All 6500K CFL, or some 3000K for Veg?

sherriberry

New Member
im very positive on this answer....

if you have all bulbs that are 6500 for veging, great...

but it WILL be better if you have at least 1 that covers the other colors (reds and yellows)

Lets face it, plants grow in sunlight... all colors.

If there is a chemical in the plants leaf (and there might be a very small amount of it) but if there is a chemical in the plants leaf that CAN UTILIZE the lower spectrum colors... then why not give that chemical something to do?

If its not going to break the bank to add another bulb of the different color temp, ADD IT.

I have seen where a MH and an HPS are next to eachother, on the same light cycle for veging...

And the plants between the 2 lights, are by far the healthiest.

And the lights arent right next to eachtoher. Theres about a 12 ft gap between them.... so its not that the plants in between are getting more light... just more colors of light.

Yes I agree the plant uses MORE blue light during veg...

But no where can anyone prove to me that it CANT USE the red and yellow light as well.

Hope this helps.
 
Does this help Sherriberry?
http://www.sunmastergrowlamps.com/SunmLightandPlants.html

It has some charts that explain how plants actually respond better to red (I'd say orange, but that's just me) for the photosynthetic processes and whatnot.

The following is a quote I found concerning blue light.
Plants photosynthesize nutrients for growth using a green substance in their cells called chlorophyll. Most types of chlorophyll can use the blue spectrum of light more efficiently than the red and far red spectrums of light. More of the blue end causes the cells to be elongated, changing the growth pattern of the overall http://www.ehow.com/about_5348313_do-grow-better-blue-light.html# to a more compact size with the nodes closer together. This maximizes the space used and light available for each leaf in the growing area.
In "light" of all that (excuse the pun), it seems this way to me.

Using your "blue" lights, will cause them to grow, though perhaps not quite as vigorously...which is probably why some people like HPS all the way through. However, that blue light alters cell structure in a way that makes the plants shorter and stockier...which is usually more desirable than a tall lanky plant.

The red light is the most absorbed, best for chlorophyll...and HPS are actually more intense than MH anyway...so the plant is really getting a lot "more" light energy overall. This also explains greater yields with HPS than other light sources...most powerful light + most absorbed spectrum.

Don't forget though...blue light plays some important roles in the development of more potent bud. That is, of course, according to Ed Rosenthal in an article posted in Cannabis Culture...I can dig up the link if needed but I assume its one most people know already.



So, to sum up...I like a mixed range of red and blue. Overall you're going to get the best of both worlds.
 

samljer

Well-Known Member
Hey all

I recently did some research, consulted my botany texts, and found out about 'weins' law.

Check it out:


"there IS a relationship between a colour temperature and the peak wavelength in its spectrum. It's called Wien's law.

Wavelength (nanometers) = 3,000,000 / Col temp (Kelvin).

So at 4,500K, the peak wavelength is 666nm (red) at 6,000K the peak wavelength is 500nm (bluish green) and at 7,500K the peak wavelength is 400nm (deep blue)"



Ok, given 'weins law', and knowing the wavelengths that chlorophyll A and B function at, we can figure out the best color bulb to use

Chlorophyll A: absorption peaks at ~440 nanometers (blue) and ~660 (red)
440 nanometers = 3,000,000 / 6,818K
660 nanometers = 3,000,000 / 4,545K

Chlorophyll B: absortion peaks at ~470 nanometers (blue) and ~640 (red)
470 nanometers = 3,000,000 / 6,382K
640 nanometers = 3,000,000 / 4,687K



Now...I have supplied us with the most useful kelvin values for chlorophyll A and B, but as for what is needed in vegging vs flower I cannot yet attest to. I've always heard blue for veg red for flower, and it seems to work for everyone, so I dont doubt it.

The only place i'm seeing a departure from popular wisdom is the kelvin values for the red, flowering light. 2700 is way off from the red absorption peak, the best value we can look for is ~4,600K (or so these numbers are telling me).

I'm planning on 4 or 5 105watt CFL's @ 6500K for veg, then switch them all to 105watt CFL's @ 4100 (or possibly 5000K, i'm still deciding) for flowering.

Your actually 100% correct. Im not sure where 2700-3000 comes from but its been going on for decades.

Shooting for 4000 however will give u way better results, ive compared the two using a NL#5 from the same mother (clones)
the 4000(4100 actually i used)
Grew a thicker and faster.

Too much red promotes stem, you need that blue balance to grow anything to do with flowers/leaves.

People dont even realize that you can even flower with 6500.
Theres no need to really change
Idealy though What im considering is 5000k for entire growth.
Best of everything in that area.

Another thing people dont realize is the blue in 3000 is the same blue in 6500. just less of it there.
there isnt a total absense of blue untill 1800. or a total absense of reds untill 8000+

Basically means anything in between 1800 and 7200 has the blue AND the red you need. just in different quantity. thus affecting growth in a massive way

Having a 2700 mixed with a 6500
is what people have the most success with.
and they dont realize is because
the spectrum of those 2 mixed is actually 4600k .... <---- fact not fiction

Best thing to do is just put in 2 lights of 4500.
 

Steveofosho

Member
I would use a mix of bulbs-Mostly 6500k but adding a bulb or two that are 2700k will help cover the light spectrum which will help your plants
 
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