One consideration in setting up an indoor grow space, such as a grow tent, is the number of lights you need, and with LED Grow Lights as the way to go in indoor growing, it’s essential to know the capacity of an LED fixture for you to maximize its potential.
With LEDs being more efficient than the traditional HPS, you can’t use the same rules in setting up an indoor space using the former, as this can damage your plants. That said, how many watts per plant do you need for LED Grow Lights?
And the answer: it depends.
Factors That Affect LED Choice
There are two factors that you need to consider when choosing the wattage of the LED Grow Lights.The first would be the plant you’re growing, and the second would be the total area of your grow space.
Type of Plant
Plants have different lighting needs, which is why you need to know how much light a plant needs. As a rule of thumb, the higher the wattage, the more intense the light is. Leafy plants and herbs usually need lower wattages. Fruit and flowering plants like tomatoes and cannabis need higher wattages. The amount of power you need for leafy plants would often be half of what a flower-bearing plant needs.
Total Area of Grow
When it comes to the total grow space area, this pertains to how much space your plants cover and not the footprint of your space. That will help you also decide how much wattage you need for every plant.
Different growing techniques are a consideration in the total area of growth. And while that affects wattage, you can’t just split the light to get the right amount of power. Instead, you can use that light in a position that can help benefit multiple plants.
So, how much do you need per plant per area?
Thirty-two watts of power should be enough for every square foot as a rule of thumb. You can go a bit low to 30, but don’t go beyond 40 per square foot. So how good is a 32-watt LED?
Let’s take the Screen of Green technique as an example. A Screen of Green needs about 0.25 square feet of grow space. With a 32-watt LED grow light, you can provide enough lighting for four plants. For a Sea of Green, the same 32-watt grow light can provide lighting for one plant.
On the other hand, 32-watts of power won’t be enough for a low-stress training, which occupies at least two square feet of grow space.
As you can see, you can use a grow light for multiple plants. But take note that it’s not ideal to do so all the time. For one, the lighting coverage on the outer part of the light’s footprint isn’t as beneficial as being close to the center. And while you can cram plants under a grow light, the results won’t be as helpful.
Sounds simple? There are some considerations to consider with the grow space and wattage.
Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR)
Image courtesy of migrolight.com
PAR, or photosynthetically active radiation, is just as important to know when deciding how much lighting you need to grow your plants. PAR measures the intensity you need to grow your plants. To give you an idea, leafy plants need around a PAR of 200, while fruit-bearing plants would thrive between 400 – 500, depending on the plant.
Knowing how much PAR a grow light has will affect how a plant grows. If the PAR is too low, your plant will have a hard time growing and will likely have stunted growth. Too intense lights, meanwhile, can burn your plants. That’s why LED grow lights need to be set at an optimal height, even with the lower heat emission.
Wrapping Up
Setting up LED grow lights in your indoor space need not be complicated. As long as you know the capacity of your grow lights, you can maximize the potential of your fixture, as well as your plants.With the proper settings, your plants can thrive to their fullest while operating at lower costs.
I'm an experienced enthusiast with in-depth knowledge of indoor growing and LED grow lights. My expertise is backed by hands-on experience, extensive research, and a deep understanding of the factors influencing successful cultivation.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article about setting up an indoor grow space with LED grow lights:
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LED Grow Lights Efficiency: The article rightly emphasizes the importance of using LED grow lights over traditional HPS lights for indoor growing due to their higher efficiency. LED lights are more energy-efficient and emit less heat, making them suitable for various plants.
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Watts per Plant for LED Grow Lights: The article raises the question of how many watts per plant are needed for LED grow lights. The answer depends on two crucial factors:
a. Type of Plant: Different plants have varying lighting needs. Leafy plants and herbs generally require lower wattages, while fruit and flowering plants, like tomatoes and cannabis, need higher wattages. This aligns with the rule of thumb that the higher the wattage, the more intense the light.
b. Total Area of Grow: The total area of the grow space is a critical consideration. The article suggests a rule of thumb of 32 watts per square foot, with variations between 30 and 40 watts. This ensures adequate lighting for the plants, taking into account different growing techniques and optimizing light placement for multiple plants.
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Growing Techniques and Wattage: The article briefly touches upon various growing techniques, such as the Screen of Green technique, Sea of Green, and low-stress training. It highlights how a 32-watt LED grow light can be used effectively for multiple plants, but cautions against overcrowding to maintain optimal lighting coverage.
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Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR): The concept of Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is crucial for determining the intensity of light required for plant growth. Different plants have specific PAR requirements, with leafy plants needing around 200 PAR and fruit-bearing plants thriving between 400 and 500 PAR. Maintaining the right PAR level is essential to prevent stunted growth or plant burn.
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Optimal Height and Heat Emission: The article stresses the importance of setting LED grow lights at an optimal height to ensure the right PAR levels. LED lights have lower heat emission compared to traditional lights, but proper placement is still crucial to avoid any negative impact on plant growth.
In conclusion, the key takeaway is that setting up LED grow lights involves a careful consideration of plant types, grow space area, wattage, and PAR levels. With the right knowledge and settings, growers can maximize the potential of their fixtures and promote healthy plant growth while keeping costs lower.
