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@asde2 , the way Im seeing it is a little bit in the middle of 2 worlds. It is easier than DIY, and it is more modular /cheaper than the readymade LED lights and all that from a reputable vendor.
as Weezard noted, it would be interesting to see a side by side , you know just for the fun of it
as Weezard noted, it would be interesting to see a side by side , you know just for the fun of it
Great find! Illumitex has it going on. Still you want more blue than red in grow, and more red than blue in flower, so until someone figures that art out I'll stick with HO T5s and coral bulbs, which are available in PAR ranges. This allows me to swap out R/B at the twist of the wrist.
And another cool app using a Quantum Bad Boy T5. Mine is an 8 bulb, but it has 2 o/o switches and runs in banks of 2. During veg I can conserve energy using 2-4-6 or 8 bulbs. Small closet growers can place it vertically and cover 2 X 4 area
And another cool app using a Quantum Bad Boy T5. Mine is an 8 bulb, but it has 2 o/o switches and runs in banks of 2. During veg I can conserve energy using 2-4-6 or 8 bulbs. Small closet growers can place it vertically and cover 2 X 4 area
Actually you want more blue to keep the plants bushy and more red to make them stretch. They will flower under blue and red, the flower under white too. The biggest problem is the time it takes them to start flowering after the switch, that's what we found is encouraged by 660nm red a lot. Differences can be more than a week of flowering time!
I have to admit, I'm not happy with my color mixing skills, my plants just don't get high, they hardly stretch at all. Perhaps I'll grow them with fewer lights, farer away hoping that they get higher by that...
There are beautiful DIY red/white as well as red/blue lamps, I add the white so I can look at my plants without only sseing green color afterwards
alkalien: I had similar non stretching issues with my LED (UFO 90) which was ~ 85/15 R/B. Certainly LED tech has advanced since then, but the inability to control PAR remains. Now that I can adjust PAR, my plants are growing as they should.
I just hit bud development about 5 days ago with less than ideal bloom PAR. My order of deep red and actinic Blue coral bulbs finally showed up and were installed yesterday.
I don't want to jack this thread, but can post a now pic, if HempGuy (the person who started this thread) is curious, or you can go to my journal. hth
I just hit bud development about 5 days ago with less than ideal bloom PAR. My order of deep red and actinic Blue coral bulbs finally showed up and were installed yesterday.
I don't want to jack this thread, but can post a now pic, if HempGuy (the person who started this thread) is curious, or you can go to my journal. hth
G
guest456mpy
Hi Petflora:
Please do. It seems like a very useful technique for some, at the very least.
Please do. It seems like a very useful technique for some, at the very least.
This plant has grown from 7" 4 weeks ago to over 54" using a combination of Quantum Grow bulbs (which I already owned, and are pretty decent) + UVL Aqua Suns.
Flowering
3 days ago I replaced Quantum Blooms (they suck!) with 2 ATI Special Actinics + 2 Wave Tech Coral Waves + 2 UVL Red Life/Suns.
This photo was taken just prior to swapping out for the flower bulbs. Yesterday I had to bend her as I could not raise my fixture any higher
I have a journal here in case anyone wants to follow how it does
Flowering
3 days ago I replaced Quantum Blooms (they suck!) with 2 ATI Special Actinics + 2 Wave Tech Coral Waves + 2 UVL Red Life/Suns.
This photo was taken just prior to swapping out for the flower bulbs. Yesterday I had to bend her as I could not raise my fixture any higher
I have a journal here in case anyone wants to follow how it does
G
guest456mpy
Hi Petflora,
That's a very nice plant , how tall is it?
Here are a couple of photos from my current grow. Three plants:
Killer Queen Redux - front left
Trainwreck - rear left
Kandy Kush - front right
The space is 1m x 1m x 2m 300 watts LED.
GH nutes 6:9 @ ph 5.4 in coco top watered drain to waste in 10 inch plastic pots.
Canopy is 39 inches from top of pots.
They were flipped to 12/12 lights on October 6th... so 18 days into flowering.
I've been growing cannabis since 1968 or so, and have used many, many methods and lights, nutes etc. I've even grown fairly large crops outdoors with 100% organic means using soil and nutrients sourced from my own working farm back in the 70's. For me growing with LEDs is a challenge and I will never try to sell it as a "silver bullet". The choice of how to grow is a very personal decision making process with many, many variables. There are no right or wrong ways, per se... Cannabis is a highly adaptable plant and will thrive and produce top quality product with most, if not all, methods.
It is a poor craftsman that blames his tools, skill is extremely important in any grow. I was hoping when I started this thread that it might be used as a clearinghouse for information regarding LED grows. Skill sharing, as it were. Alas the membership of ICmag is not into sharing as much as arguing over minor points. Not pointing at you by any means, but a general view of things I've seen posted in the years I've been a member.
I was more than happy to let this thread die a peaceful and dignified death. Weezard has bumped it for any newbies and that is all good, but it is unlikely that many more meaningful posts will be added. I guess it's human nature to find differences and become polarized by them, but I was really hoping for much more than that.
Overall pic
A bit more overhead.
The very best of luck to you and everyone else, regardless of the methods they use.
H.G.
That's a very nice plant , how tall is it?
Here are a couple of photos from my current grow. Three plants:
Killer Queen Redux - front left
Trainwreck - rear left
Kandy Kush - front right
The space is 1m x 1m x 2m 300 watts LED.
GH nutes 6:9 @ ph 5.4 in coco top watered drain to waste in 10 inch plastic pots.
Canopy is 39 inches from top of pots.
They were flipped to 12/12 lights on October 6th... so 18 days into flowering.
I've been growing cannabis since 1968 or so, and have used many, many methods and lights, nutes etc. I've even grown fairly large crops outdoors with 100% organic means using soil and nutrients sourced from my own working farm back in the 70's. For me growing with LEDs is a challenge and I will never try to sell it as a "silver bullet". The choice of how to grow is a very personal decision making process with many, many variables. There are no right or wrong ways, per se... Cannabis is a highly adaptable plant and will thrive and produce top quality product with most, if not all, methods.
It is a poor craftsman that blames his tools, skill is extremely important in any grow. I was hoping when I started this thread that it might be used as a clearinghouse for information regarding LED grows. Skill sharing, as it were. Alas the membership of ICmag is not into sharing as much as arguing over minor points. Not pointing at you by any means, but a general view of things I've seen posted in the years I've been a member.
I was more than happy to let this thread die a peaceful and dignified death. Weezard has bumped it for any newbies and that is all good, but it is unlikely that many more meaningful posts will be added. I guess it's human nature to find differences and become polarized by them, but I was really hoping for much more than that.
Overall pic
A bit more overhead.
The very best of luck to you and everyone else, regardless of the methods they use.
H.G.
She is now over 5ft tall. I had to snap her about 18" below the top as she outgrew my height.
She is budding nicely now.
FYI, I have a thread here titled"Are LEDs Misunderstood". It's about a year old with lots of good info
The only issue I have with your comment is that the current config of LEDs does not provide the ability to adjust ones' lights for veg and bloom cycles. It should be 60/40: Blue during Grow and 60/40 Red during Flower.
Feel free to check out my active journal
She is budding nicely now.
FYI, I have a thread here titled"Are LEDs Misunderstood". It's about a year old with lots of good info
The only issue I have with your comment is that the current config of LEDs does not provide the ability to adjust ones' lights for veg and bloom cycles. It should be 60/40: Blue during Grow and 60/40 Red during Flower.
Feel free to check out my active journal
G
guest456mpy
Petflora:
Yeah, she looked quite tall by looking at the surroundings. I am happy that you are satisfied with your lighting hardware, but for the life of me I do not understand what that has to do with skills for LED growing. The point I kept trying to make in this thread was skills and techniques, not hardware.
Again, it seems like human nature to "get" only want they want out of any given situation, but I was hoping for posters to keep to the subject matter. Your own thread "Are LEDs misunderstood" is a more appropriate place for that discussion. As stated in my first post, this is a thread for the use of LEDs for those already having them in their possession and want to get the best results; not the pros and cons of LEDs vs any other lighting.
With regards to non adjustment of R/B ratios my DIY LED units have a dial for each color (R/B) which allows ratio changes. I believe that Lumigrow and possibly some others do the same thing . Anyone building their own should at least consider this option.
Weezard was the first to do this when we were at another web site a few years back, I liked the idea and shamelessly used it in my own designs. It should be noted that my equipment was built back in 2008 or so and is therefore at least two generations of hardware old. Newer LEDs should easily beat mine. Those that don't are most likely watered down designs to maximize profit, not performance. That is the real danger of using LEDs. Since I have been using the exact same lighting for the last few years I simply cannot comment on the current lamps with any real knowledge.
So once again we focus on hardware instead of adaptation of growing techniques with a mind towards better growing. No skills have been passed.
Sigh, is it that hard to comprehend?
Yeah, she looked quite tall by looking at the surroundings. I am happy that you are satisfied with your lighting hardware, but for the life of me I do not understand what that has to do with skills for LED growing. The point I kept trying to make in this thread was skills and techniques, not hardware.
Again, it seems like human nature to "get" only want they want out of any given situation, but I was hoping for posters to keep to the subject matter. Your own thread "Are LEDs misunderstood" is a more appropriate place for that discussion. As stated in my first post, this is a thread for the use of LEDs for those already having them in their possession and want to get the best results; not the pros and cons of LEDs vs any other lighting.
With regards to non adjustment of R/B ratios my DIY LED units have a dial for each color (R/B) which allows ratio changes. I believe that Lumigrow and possibly some others do the same thing . Anyone building their own should at least consider this option.
Weezard was the first to do this when we were at another web site a few years back, I liked the idea and shamelessly used it in my own designs. It should be noted that my equipment was built back in 2008 or so and is therefore at least two generations of hardware old. Newer LEDs should easily beat mine. Those that don't are most likely watered down designs to maximize profit, not performance. That is the real danger of using LEDs. Since I have been using the exact same lighting for the last few years I simply cannot comment on the current lamps with any real knowledge.
So once again we focus on hardware instead of adaptation of growing techniques with a mind towards better growing. No skills have been passed.
Sigh, is it that hard to comprehend?
"Sigh, is it that hard to comprehend? "
Not really.
I think what happened is, we covered the differences between led grows and HPS/MH grows in the first few pages.
I read through it again to see if I had any new insights.
Nope. Looks like we covered it.
And that's why I bumped it, for the info already there.
So, folks, If you read this far and can add any tips for LED growing, Please do!
We're all eyes.
Aloha,
Weeze
Not really.
I think what happened is, we covered the differences between led grows and HPS/MH grows in the first few pages.
I read through it again to see if I had any new insights.
Nope. Looks like we covered it.
And that's why I bumped it, for the info already there.
So, folks, If you read this far and can add any tips for LED growing, Please do!
We're all eyes.
Aloha,
Weeze
G
guest456mpy
"Sigh, is it that hard to comprehend? "
Not really.
I think what happened is, we covered the differences between led grows and HPS/MH grows in the first few pages.
I read through it again to see if I had any new insights.
Nope. Looks like we covered it.
And that's why I bumped it, for the info already there.
So, folks, If you read this far and can add any tips for LED growing, Please do!
We're all eyes.
Aloha,
Weeze
I agree totally Weezard, I cannot think of anything to add at this time, which is not to say that there isn't something we all have missed. On the behalf of new LED growers thanks for bumping the thread.
But please everyone, no LED vs other lighting topic posts.
Even different LED mfrs might be best served on other threads that already are in progress. This makes it easier to find actual useful LED growing information easier
New information!
New information!
Well, new to here.
Finally came up with a LED caveat.
So, if this dead horse can take one more beating . . .
Been experimenting with different strains.
Seems I jus' got lucky on my first led grow.
Used some WW seed purchased from Italy.
They "liked" leds mo' betta than sunlight!
Then I managed to score some "Gainesville Green".
Superb genetics!
That's the good news.
First ones to sprout under leds said;
"WFT! are you kidding us?"
Took 'em out in the sun, they perked up.
Got 'em healthy again, eased them back under the leds and waited.
For a very short time.
Inside of a week, they were "sulking" again.
Checked with my benefactor and found that they turned their thylakoids up at CFLs too.
That's why he sent them.
To see how they handled leds.
Oh, yeah, I had forgot dat.
Long story truncated?
We are attempting crosses with our "ledhumpers" an' "leddites"
Trying to keep the mildew resistance while we breed in tolerance for diversity of light energy.
Still playing with the shirkers to see if it's an intensity, or a spectral issue.
Anyone needs the long story.
I'll start a new thread for it.
Might fit the pragmatic mold if we can compile a list of strains that flourish under LEDs, yah?
I'll start with:
Humboldt purple,
Italian White Widow,
Lavender BB,
and three unknown strains from a superseed grabbag.
Drat! my responsibilities have found me, gotta run.
Aloha,
Weezard
New information!
Well, new to here.
Finally came up with a LED caveat.
So, if this dead horse can take one more beating . . .
Been experimenting with different strains.
Seems I jus' got lucky on my first led grow.
Used some WW seed purchased from Italy.
They "liked" leds mo' betta than sunlight!
Then I managed to score some "Gainesville Green".
Superb genetics!
That's the good news.
First ones to sprout under leds said;
"WFT! are you kidding us?"
Took 'em out in the sun, they perked up.
Got 'em healthy again, eased them back under the leds and waited.
For a very short time.
Inside of a week, they were "sulking" again.
Checked with my benefactor and found that they turned their thylakoids up at CFLs too.
That's why he sent them.
To see how they handled leds.
Oh, yeah, I had forgot dat.
Long story truncated?
We are attempting crosses with our "ledhumpers" an' "leddites"
Trying to keep the mildew resistance while we breed in tolerance for diversity of light energy.
Still playing with the shirkers to see if it's an intensity, or a spectral issue.
Anyone needs the long story.
I'll start a new thread for it.
Might fit the pragmatic mold if we can compile a list of strains that flourish under LEDs, yah?
I'll start with:
Humboldt purple,
Italian White Widow,
Lavender BB,
and three unknown strains from a superseed grabbag.
Drat! my responsibilities have found me, gotta run.
Aloha,
Weezard
G
guest456mpy
Hi Weez.
Not feeling up to sitting at computers lately.
That's pretty useful info. Due to health problems I officially gift you this thread. Do what good you can with it, brah!
Not feeling up to sitting at computers lately.
That's pretty useful info. Due to health problems I officially gift you this thread. Do what good you can with it, brah!
No wanna hear that, brah.
Please get better.
Not volunteering to do anything more than add new, useful information as it turns up.
Finding that Indica leaning strains want much higher red:blue ratio than Sativa kine.
Don't have solid numbers yet, but I'm workin' on it.
Probably start a new thread just for strains/light ratios.
But this thread is a goldmine of excellent information.
You have a lot of time and brains invested.
So, I'll keep bumping this one because I send people here and want it to be findable.
Be well, my friend.
Anything we can do to help?
No be shy!
Aloha nui loa,
Wee 'zard
