There are some important things to consider before purchasing led grow lights. The following guideline will help you choose the best LED lights for your indoor gardening.
Take the surface area into account
First, measure the area of your indoor plants to determine how much light they need. To maximize the space, consider buying multiple LED lights if you have a large area. You might find that not enough light is being given to each plant for proper growth.
Select LED Lights with a Cooling System
You should ensure that LED grow lights do not overheat. This is especially important if the lights will be used for more than 15 hours per day. This intense heat can be dangerous to plants and can cause serious safety problems, especially if there are pets or children around. The heat in LED bulbs is located towards the back so that heat can sink away from plants and the unit.
Output
Different LED bulbs produce different outputs so make sure you are familiar with the exact output you require. We recommend a minimum output of 300W as a rule. You won’t always get 100% power so you will likely end up with less than the maximum power. If you are looking for an efficient alternative, you may want to choose the most watt option.
Leafy greens also require around 30 watts for every square foot. Tomatoes require 40-50 Watts per square foot. You will need to multiply the area you have by the amount of wattage you desire to produce based on the crops you are growing. Divide the watts you need by the number bulbs you intend to use.
Semiconductor Chip
The semiconductor chip in the core of LED lights will convert electricity into light. However, this chip can also determine the wavelength. A semiconductor chip with at least 3W is a good choice. You won’t have enough lighting to support optimal plant growth.
What you’re growing
Consider your plants when choosing the best grow light for you. While all LED lights can perform the same task, some models may offer additional features. Not all plants require the same wavelengths at different stages of growth. For example, tomatoes require a different wavelength of light than indoor flowers.
It’s easy to use
You don’t want your LED lights taking too much time or effort to operate. You want your grow lights to be simple and efficient. It is easy to adjust the light intensity and wavelength when needed. This is a great option if you need to change the plants you grow indoors or adjust the light intensity. Also, look for LED lights that can be used immediately after being removed from their packaging.
Warranty
LED grow lights can be expensive so it is important to get a warranty. The average model should last for around ten years. However, if you buy a less-reliable brand, it might not last as long. A longer warranty is a good idea.
You might also want to think about the cost and ease involved in replacing bulbs if they go out of date. Although most bulbs last a long time, you shouldn’t have to replace them every few months even if the grow light is used every day.
Growing vegetables
It’s possible to use your LED bulbs indoors. The light required for vegetables is 16-18 hours per day. This time period will allow enough light to reflect outdoor conditions and support vegetative growth. Your vegetation will start to flower after one to two months. This is a sign that it can transition to the next stage of its growth. Once your plant is ready to flower, you can change the light cycle to 12 hour days.
Flowering
You will need to have a light cycle of between 2 and 18 hours per day in order to operate LED lights for plants. You can expect a larger flowering stage if you have a higher red light spectrum. The flowering stage typically lasts around eight weeks. During this time, you should not feed the plants. Avoid overwatering plants.
Which Light Spectrum is Right for Your Plants
Both red and blue light are essential for plants to grow. While both types of light are provided by the Sun, many LED lights provide a spectrum that can be used to aid in growth. You’ll notice that lighting is labeled in numbers. This indicates the range of lighting. A 6500K light will provide more blue light which is great for early growth. A 2700K light, however, provides warmer red which is better for fruiting and flowering. You can instead buy LED lights that combine both a full spectrum and one of the two, which will allow you to adjust as your growers progress through different stages.
