Swims_GD
Well-Known Member
Couldn't find a thread on lighting requirements. (feel free to repost if you know some so I can update my knowledge also) So thought I would answer the lighting basics as I've seen quite a few posts and reply's as to lighting, hours and what they do.
We all know plants can receive a maximum of 24hrs light in any one day. There are only 24hrs (except for swims time conception evolution theory). Time schedules and the equipment used are argued amongst growers and you will work out the best that works for you as you increase your rooms, strains, equipment etc.
I will relate to either High Pressure Sodium or Compact Fluorescent Lighting as these being the most common used in indoor grow rooms in relative to there lumens output per watt..
The most common cycle for vegetative growth is 18hours on, 6hours off. The Key factor that keeps your plants vegging is the hours of darkness. Which has to be 6hours or less.
Adding more than 6hours of darkness triggers the fruiting of your plant. The More Hours they receive the faster they will flower. This is True up until 12 hours of darkness which is deemed the optimal, minimal times to flower a cannabis plant.
These Hours cant be altered other than what you play with in-between i.e 18-24hours lighting for veg and 12-18 for flower.
For Optimal Growth (understanding that strains vary greatly), Your Grow Space Requires For Optimal lumens:
Minimal:
20watts per square foot.
i.e 10ft x 10ft x 20w =
2000watts or 2 x 1kw hps bulbs or 50x 40watt cfls (to get the optimal output use of a cfl)
Optimal:
60watts per square foot
i.e 10ft x 10ft x 60w =
6000watts or 6 x 1kw hps bulbs or 50x 120watt cfls
The reason behind using more cfls as apposed to a few high powered ones is cfl lighting lose's its lumens output within a foot distance by 50% some have even said higher as they get older. the idea is to spread optimal lumens (or watts) coverage over your foliage area. Anything outside the areas, given of course with the breeding of different strains, its best to understand that your plants don't like less than 20w per sq.ft or more than 60per sq.ft.
I will edit with a bit more detail but I need coffee
We all know plants can receive a maximum of 24hrs light in any one day. There are only 24hrs (except for swims time conception evolution theory). Time schedules and the equipment used are argued amongst growers and you will work out the best that works for you as you increase your rooms, strains, equipment etc.
I will relate to either High Pressure Sodium or Compact Fluorescent Lighting as these being the most common used in indoor grow rooms in relative to there lumens output per watt..
The most common cycle for vegetative growth is 18hours on, 6hours off. The Key factor that keeps your plants vegging is the hours of darkness. Which has to be 6hours or less.
Adding more than 6hours of darkness triggers the fruiting of your plant. The More Hours they receive the faster they will flower. This is True up until 12 hours of darkness which is deemed the optimal, minimal times to flower a cannabis plant.
These Hours cant be altered other than what you play with in-between i.e 18-24hours lighting for veg and 12-18 for flower.
For Optimal Growth (understanding that strains vary greatly), Your Grow Space Requires For Optimal lumens:
Minimal:
20watts per square foot.
i.e 10ft x 10ft x 20w =
2000watts or 2 x 1kw hps bulbs or 50x 40watt cfls (to get the optimal output use of a cfl)
Optimal:
60watts per square foot
i.e 10ft x 10ft x 60w =
6000watts or 6 x 1kw hps bulbs or 50x 120watt cfls
The reason behind using more cfls as apposed to a few high powered ones is cfl lighting lose's its lumens output within a foot distance by 50% some have even said higher as they get older. the idea is to spread optimal lumens (or watts) coverage over your foliage area. Anything outside the areas, given of course with the breeding of different strains, its best to understand that your plants don't like less than 20w per sq.ft or more than 60per sq.ft.
I will edit with a bit more detail but I need coffee