Lumens or Kelvin? What is most important?

Hey everyone, this is my first post and first grow, so I'll try to be as informative as possible.

I've previously grown quite a few types of plant; fruit, vegetables flowers etc. outdoors so I have a basic understanding of growing, but this is my first Marijuana grow, and my first indoor grow of anything.
After searching the internet, Google, YouTube and some forums, I'm still not totally sure what is most important, Lumens or Kelvin? Or is it equally both?

Due to my current status and financial capability (I'm poor) I have opted to start my seeds under LEDs,
I have 3 white widow x big bud which I germinated and have now planted into pots.
The lights are 6500k but only 60lumen according to the specs, will this be enough for seedling stage?

Any info will surely help,

SonsOfAvery said:

Hey everyone, this is my first post and first grow, so I'll try to be as informative as possible.

I've previously grown quite a few types of plant; fruit, vegetables flowers etc. outdoors so I have a basic understanding of growing, but this is my first Marijuana grow, and my first indoor grow of anything.
After searching the internet, Google, YouTube and some forums, I'm still not totally sure what is most important, Lumens or Kelvin? Or is it equally both?

Due to my current status and financial capability (I'm poor) I have opted to start my seeds under LEDs,
I have 3 white widow x big bud which I germinated and have now planted into pots.
The lights are 6500k but only 60lumen according to the specs, will this be enough for seedling stage?

Any info will surely help,

Click to expand...

not high enough in the lumens.. your kelvin is in the right range for vegging your plant. but you need intenser lumens for fast veg growth.imo

SonsOfAvery said:

Hey everyone, this is my first post and first grow, so I'll try to be as informative as possible.

I've previously grown quite a few types of plant; fruit, vegetables flowers etc. outdoors so I have a basic understanding of growing, but this is my first Marijuana grow, and my first indoor grow of anything.
After searching the internet, Google, YouTube and some forums, I'm still not totally sure what is most important, Lumens or Kelvin? Or is it equally both?

Due to my current status and financial capability (I'm poor) I have opted to start my seeds under LEDs,
I have 3 white widow x big bud which I germinated and have now planted into pots.
The lights are 6500k but only 60lumen according to the specs, will this be enough for seedling stage?

Any info will surely help,

Click to expand...

Not gonna be powerful enough by a long way, a hps 600w will kick out 95,000 lumens.

Plants do not see lumens but rather Par (Photosynthetically active radiation)

anyhow the light you mention isn't good enough.

neckpod said:

Not gonna be powerful enough by a long way, a hps 600w will kick out 95,000 lumens.

Plants do not see lumens but rather Par (Photosynthetically active radiation)

anyhow the light you mention isn't good enough.

Click to expand...

Thanks for the quick replies on this,

I am intending on changing the lights for veg and flower, I have a 600w HPS but didn't see the point in running that kind of light on 3 seeds. I just wanted to know if this was a viable option for starting the seedlings.

SonsOfAvery said:

Thanks for the quick replies on this,

I am intending on changing the lights for veg and flower, I have a 600w HPS but didn't see the point in running that kind of light on 3 seeds. I just wanted to know if this was a viable option for starting the seedlings.

Click to expand...

Not too sure if it would be enough as it is a really low output, i would just try it and see how things go with it as you already have a backup with your 600w, i Know what you mean always seem a waste putting a 600w over something so small.

my seedlings are under a 600w mh turned down to 400w which they seem really happy under!

A couple of 20w 5000-5600k bulbs will make do for a small plant. Can add in another two in the ranges closer 2700-3500k for flower later on.

Lumens is basically just for people. Get about 60w of light above your plant if you can.

Rule of thumb is 50w per square foot you wish to cover.

I think it helps to think of lumens as the visible light we can see.
A light may have high lumens but those wavelengths may be outside of the optimal ranges for photosynthesis.

I also use 23W spiral CFLs for vegging and seedlings, they are awesome for keeping close node space.

I cant imagine what your light must be but I hope you didn't spend too much on it.
I have in my hand at this very moment, a domestic LED light globe which has "Cool White 800 lumens" printed on the side. It uses only 10 watts.
I've chopped the frosted, translucent cover off of it and used 2 just like it very successfully to raise seedlings and clones in a little clone tent.
I didn't need the tent really and could have easily raised 4 or 5 seedlings under this simple globe. You can use it very close to the plants, since it gives off very little radiant heat.
Good luck with your grow

Apparently a 6w cfl would kick out 220 lumens and a 4w LED would do the same. I would check your light specs again because to be so low on lumens it would have to be like less than 1w. Or outside the lumen measurements which it shouldn't be at 6500k

If your info is correct just pick up some household energy saver bulbs (cfl) and pop em in any old lamp they fit in to get over your seedlings. Add a few more when they grow a bit then use your 600w when they are big enough.

Thanks again to everyone for the Info, its all being taken on board

I did a bit of research on the lights I have, they are arranged in 6 clusters of 4 LEDs.
The packaging states 60lumen, however that turns out to be per led. So what I apparently have is 1440. Still too low from what you's guys are saying, but I checked them this morning and the seeds are starting to like through with one of them already about to shed it's casing and show first little leaves.

I'm still going to be grabbing a couple CFLs at the weekend to boost what I already have.

Thanks everyone