Do LED's need to be farther away from plants than other lights???

So from lots of reading it seems that people using led's keep them farther away from the plants than other types of lighting. I haven't found anything specific or definitive so I'm asking. It seems like they should be able to be very close because they are so cool. From experimentation, the plants do seem to do better with the lights about a foot away. Can anybody share their LED proximity to plants experience. The plants seem to be doing ok. Just want to make sure they do the BEST they can. No stretching has been seen. These things are short and bushy and very healthy so far.

It depends on the lens angle and somewhat diode wattage. The smaller the angle the farther the leds need to be from the canopy

Currently using globe leds, which are quite close to the canopy, but switching to led tubes for broader balanced coverage. will use globes under canopy as are the 2 in the middle

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the panels i have are supposed to be 8 inches away.

Thanks for the responses! Good idea on using the globe's under the canopy. Never thought of that. I have some fluorescents I was thinking of hanging vertically against the back wall but they get hot and are raising the temp in my small space by about 10 degrees. I may experience with the globe lights now.

In veg I would keep it 12" to 15". Flower 6-8"... I've had them down to 2-3", but new growth is tender and susceptible to bleaching, but surprisingly, the bud didn't die, it was just white. Here's a pic showing my lights' proximity during flower... and a pic of the albino main cola.

Those look awesome. I just flipped my lights to 12/12 and added 4 fluorescents. Will mine get taller like yours? I will post some pics.

It completely depends on the light. You accidentally bleach a top or two then you realize you need to push them back. I grew some tomatoes with the old blue and red 1Wers and I was able to have them as close as CFLs. I would try to find somebody with the same light as you and see if they have the optimal distance figured out. Otherwise send an email to the manufacturer to get the best answer.

growgirl925 said:

Those look awesome. I just flipped my lights to 12/12 and added 4 fluorescents. Will mine get taller like yours? I will post some pics.

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Have you heard of "the stretch"? Usually 2x but some 3x almost 4x. Good luck!