Light emitting diodes or LEDs are those special diodes that make light bulbs, lamps, and several other lighting solutions. Due to their incredible efficiency, most growers turn to LED grow lights for their hobby and commercial growing projects.LEDs are a preferred choice among growers due to their energy efficiency, compactness, longer lifespan, stimulating plant growth, the heat output, adjustable wavelength and many other features.
Nowadays, there are several aboutgrow lights. As you read on below, this post should clear all your doubts and bust some common LED grow light myths.
#1- LED Grow Lights are not Bright Enough
LED grow lights have a unique working mechanism, where the bulb gives off an exact wavelength of the visible spectrum of light. Note that plants in the process of photosynthesis require specific light wavelengths. LED grow lights have the right blend of wavelengths that plants need for photosynthesis in the best ratios. In addition to sufficient bright light, the wavelengths of the lights are mainly blues, oranges, and reds in 430-470nm and 580-630nm ranges. Note that these lights go through several formulations to give the optimal diode ratio blend.
Hence, this myth is one you should disregard. Growing with LED grow lights is an efficient way to provide your plants with the optimum light they need for photosynthesis.
#2- These Lights are More Expensive Compared to Others
Although the best LED grow lights may seem expensive at first, they are actually much cheaper to use than traditional lights such as HPS and metal halides. Not only do the best LED grow lights use about half the power of HID bulbs, they are much more efficient and put off less heat. This means a reduction in air conditioning. Furthermore, you eliminate digital ballasts, hoods, reflectors, changing bulbs every few grows. Add this all up and even the most expensive LED grow light turns out to be cheaper than the $80 HPS bulb.
#3- They Bring Heavier Power Bills
This is not true! A notable advantage of choosing Dorm Grow LED grow lights compared to other options like Metal Halide bulbs, High-Pressure Sodium, and even other LEDs is the extreme efficiency of these lights. These lights will get you the most high quality plant product per unit of electricity consumed. Your grow room will be much cooler and the plants will be healthier, with more aroma and flavor.
To provide a powerful spectrum of light, the lighting industry goes through several improvements, but their power efficiency remains an uncertainty for many. Some people claim that the energy gets lost in the lighting process in the form of heat, but this not true. The specifics matter here, but generally, LED lighting has become 60% more efficient during the past 10 years and its energy consumption is about 80% less compared to regular lighting.
#4- LEDs Consist of Hazardous Components
Considering this point, we would like to clear another major concern out of your way.LED grow lights do not use lead, mercury, or any sort of material that may pose harm. In fact, you should know that LED grow lights are recyclable, eco-friendly and safe.
#5- PAR is the Measure of Light Plants Require
No, it’s not. You should know that the term Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR), in the right context describes the spectra of lights that plants use (often between 40-700nm). Since most plants use more of blue and red light colors these, get weighted more compared to green and yellow. In simple words, PAR is actually the way to measure the lights quality from the perspective of plants, and it doesn’t actually measure the quantity. Below 400nm and above 700nm, PAR ignores the light that plants use.
#6- Plants Need Blue Light Only for Vegetative and Red Just for Flowering
Just to grab more attention, some companies claim that blue light is only necessary for the vegetative growth of plants and red for the flowering stages. For some low-light crops like wheatgrass, this may work, but other light-loving plants need the complete spectrum of light to grow properly. Therefore, you should not fall for this myth!
Several other myths surround LED grow lights, but rest assured that not all of them are true. Now that you have enough information that should help to clear the myths or any doubts you have regarding these lights, you should be able to make a well-informed decision for your grow space. These lights are the future of indoor growing and a great aid in growing various plants. They provide maximum yields, are energy efficient, and bring several other benefits to domestic and commercial projects.