Infrared light

[Token LaRoche]

A question that's been on my mind a bit lately. Maybe someone has the answer.

I've been using a webcam in my grow tent to keep an eye on things. When the lights turn off, this thing switches to IR mode and can "see in the dark." Will the IR emitted from the camera have any effect on the plant growth?

[Shovelhandle]

it doesn't work that way. All objects emit radiation and the camera measures it. you may be confused with infrared security beams that do have an emitter and a receiver.

[Mal420xl]

some trail cams have ir motion sensors. not sure what the intensity is though. there are tons of vids on you tube with ir nite vision cams and trail cams and never heard of it being a problem yet.

[Weezard]

I believe the gentleman is inquiring about the infra red led, kine of webcam.

They have a bank of leds to illuminate a small area at night.
I have several of the pro model, infra red equipped cams, but they are pointed away from the garden covering all approaches to it.

As for what it does to cannabis?

Well, let's think about that;
290714

We know that Deep red, 660nm. photons convert the Pr form of phytochrome to the Pfr form.
We know that Far red, 720nm. photons convert the Pfr form back to the Pr form.


What does this mean?

Well, for germination;
" In the dark, the ratio of Pfr to Pr determines whether each seed will germinate. If exposed to red light, the phytochrome is all converted into Pfr and the seeds germinate. When the seeds are exposed to far-red light, the phytochrome is all converted into Pr and the seeds fail to germinate. Obviously the active form of phytochrome is Pfr."

This also affects the production of florigen and to some degree, auxins.
We get natural Far red at dawn and dusk.

The ratio of Pr:Pfr is the mechanism of photoperiodicity
In the absence of Deep red, Pfr will slowly convert to Pr, so when the dark time exceeds the lit time the Pr to Pfr ratio climbs and the plant is forced to flower.

The Cameras are a slightly longer wavelength than the Far red band. I think they run about.

Well, hell, I'll look it up;
"As a rule IR illuminators have a medium wavelength from 720 to 940 nm. At the same radiation power (do not mix up with consumption power) and radiation angle, illuminators with a shorter wavelength are more efficient, as far as camera sensitivity falls with the growth of wavelength. For hidden illumination it is necessary to use illuminators with wavelength of 940 nm. Illuminators with wavelength of 850-880 nm. can ensure only â??half-hiddenâ?� illumination â?? when looking at the illuminator itself one can see faint red glow. It is inadmissible at motorways, railways etc. IR illuminators with wavelength of 720-780 nm. are used quite seldom because light-emitting diode chips are usually less efficient at such wavelength."

Mine run at 850.

So, depending on the strength of your emitters, their wavelength, and the distance from your plants, that web cam just might hasten flowering a tad.
Whether it will have any effect on growth or stretch?
Ah dunno!
If I had to guess, I'd guess that it could be a positive effect.

Please make a mental note to come back here and document any change in the plants closest to your webcam.
The we will all learn something.

Aloha,
Weezard

[Shovelhandle]

I didn't think about that kind of camera... thanks for the info.

[Token LaRoche]

Great answer, Weezard, Thanks! (I'll have to read it three or four more times to fully digest it).

Yeah, this camera has some IR LEDs on it, so it generates it's own IR when the lights go out. Pictures have that spooky black and white look, but it sees perfectly in the dark.

Very good to know and it's good to get the theory. So far, I'm not seeing any problem. Was just a little concerned for the flowering stage cuz a lot of what I read says the darker the better, and this thing puts out enough IR to see pretty well!

[tlranger]

My rule of thumb, sit in dark budding room for 15 minutes, figure way to shut down any light I see. Darker the better!

[polishpollack]

Weez, you scientist!
Honestly and personally... I doubt if it matters. But then I'm not as smart as the Weezard!