must mimic the correct spectrum to achieve a good yield. During the vegetative stage, cannabis requires blue light (450-500nm), and during the flowering stage, it is recommended to use red light (610-750nm).
However, light affects more than just intensity and color. Different types of lighting emit varying temperatures. The most commonly used power ratings are 400W and 600W. But caution is advised, as more is not always better; in confined spaces or hot climates, different considerations apply.
Regarding the types of lighting that can be used for indoor cultivation, sodium lamps, LEC kits, and LED lighting are the most notable options.
Before introducing these lights, when we choose the type of lighting, we need to consider the following factors before deciding which type of lighting is suitable for our interior:
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Power: To achieve the best yield from indoor crops, it's essential to consider the luminous power required for lighting. This decision directly impacts whether your cannabis harvest will outweigh your expenses. Higher power usage means increased electricity consumption, leading to higher utility bills. The most commonly used power levels are 400W and 600W bulbs, along with their associated ballasts.
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Heat: Higher wattage results in greater output but also generates more heat. If your growing area is small or you live in a warm climate, this could pose a problem. Some lighting devices emit significantly less heat but tend to be more expensive and less efficient.
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Space: The available growing space is another crucial factor. Limited space heats up more quickly, so it's advisable to avoid bulbs that emit excessive heat. In smaller areas, low-power lighting can suffice to meet your needs.
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Spectrum: Depending on the growth stage of the cannabis plant, different light spectrums are required. For instance, during the vegetative phase, cannabis plants need blue light, while during the flowering phase, red light is more beneficial. Red tones better mimic the sunlight available in the autumn months, which is when cannabis naturally blooms outdoors.
High pressure sodium (HPS) lamp
This kind of lighting is usually used mostly indoors. It can be used in the vegetation stage and flowering stage.
Although it is an ancient technology, it has proven to be one of the most effective technologies in development over the years. If it grows well, under the right conditions, the plants will grow vigorously and can achieve very good yields.
However, there are some aspects to consider: the cost of light and heat dissipation.
Light consumption cost:
Compared with LEDs, sodium or halide bulbs consume a lot of wattages, so you shouldnβt be surprised if your electricity bill goes up.
The most widely used bulbs are 250W, 400W, 600W, and up to 1,000W.
Heat dissipation:
To avoid overheating the space, fans and air extractors, cooling pipes and other components can be used. Please also remember to leave the ballast outside the growth chamber as it will emit a lot of heat.
This kind of light emits a lot of heat, which is good when it is cold, but it becomes complicated in summer or in a narrow space.
For small spaces (such as 40x40), this kind of bulb is not recommended because it is difficult to dissipate heat.
Implementing sodium systems is cheaper than LEDs. In addition to the bulb, you must also buy a ballast. We recommend that it is dimmable and has a reflector.
LED lighting
The characteristic of LED is that it does not lose energy when emitting light, so it is more efficient. On their own, they cannot provide enough energy, so panels with several groups are used.
One of the benefits of this lighting time is that the spectrum can be adjusted according to the stage of the plant (for example, blue light for growth and red light for flowering).
The advantage of LED is that it will not increase your electricity bill. However, you must keep two things in mind.
The initial investment will be greater than sodium, and the consumption will below:
The production will amortize the investment in several crops by saving electricity. Remember, the panel will last for several years, 50,000 hours.
They do not heat up:
This is ideal for growing indoors in summer or temperate climates, but in winter and very cold places, you will need another medium to increase the temperature in the growing room.
Sodium LED combination
If you have enough space and want to increase the temperature, you can combine LEDs and sodium. In this way, you can reduce your electricity bills, and the plants will be at the right temperature, and by combining the two systems, you will get the ideal productivity.
I hope this article will allow you to choose the lamps that suit you and wish you a rich harvest.
Note: The above is reprinted from VANQ