LED Grow Lights

LED grow lights are relatively new to the marijuana growing world, but they have become very popular over the last few years with their ability to produce great yields while staying cool and using a reasonable amount of electricity. With a high quality LED grow light and an average-to-good grow, you can expect yields of around 0.5 to 1g/watt.

The ultimate yield depends a lot on strain and grow skill, as well as the quality of the lamp itself, but that's a good rule of thumb for most models. For example, a 200W LED (200W true power draw, not an "equivalent" wattage) would yield about 100-200 grams on average, or 3.5 to 7 ounces.

Today's LED models are far better for cultivating cannabis than the ones available even a few years ago. Several modern lamps are full spectrum or "wideband" spectrum (rather than just red and blue light diodes, which generate a bluish purple light and are occasionally called "blurples"). Full spectrum light is easier on the eyes and adding at least some amount of green light to blurples usually results in healthier growth. Other spectrum colors like red, far red, and infrared are important for the budding/flowering stage. LED producers have developed customized lenses to aim light directly to the plants and boost penetration, leading to bigger yields for the same amount of light compared to older models. There are also many different form factors, with everything from the casing to the size of the diodes varying from model to model.

3 Key Kinds of LED Grow Lights

There are 3 key types of LEDs that are most often used for cultivating cannabis. Each type of model has its benefits and drawbacks, so there isn't yet a "best" LED type. Some are better for some situations than others.

1. Spread Style

Many smaller LEDs are spread out over a large area. Examples of this style include Quantum Boards, Rack and "Spider style" LED grow lights.

Quantum Board

The name "Quantum Board LED grow light" stemmed from Horticulture Lighting Group, though the term is now occasionally used for any LED in this style. They tend to have relatively low wattage diodes which are spread out over a large area on a board. These are getting more popular lately, and seem to provide particularly good results for the amount of wattage utilized.

Spider LED

The "spider style" LEDs are similar to Quantum Boards in that the individual diodes are spread out and tend to be on the smaller side, however they are set on a panel with "arms" like a spider rather than a solid board. One popular example is the SPYDRx line of LED lights. These generally have an extremely high price, yet cultivators that use them swear they get better results than any other type of LED grow light.

2. Traditional Panel

The standard panel LEDs have small to medium wattage diodes and the lamps have a tendency to be more compact. Most LED grow lights available today are in this design. They are sort of halfway between a Quantum Board and a COB Style light, with a mix of elements from both.

3. COB Style

These grow lights utilize huge COB (Chip on Board) LED "bulbs". Each COB is extremely bright and intense since they have several LED chips in a small area. COBs produce more powerful light than other types of LEDs, and each COB uses a significant amount of electricity.

Instead of having dozens of small diodes, COB style LED grow lights generally just have a handful of large COBs, each with strong lenses to point the light down into the plant. These are rapidly gaining in popularity and are known for having deep penetration into the plant canopy.

AutoCOBs

Itis also common to see LED grow lights that just have one COB per lamp. These make it easy to spread your light over a grow area, one lamp at a time. Occasionally called "AutoCOBs". Some LED grow lights have a single COB LED. Several units can be spread out as needed.

Each COB has its own spectrum, so you can make a tailored spectrum for your plants by merging several AutoCOBs together. They are very configurable if you have an abnormally shaped grow area, or would like to be able to accommodate different plants of different sizes at the same time.Some COB LED grow lights can be plugged into standard light sockets.

Choose LED Grow Lights If:

• You would like to utilize the most cutting-edge indoor marijuana grow lights with a customized spectrum of light
• You are willing to do some research to figure out the best LED grow light for your space
• You have some extra money to spend on your first setup (some of the best LED grow lights have a high initial price).
• You don't want to deal with an exhaust system or ducting, and would prefer to simply hang your grow light over your marijuana plants and let the lights cool themselves.
• Quality (potency, smell, trichome development) and simplicity of use are important to you.

For all the grow lighting supplies with the best and latest technology in Kansas City, Missouri, contact Grower’s Choice at 909-972-8419 or visit our website at Growersc.com for more information.