{"id":3675,"date":"2023-06-12T04:44:34","date_gmt":"2023-06-12T04:44:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ledstreak.com\/?p=3675"},"modified":"2023-06-12T04:44:37","modified_gmt":"2023-06-12T04:44:37","slug":"do-led-grow-lights-really-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ledstreak.com\/do-led-grow-lights-really-work\/","title":{"rendered":"Do LED Grow Lights Really Work: How to Get the Best Out of Your LED Grow Lights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Do LED grow lights really work? Today, the cost of LED grow lights has gone down significantly. So more and more energy-conscious users on a budget can now use these lights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the question is, do they work, or is it all just marketing gimmicks and unproven claims with a lot of fluff aimed at making the lights sound impressive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This article takes an in-depth look at LED grow lights to help you distinguish the truth from the hype.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The following are features of LED grow lights that make them ideal for growing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
(Caption: LED light color spectrum)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now apart from cutting down on power consumption, there\u2019s no significant impact that a wattage rating has on your plants. It\u2019s simply the amount of electricity your LED lights use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So you can opt for LED bulbs with a lower wattage rating to cut down on consumption. Otherwise, the most important aspect as far as what your plants need is color and light intensity.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Below are the features that really matter when it comes to choosing LED to grow lights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
See infrared<\/a> light is essential for photosynthesis as it induces the Emerson effect<\/a>. It has a wavelength of 720 to 740 nanometers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, it\u2019s within the far right red region of the light spectrum, which is great for blooming. That said, it works best when combined with other light wavelengths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Interestingly, research has shown that infrared helps plants bloom best in their initial stages of growth. And the reason that is is that the photochromic<\/a> receptors responsible for trapping light are sensitive to infrared lights.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another critical quality of infrared is its ability to help plants increase bud formation and flowering. Also, it helps boost the formation of antioxidants in plants, increasing plant aroma and flavor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n (Caption: Full spectrum LED grow lights)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Interestingly, plants need a specific light spectrum that\u2019s similar to that of sunlight to facilitate growth. And anything outside of this spectrum is useless, no matter how bright the light seems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For total growth, plants need the full spectrum of all three lights (blue, red, and green light. That\u2019s because each light aspect plays a crucial role in the plant\u2019s overall growth as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blue light helps build strong and healthy stems, roots, and leaves. But the light must fall within the required proportions to positively impact plant growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Otherwise, too much of it is harmful to plants. In fact, the blue light plants receive from the sun gets highly regulated.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now this light spectrum is the critical driver of photosynthesis. If you have the light spectrum chart, you\u2019ll see that the red light is on the section indicating a wavelength of 630 to 660 nanometers (nm). <\/p>\n\n\n\n Such a wavelength is vital for plants to form strong stems, increase leaf synthesis, and enhance the plant\u2019s sturdy features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, flowering, seed germination, and seed dormancy cannot occur in the absence of red light.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now this light has a wavelength of 600 to 600 nm. And it\u2019s essential for the development of the inside of the leaf. Thus, light is vital for the main stem to thrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s unique about green light is its ability to penetrate leafy plants, impacting proper development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The way you position light sources around plants largely depends on the light\u2019s color, as it affects light intensity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, you may place some closer to the plants, depending on factors like plant type, plant growth phase, and wattage.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, some lights are easier to position around plants than others. Some are heavy and harder to move around and mount in an indoor setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With such lights, the limited mounting options may affect your plant\u2019s light coverage. In turn, this could affect the uniformity and health of plant growth. Therefore, choose LED lights that are easy to position.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\nFull Spectrum\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Blue Light <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Red Light<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Green Light <\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Positioning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n