As with all things, there are some pitfalls to using LED lights if you’re inexperienced with them. Avoid common mistakes with these simple tips.
1. Get the right LED lights
Although most commerical led grow light strips now are full-spectrum, some are still made only for vegetation. Ensure you’ve got a full spectrum LED light fixture if you’re using the same lights throughout your grow. You’ll also need the right amount of lumens (not wattage!) for your grow space.
Additionally, don’t cheap out. It can be tempting when you see a full spectrum set for half the price of a well-known brand. But low-quality LEDs can emit too little light, break more easily, and may not have been checked as thoroughly for electrical safety requirements.
2. Set your light at the proper distance
This can be too far away or too close! Your plants will over-stretch, trying to reach the former, or bleach and burn due to the latter. There is no standard perfect distance we can give you, as it will vary depending on the growth cycle and your specific grow light fixture, so read your manual!there’s no information there, then a general rule of thumb is to keep your led grow lights samsung between 30cm to 45cm away from your canopy during vegetation. You can move this a little closer during flowering, but keep an eye out for any curled, dry, or brown leaves.
3. Too much water
As we mentioned above, one of the big benefits of LEDs is that your plant will require less water. But if you haven’t taken this into account, you may actually end up overwatering your plant. It’s a common mistake for beginners, so adjust your schedule accordingly.
Marijuana LED Grow Guide
Most LED lights are full spectrum. This means they’ll work for all stages of your plant’s growth cycle - from seed to harvest. But there are some things to keep in mind when using weed grow lights in different growth stages.
For Seedlings:
Seedlings are really sensitive to intense light, so you need to be careful if you’re using strong LEDs. Dim them if possible, or move them further away from the seedling if this isn’t an option. Though not too far or you’ll end up with a lanky, skinny plant.
If you’re lucky, your grow lights for indoor plants will have a switch for vegetative and flowering stages. Set this to vegetation as it will emit a cooler blue light more suited to seedlings. This should be on an 18-6 light cycle generally. You can increase light intensity as your seedling establishes itself.
During Vegetation:
You’ll generally have your plant on either an 18-6 light schedule or a 20-24 light cycle. Either way, monitor your plant closely. If it’s looking skinny and tall, your light may be too far away or too dim.
For Flowering:
If your LED has a flowering switch, now’s the time to use it!
If not, you’ll be changing to a 12-12 light schedule for flowering. You’ll also want to crack the dimmer back up if you’ve previously turned it down for vegetation or lower your fixture down.
Again, monitor your plants closely to ensure they’re getting enough light and making sure they’re not getting too much. Browning, curling, or dryness can all be signs of burning.