Have you noticed the buzz about LED grow lights? Everywhere farming and planting is being discussed; the conversation won’t be complete without someone talking about how this grow light has been very helpful.
LED light has helped indoor farming and in making sure we have some fruits and vegetables all year round that were otherwise seasonal. They are so popular that we wouldn’t be surprise when it eventually takes over traditional lighting mechanism.
When you talk about the future of farming technology, LED lights take the lead because they have a lot of benefits over other types of lighting.
But this is not to say that LED light is all positive and no negative. Surely, they have some disadvantages as well, but the good thing is that as the disadvantages are noted, manufacturers are also improving on their lights to make them more efficient to favorably compete with other forms of lighting.
It’s time to check out the many benefits of LED grow lights-
Advantages of using LED grow light
Healthier plants
The UV and IR rays as well as the heat from direct sunlight and other light source can be too hot for your plants. Have you ever noticed that with traditional lighting, your plants are liable to dry up easily and burn if left unattended to? This is why there is always the need to keep supplying such plants with more energy and water to keep it from dying. But with LED grow light, you can always adjust the heat to emit just the right amount of heat without the accompanying harmful wavelength. For example,for some plants you need exactly 1000W grow light and for some others 600W may be sufficient. What you end up with is a healthier plant that is getting the right energy and water.
Fast harvest cycle
There is no doubt that with LED grow light, you can supply your plants with grow lights for up to 24 hours a day. You are the one that tells the plants how to behave. With LED grow lights, you have the freedom to determine if the light the plants get should be that of the day or night. This is a great way to maximize the rate at which your plants can grow.
LED grow lights make it possible to have multiple harvests in one season with auto flowering plants. You will be able to alter or adjust how many times the plants can grow flowers so that your harvest will increase.
Targeted wavelength
Another benefit of LED grow light is that you can regulate and control the light’s wavelength. You don’t have to bother about the plants not getting the right photosynthesis needed for growth because you can do that with your LED grow light. With the traditional light, the yellow and green wavelengths are usually emitted and too much of this can cause the plants to turn yellow or weaken. But this is not so with LED grow lights because they provide the plants with just the right amount of light spectrum needed. So, there is no room for energy waste.
Environment friendly
You can recycle LED grow lights and they do not have mercury or other toxic substances that you find in HID lights. Just make sure the LED grow light you are going for is certified by a legitimate body in your country.
Enhanced lifespan/cost saving
You get over 50,000 hours with LED grow light which is more than what you get with your traditional lighting. The reason is that LED grow lights use very little temperature to work. With your usual lighting, you get a lot of heat causing them to burn out faster. But with LED grow lights, you get to keep growing your plants for years without worrying about replacement of the lights. You ultimately save money in the end.
Energy saving
LED grow lights consume lesser energy than traditional lighting and yet, they offer the same amount of light. LED diode doesn’t need to burn anything to be able to produce light. So, you save money on energy in the process.
Cooler operating temperature
LED grow lights don’t emit as much heat like traditional lights. With HID lights, the temperature could get as high as 400 degrees or more. You don’t have to worry about LED grow lights affecting your grow room or greenhouse operating temperature.
Full spectrum
LED grow light offers full spectrum light that is balanced so that your plants get the right amount of light needed. As with many fixtures, you get to turn off or adjust the wavelengths for your plants.
Disadvantages of using LED grow light
Most things in life that have advantages also have disadvantages. And we are about to discover that of LED grow lights.
Costly
It’s cheaper to get fluorescent or HID lights than a good quality LED grow light. Some LED grow lights cost a little lower than $100 while others cost much more than that.
Direct light
The light from LED grow lights is more direct on the plants like when you flash light on the plants. You only get to cover a smaller area than you would with traditional lighting systems. But there are new LED lights that are made to cover more than what was originally obtainable.
Sensitive to heat
LED grow lights are affected by heat and high temperatures. And when this happens, the diodes may not last as they should which will also affect the amount of light they produce for the plants. Choose a LED light that has a good fan and sink system.
Prone to cause blindness
LED grow lights have blue lights and other colors that are very bright and when exposed to it for a long time, it could result in blindness.
Less effective with age
As your LED grow light ages, the diodes may not produce same amount of light. But a good quality LED grow light will not have this issue.
Since the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, I’d say that LED grow lights are still the way to go!