Light: Difference between revisions

In ideal conditions, cannabis can absorb 1500 - 2000 μmol/s. For context, in California, the sun can emit up to 2000 μmol/s around midday. This means that the light source should ideally be powerful enough to deliver this intensity over the area the canopy will occupy. Equipped with a powerful and efficient grow light, you may be tempted to use as much power as you can afford, to increase yield - but this is often not the best strategy; leaves can be damaged by overexposure to light (and heat) which will decrease yield. To avoid this, slowly increase the intensity of your light over several days, by increasing power draw by 5-10 watts per day, observing the leaves regularly. Any yellowing leaves can be a sign of light stress. This may be accompanied by curling leaves which are a sign of heat stress, often caused by lights being too intense. Note also that seedlings require less light than flowering plants.

 

== Horticultural light metrics ==

=== PPFD ===

Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density: its unit is μmol/m^2/s. It is a measure of [[Light#PAR|PAR]] intensity (light that can be used for photosynthesis) over an area per second. This is important to note when buying a grow light. For example, light A may provide an intensity of 800 μmol/s in a 1m^2 area, while light B provides the same intensity in a 4m^2 area. Light B provides the same intensity but over four times the area, so it can support a larger plant. In this case, light B has a greater PPFD.

=== μmol/J ===

The light intensity a horticultural light produces per Joule of power it uses. This is a measure of its efficiency. At the time of writing, the most efficient LED package available is the [https://www.samsung.com/led/lighting/mid-power-leds/3030-leds/lm301h/ LM301H] by Samsung. It achieves 3.10 μmol/J @ 65 mA, 25°C. Note the efficiency will change depending on the temperature and current supplied.

=== DLI (Daily light Intergral) ===

DLI is useful as a metric as it takes light schedule into account

 

==== LED Drivers ====

LED drivers can be categorized into constant voltage and constant current, both with dimmable options. If your panel has a recommended voltage, it's best to select a constant voltage driver. Dimmable drivers are more expensive but worth it because your plant requires more light at the flowering stage than at the seedling stage, so you may wish to use less power initially to conserve power. Meanwell drivers are the industry standard for efficiency and lifespan.

 

== Light schedules ==

<ref>https://www.licor.com/documents/c8jrv1uxa6yasnrgy2esxksh0rkfhdik</ref>

<ref>https://www.mmjdaily.com/article/9112322/setting-light-levels-for-cannabis-growth/</ref>