Maximize Growth with LED Lights

Posted on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at 4:55 am.

LED lights, or “light-emitting diodes,” were first developed in the 1960s and have become the preferred lighting for indoor gardening. New technologies have made LED grow lights the most powerful and cost-effective option for supporting indoor plant growth. Consider the following points:

• Gardeners can expect to spend approximately 50 to 70 percent less on electricity bills once LED grow lights are in use.
• LED lights are highly efficient. With other indoor lighting options, nearly two-thirds of the light produced is unusable for photosynthesis. The best LED lights boast efficiencies of 90% and higher.
• LED lights eliminate the need for ballasts, reflectors, fans and expensive heat removal systems.
• On average, LED lights have lifespan of more than 50,000 hours. Other grow lights need to be replaced ten to twenty times more often.

To reap the benefits of LED lamps, however, gardeners must keep three variables in mind: the distance between their LEDs and plants, the durations of light and dark cycles, and fertilization.

The Proximity of LED Growing Lights & Plants

LED lights are prized in part for emitting virtually no heat. This helps gardeners avoid accidentally drying their plants and evaporating valuable nutrients too quickly. LED lights should be placed approximately one foot above plants, which is closer than the distance recommended for traditional fluorescent bulbs and HID lights. Your LED grow light vendor can help determine the best light placement for your particular indoor crops and LED wattage.

Controlling the Cycles of Light and Darkness

Different plant species require different cycles of lighting. For example, many indoor tomato gardeners leave LED lights on for 18 hours and then let plants “sleep” for six hours. For some plant species, gardeners use one light cycle length during the plants’ initial growth and another during the flowering stage. Be sure to research the best light cycle options for your particular indoor garden. In many cases you can strategically use LED grow lights to yield a larger crop than you’d get outdoors with natural light cycles.

Fertilizing an Indoor LED Light Garden

LED lights help gardeners make the most of their investments in plant nutrients. Compared with incandescent and fluorescent lamps, LED growing lights evaporate nutrients at a slower rate. Approximately half the traditional amount of fertilizer is required in an LED light garden.

Of course, not all LED grow lights are created equally. Be sure to read a reliable LED grow light review for each product that interests you. Some popular products include Extreme Flower LED lights, Diamond Series LED lights and the All Blue Extreme Veg LED.

Happy growing!

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