I am trying to determine the optimal lighting schedule for my cannabis plants. I have heard that different schedules can affect the growth and yield of the plants. Can you recommend a lighting schedule that is proven to produce great results?
One answer “What is the best lighting schedule for cannabis plants?”
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Choosing the right lighting schedule for your cannabis plants can have a huge impact on the growth, yield, and quality of the product. Many factors play a role in the success of a grow, but lighting schedule is one of the most important.
When it comes to crafting the perfect lighting schedule, there is no “one size fits all” approach. However, there are some basic principles that you should consider when developing your own schedule.
The first step is to determine the size and shape of your grow space – this will have a major impact on the type of lighting you will need, as well as the amount of time you can spend on each cycle. Generally speaking, indoor cannabis grows require a 17-19 hour-on cycle and a 5-7 hour-off cycle in order to maximize the length of the vegetative period. This is known as the “18/6” schedule.
Along with adjusting the on/off cycle to achieve your desired vegetative period, there are also other light intensity settings to consider. These include the color spectrum of your lights, the intensity at each light height, and the peak light intensity. Color spectrum is important because plants utilize different parts of the spectrum during different parts of the growth cycle.
For instance, blue light is most useful during the vegetative stage, while red light is more effective during the flowering stage. Growing cannabis also requires optimum intensity, which will vary depending on the size and shape of your grow space. Generally, the intensity at the plant canopy should be around 15-150 micromol per second, while the intensity at the base of the plant should be around 5-50 micromol per second. Finally, the peak light intensity should be between 500 micromol per second and 1000 micromol per second.
With all these factors in mind, you can begin to create an optimal lighting schedule for your cannabis plants. Start by considering the size and shape of your space, then adjust the light cycle and light intensity settings to achieve the desired vegetation period. From there, you can fine-tune the specifics to achieve healthy and vigorous growth throughout the different stages of your plant’s life cycle.
While there is no definitive “right” lighting schedule for every grow, following these basic principles will help you create one that works best for your space. With the right lighting schedule in place, you can expect to reap the rewards of a successful harvest!