Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Light Sources
There are benefits to growing cannabis indoors considering that you have full control over
the light source. Outdoor growers rely heavily on the natural sunlight making it rather un-
predictable. As an indoor grower, you control the environment where your plants will grow.
Cannabis and many other plant species have a light-mediated development also known as
photo morphogenesis. The blue spectrum stimulates vegetative growth and the yellow, am-
ber and red spectrum stimulate reproductive growth. To mature a cannabis plant you will
need to provide the plant wavelengths from approximately 420 to 730 nanometers (nm).
There are generally four different light source options to consider: florescent, incandescent,
HID and LED lamps. Below I list the benefits and limiting factors of the different light bulbs
giving you the option to choose the best for your situation.
Florescent Light Bulbs
The benefits of using a florescent light bulb are the energy efficiency and low heat output.
These lamps are great when either in the flowering or the vegetative stage; however, these
lamps do not cover the whole light spectrum. For the sake of convenience choosing a light
bulb which can be used for the entirety of the growth is recommended.
LED Light Bulbs
The all new LED lamp technology have formed a craze for efficient cannabis growing. The
benefits of using LED lights are the efficient electricity usage, the low heat output and the
ability to plug the bulb directly into the power outlet. White LEDs cover the whole light
spectrum and are the recommended type of LED lights. Look for an LED lamp specifically
produced for growing as these LED's will cover the entire light spectrum.
Incandescent Light Bulbs
Incandescent light bulbs give out far too much heat to consider when growing cannabis in-
doors. Not only is the excessive heat output a limiting factor, incandescent lights do not
provide the plants with the whole light spectrum.
HID Light Bulbs
High Pressure Sodium (HPS) light bulbs are probably the most commonly used light bulb.
Cheap and with a lifespan twice as long as metal halide lamps, HPS light bulbs should be
considered. The limiting factor of the HPS light bulbs is the high heat output. Combat the
