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02-26-2010, 03:24 PM #5OPSenior Member
LEDs and Generations
I read what the Weezard wrote and I then had more questions about the difference in growing techniques. Dang it one question LEDs to another.
Here is what i found on the Internet which reiterates what was said in more detail:
How does the Lumen output of the LEDs lights compare to other grow lights?
Lumens and Lux are measurements of how bright a light source appears to the human eye. Since the human eye is most sensitive to colors plants don't need, and least sensitive to colors plants prefer, Lumens can't be used to accurately compare the plant growing capability of led grow lights.
If a grow light manufacturer rates his grow light output in Lumens they are only telling you how bright it will appear to you and light your room, not how well it will grow your plants. The most accurate unit of measurement for comparing plant lighting is the micro Einstein, which measures how many photons of light strike an area per second.
But, while this is a much better way to estimate a lamp's plant growing ability than Lumens or Lux, it is still very difficult to directly compare two different types of grow lights. All grow lights except the LEDs grow lights emit large amounts of light plants don't use very efficiently, so including that light output in a light's plant growing measurement is misleading.
What type of soil should I use for my plants?
It is always best to use a more porous planting medium when gardening with led grow lights. A loose soil that doesn't compact will allow more oxygen to reach the roots, increasing plant metabolism and growth. A porous medium will also help avoid problems associated with over watering.
How warm should I keep my plant growing area?
The energy efficient line of led grow lights will not heat up your growing area like traditional grow lighting products. In cooler weather you may need to compensate for this by raising the temperature of your growing area to between 70 degrees F to 80 degrees F
if you wish to accelerate the rate of plant growth. If you can, monitor the temperature of your plant's root zone as this can also affect the rate of plant growth.
Should I water my plants differently when using the LEDs?
Absolutely! Plants grown under the LEDs plant lighting systems use much less water than those grown under conventional (i.e. HOT!) grow lights, and so need to be watered less frequently. Be very careful not to over water your plants, and check to see that the soil is drying out before watering them again. The time between watering will vary with plant species. Over watering will slow root development, stunt plant growth, and cause nutrient uptake issues.
How often and how much should I fertilize?
Your plants will need fewer nutrients when grown under led grow lights. Start with a lower amount of nutrient, approximately 400-600 PPM, or around 1/2 of the amount recommended by the manufacturer.
Are there any special considerations for commercial growers?
You will want to monitor your C02 levels. LED grow lights emit a large amount of absorbed light, which may require slight augmentation of CO2 levels (+300-500 PPM).
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