All you need for year-round indoor plant growth of flowers, veggies, or herbs is enough light. A lot of new gardeners think that just by sticking a light close to their plants, the job is done, which is not true. Not using grow lights correctly might cause your plants to become infected, unhealthy, or die.
Be aware of these typical flaws before making any arrangements for your grow room with lighting. Whether you set up a greenhouse, a small indoor area or only have an apartment, these steps will help any plant you care for.
Many people starting in photography make the mistake of picking an unsuitable source of light. Only certain types of bulbs will help plants grow well. While you might think all LED or CFL bulbs are fine, using them for plants can be wrong since they require very specific wavelengths, mostly blue and red.
Various Kinds of Grow Lights Are Applied:
- The design of LED grow lights helps save power, covers every light spectrum, and is right for all plant growth stages.
- Many leafy greens and seedling cultivations are supported by fluorescent grow lights (CFL/T5).
- Both MH and HPS are part of the HID (High-Intensity Discharge) family; their strong light is paired with being hot and wasteful with energy.
The best choice when you first get into hydroponics is full-spectrum LED lighting. Since they look like the sun, use less electricity, and don’t get hot, they are safer and simpler for everybody.
Spacing the Light too Closely or Far Away from your Plants will have Negative Effects
People sometimes place the grow light too high above or very far away from their cannabis plants.
Once the light is right, the next step is to set it up in the right position. More people should realize how much difference distance makes.
As you move the light closer, the top soft leaves can be scorched or fried. When light is difficult to reach, the plants try to reach it and grow unhealthy stems.
Light is Either Too Dark or Seems Too Bright
Shade can make them use a lot of their energy and if they don’t get enough sunlight, their growth might be slower.
What are the obvious symptoms?
If the leaves are curled, the edges look dry or the covers have turned lighter, your plants are getting too much sunlight.
Not enough light can lead to discoloration and slow growth, and the plants may tend to lean closer to where light is.
Not Paying Attention to the Climate
A lot of HID grow lights built in the past tend to produce a lot of heat. Keeping LED grow lights on for many hours in a closed place can help raise the humidity just a little. Exposure of plants to too much heat makes them wilt, their leaves turn brown and the soil dries up.
What to do when it’s very hot:
- It helps to measure both the temperature and the humidity with either a thermometer or a hygrometer.
- Give your plants shade for some hours every day to provide them rest.
Fish and their space should be kept between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C); try to keep them from cold and hot areas. Plants are harmed by overheating just as much as by not getting enough light.
Failing to Raise the Lights While Plants Grow
Many growers install their lights just once and never change them as the plants develop. Plants that grow taller will put less space between the lights and the canopy, and if you don’t change the height, you may get uneven light or top damage.
- Do your best to use this strategy every time you go to the store.
- Look at the height of your plant every week.
- Regulate your lights to the brightness that you want.
- Try to move your plants at every opportunity you have to support balanced growth.
- Depending on your grow light, move it around manually to give your plants more light.
Waiting Before You Remove Garden Lighting
Grow lights and perfect surroundings won’t save your plants if you aren’t providing a regular lighting schedule. Proper organization and normal biological functions in plants is maintained by both day and night.
- The easiest solution is to use a timer.
- Set up your aquarium with automatic lighting.
- Keep the schedule for night and day in your plants the same.
- You can get big results by investing a little in setting up a timer.
Extra Tips for Growing with Grow Lights
Use these additional tips to help you use your grow lights in the best way:
- Carefully clean your lights often because dust and debris lower their efficiency.
- Cover your walls in white to increase how bright your setup stays.
- Record the progress of your plants either in a journal or with an app and keep track of their light and needs.
- The right amount of light is useful, but so is making sure your plants get healthy soil, water, and fertilizer.
FAQ's
What is the best daily time to keep your grow lights on?
According to the plant type, they generally need at least 12 hours of light daily, and then they need a rest in the dark.
Would regular LED bulbs make suitable grow lights?
LED bulbs are not created with the right spectrum. Only use LED grow lights that are meant to help plants grow.
Will shining light from grow lights lead to higher electricity bills?
LED lights used for growing now save energy. Using a timer may help lower your energy use and your electricity bill.
Final Words
Plants grown indoors need the proper use of grow lights to do well. For better plant growth, try to avoid these six mistakes.
Daily monitor your grow room, look at the plants, and adjust the growing conditions as needed. Looking after plants inside will give you something colorful and edible all year round.