With the advancements in lighting technology over the past few years, more people are considering LED grow lights when setting up an indoor garden or getting involved in hydroponics. There was a time when the market for these products was small and uses were limited. The industry had a small cult following and that was about it. Many indoor gardeners these days are using these lights to grow a variety of plants like wheat grass, cannabis, strawberries and lettuce. Light manufacturers are continuously researching new designs and with each new development, the market grows a little bit more as the public becomes more aware of the options available. Suppliers are not in the business of selling inferior equipment to their consumers. Reputable suppliers stand by their products and genuinely care about customer satisfaction. Reading an LED grow lights review can help consumers find the right product for their specific needs.

Read on for information about the latest developments and new technology available on the market.

Advancements in LED Grow Lights

Consumers are often reluctant to try new technology. They become comfortable with one product and prefer to stick with what they know as long as possible. LEDs are becoming more popular with average consumers as they realize the various advantages to using them. Many people are now using them in place of HID fixtures when gardening indoors. LED lights allow the grower to increase yield in a smaller area. These fixtures operate at precise wavelengths that allow the plants to absorb more light than they do in the presence of HID lights. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light to energy. The plant uses this energy to grow leaves and produce fruit.

This article should help anyone who is interested in growing plants that will thrive in an indoor growing environment. I will not make any comparisons between specific brands. May focus will be on LED grow light features and the advantages associated with used LED lights compared to HID lights. I will also write a bit about the recent technological developments in the industry.

LED Lights – A Shift in Theory

For the past four decades, indoor gardeners have had few options when purchasing grow lights. The market has not provided many choices in grow lights. The goal is to provide indoor plants with light that mimics natural sunlight and gives them everything they need to thrive. Sunlight plays a crucial role in photosynthesis. Without sunlight, plants cannot grow properly because they do not have enough energy to produce vegetation and flowers.

Sunlight is white light. Wavelengths across the entire visible light spectrum combined with ultraviolet and infrared make up sunlight. Designers attempted to make the first grow lights as close to natural sunlight as possible but the products were not effective when put into practical use. Plants have different needs when it comes to lighting. Orchids have different light needs than cannabis or other types of plants. A limited light range is adequate for many plants. The light stimulates the chemicals involved in photosynthesis and the plants grow. LED bulbs provide anywhere from 90% to 99% of the light needed for photosynthesis. HID lights only produce 15% of the needed light. Clearly, this is a big difference in efficiency.

The grower will need to learn how to adjust watering schedules and light cycles for successful growth of most plants in an indoor environment. Nutrient requirements will change as well. These changes do not have to be extreme. Sometimes all it takes is to alter the environment and adjust light cycles by a few hours one way or the other.

Many seed packets have instructions printed on them listing the needs for growing plants outside or inside. Flowering, vegetative and growing cycle periods may need changes depending on the specific plant. Cannabis is an example of a plant that has different needs depending on the strain. Most seed suppliers assume the consumer is using HID bulbs. HID and LED lighting do not share the same characteristics. When compared to HID bulbs, LED fixtures produce eight times more light. This is one reason for the need to use different growing techniques. Making the switch may take some getting used to but using LED lights is no more difficult than growing with HID lighting. Working with LED lights is just different and requires a few adjustments. As a bonus, LEDs are more effective. I recommend using LED lights to any indoor gardener who is willing to take the time to learn how to use them properly.

I have prepared the following guide for cannabis growers. I am still working on parts of this document but there is some valuable information for anyone who wants to grow cannabis indoors with LED grow lights.

Is a Wider Spectrum of Light Really Needed?

The earliest versions of these lights were simple in design and produced a single band of red light and a single band of blue light. Plants use red light to produce flowers and blue light to grow vegetation. The first LED fixtures manufactured provided both bands of light but studies revealed that more was needed for the best growth. Additional light is particularly important when photosynthesis is at its peak.

The Key to Growing Great Buds

Growers can find information about growing weed in publications like 420 Magazine and High Times. Computer users should review the highest rated growing guide online for valuable tips and hints.

A shift in the market over the last few years has seen consumers purchasing 11 band, 6 band and tri-band fixtures instead of the traditional blue and red LED lights. Some companies carry full spectrum and white light setups. I have conducted research on this subject and it seems clear from the literature I have read that plants will thrive with a single orange light band in combination with two blue and two red light bands.

In my opinion, 11 band and 6 band LEDs are more like HID fixtures because there is too much white light produced and much of it goes to waste. The growing process becomes less efficient because it does not factor in peak targeting. Instead of a step forward in technology, this represents a step back. Growers should also keep in mind that 85% of the light produced by most HID fixtures is waste because the plant cannot even use it. Growers can expect to get this type of light with white LEDs or full spectrum bulbs. I believe in using less white light in the typical LED array for the best growing results.

Why do so many lighting companies produce these lights if they are so ineffective?

Consumers today tend to believe that more must be better. Advertising companies fill the airwaves with messages that sell items that are bigger, better, new and improved. Many lighting companies do not do enough research about what type of light is most effective. The manufacturer is interested in keeping the consumer satisfied. Consumers may be willing to buy more than they need despite the fact there is something available that will better suit their needs. You should always ask the company to provide proof of any claims made about performance. Make sure you understand the supplier’s return policy.

Are LED grow lights actually effective?

Many growers get success with LED lights when used for micro grows with shorter vegetative growth cycles. When the grower extends the flowering stage, the plant will be low to the ground with a few branches and one cola. Some growers report a yield of approximately four grams for every watt, which is good output for indoor plants. Commercial planting is something completely different. These lights will not produce the type of big trees grown for the medical marijuana market.

Many people agree with the opinion that LED lights are not adequate for commercial production. I think they will work for growing some kinds of plants commercially. A farmer in New Hampshire is growing hydroponic tomatoes using LEDs and having great success with his setup. The farmer claims his electricity usage is half what it was before he started using LED lights. This averages out to about a $500 savings every month on his power bill. The article and the farmer’s results make good arguments for replacing traditional light fixtures with LEDs.

The Relationship Between Wattage and Grow Areas and What You Should Know

I believe manufacturers will start to back off some of their claims as time goes on. One such claim is the notion a 400 watt HPS is comparable to a 90 watt bulb. Some say a 350 watt fixture is equivalent to a 1000 watts HID. I think manufacturers should recalculate space area and reconsider their claims. They should provide growers more information about what the 90 watt LED is best used for. The manufacturer should always specify plant height, recommended vegetative stages, quantity, cannabis strain and plant type. This will help consumers make informed decisions when comparing different light manufacturers and making a purchase.

More specifically, I recommend a 90 watt light for an area of 2 x 2 or smaller. This is the most effective setup for cannabis vegetative and flowering stages. This is comparable to using a 250 watt HID fixture and requires 60% less power overall. If the plant is lettuce, a larger grow space is recommended. Light coverage for lettuce should be 4 x 4. Lettuce does not need as much light as cannabis to grow and there is no flowering cycle involved in the growth process. The only requirement will be for vegetative growth. Manufacturers should clearly define the light specifications so growers can consider these requirement differences and choose their lighting array accordingly. Consumers should learn as much as they can about the different lighting systems available before making any purchase. Doing good research is the best way to make sure you are getting what you want at the best price available.

Some Final Thoughts

Anyone who wants to understand LED grow light systems better should locate an expert in the field and start asking questions. Any reputable LED supplier will be able to answer your questions and offer advice based on your specific needs. You are welcome to comment on this article or contact me directly for help. Do not do business with any supplier who does not take the time to answer your questions or offers vague responses. Some people are only selling lights to make fast cash. They are not particularly interested in offering full disclosure when it comes to giving out information about their products. There are enough reputable dealers doing business there is no need to waste time with a retailer who is reluctant to share any details. Reputable suppliers will have no problem answering every question and providing details about their products.

I believe there will be new companies getting into the LED light market during 2011. I also think some of the front runners in the industry will join forces before the year ends. If this happens, there will be fewer companies offering these products for sale. Even though consumers will have fewer options when shopping for lights, they should be able to purchase a better quality product. These mergers often make the company more efficient and this is a good thing for the consumer. I believe this means better products will end up on the market. With so many changes to keep up with, consumers should always do plenty of research before making any final decisions and doing business with any company.

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