by Lee G . Lyzit
Q
I am a beginning grower of cannabis . I am really struggling to find out which LED light is best for a 4x4-foot inside grow area ? What would be your recommendations ?
— Karl a
Thank you for your question . It can be difficult to determine which horticultural LED lighting system is best for an indoor cannabis garden . Artificial horticultural LED lighting is a competitive market , boasting many products and this can be overwhelming for a new grower . LED lighting systems are very popular among growers due to their low heat signature and relatively efficient light output . LED technology allows growers to maximize the amount of PAR ( photosynthetically active radiation ), or usable light energy , for their plants and do so without creating an abundance of heat . To compare LED lighting systems , it ’ s helpful to understand the different types of LEDs used for horticulture . There are two types of LEDs used for horticultural lighting systems : surface mount and chip-on-board ( COB ). Surface mount are the most common and what most people would associate with an LED system . Surface-mount LEDs come in low- , mid- , and high-power options . Mid- or high-power diodes are used for horticultural purposes , as the low-power surface mounts are too weak to get results in the garden . Mid-power surface mount LEDs for horticulture are cost efficient and have a power range of one watt or less for each diode . High-power surface mount LEDs for horticulture are more expensive and typically have a power range of three to five watts per diode . Chip-on-board LEDs are essentially multiple LED chips adhered to a substrate which produces a sort of LED array . Both surface-mount and COB LED systems can be effective for growing plants . The biggest determining factor for choosing the right LED for your grow space is the amount of light energy available to the plants . This is most accurately done
by measuring the photosynthetic photon flux density ( PPFD ) at your garden ’ s plant canopy . PPFD is the amount of light photons that hit a surface ( in this case your plant canopy ) during a one second duration . This can be measured in units known as micro-moles . To take it a step further , you can look at the lighting system ’ s daily light integral ( DLI ). The DLI is the calculation of your PPFD throughout one day ( or light cycle ). Cannabis growers will shoot for at least 40 moles ( one mole equals 1,000,000 micro-moles ) of light per light cycle . Beyond 40 moles per day , most cannabis gardens experience a point of diminishing returns .
For most beginners , PPFD , micro-moles , moles , and DLI are a bit overwhelming . Although these measurements can help professionals maximize their returns , hobbyist growers can adequately choose a LED lighting system for their gardens based on the actual wattage of the lighting system . A good rule of thumb is to incorporate at least 32 watts per square foot of growing space . Keep in mind this refers to the actual wattage of the unit , not the amount of watts the LED manufacturer claims the unit replaces . For example , in a 4x4-foot garden ( 16 square feet ), you would want to have an LED lighting system with an output of at least 512 watts . This will provide enough energy for your cannabis plants to mature and flower effectively in that given space . I hope this answers your question .
Keep on Growing , Lee G . Lyzit
LL
Lee G . Lyzit has been involved in the cannabis industry for nearly 20 years . His passion for natural healing motivates him to learn as much as he can about the miraculous cannabis plant . Lee ’ s knowledge of cannabis gardening stems from his own extensive cultivation experiences and his past work as a hydroponic shop owner and manager .
16 Maximum Yield