Do Under Canopy Lights Really Help?

[WickedMichelle]

I was thinking about getting this....

Mars Hydro ADlite 100 Under Canopy 100W LED Grow Light

Discover the ADlite 100, a 100W under-canopy LED grow light designed to enhance light penetration and boost plant growth. Ideal for indoor gardening, horticulture, and vertical farming. Energy-efficient, durable, and perfect for every growing stage.

www.mars-hydro.com

I am a little paranoid when it comes to adding additional lights since it was mentioned to me that my additive lights may have caused my seeding on my 1st grow. I know I did not use them correctly but found out too late. My 2nd grow I just used the light that came with my tent and things were fine.

However as photos need light to develop, getting more light below the canopy would help with the bottom buds. At least logically that would make sense.

My concern is that in nature there would not be light under the plant, only above. Do you think the plants genetics would make it react negatively to this difference in nature?

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

I've been thinking about adding under-canopy lights to help ripen lower buds. I don't know if the lights would help during vegetation, though.

 

[WickedMichelle]

I've been thinking about adding under-canopy lights to help ripen lower buds. I don't know if the lights would help during vegetation, though.

Yes, during flower. It sounds logical but I would think it would have to be either the same strength as the top lights ti avoid light stress. Maybe a lower wattage or power level.

 

[amneziaHaze]

considering leafs turn to the light light from the bottom would not be the best idea but maybe a vertical light?
top and bottom of the leaf have different rolls

 

[RootFarmer]

Better off with horizontal bars at about the bottom third of the canopy. Leaves are like solar panels. It probably wouldn't be very effective to mount a solar panel array upside-down, I'm thinking. About the same difference with a light under the plant. Yes?

 

[WickedMichelle]

My concern with vertical lights is the leaves hitting them. I have 4 plants in a 3x3 and they tend to bush out to the walls. Maybe one in each corner but they would have to be short enough to be under the leaves to keep them from hitting the lights and burning.

To me this would do the same thing.

IDK, maybe they are not necessary and I just need to learn to trim better. Strip the under canopy and just focus on the tops. I get a lot of small buds that are basically useless.

 

[HerbalEdu]

under canopy light reduce greatly the gr/w ...

you ll get more using thoose lights to flower another canopy from the top, than giving a little more light to some larf bottom gain will be minimal related to watt used.

 

[amneziaHaze]

My concern with vertical lights is the leaves hitting them. I have 4 plants in a 3x3 and they tend to bush out to the walls. Maybe one in each corner but they would have to be short enough to be under the leaves to keep them from hitting the lights and burning.

To me this would do the same thing.

IDK, maybe they are not necessary and I just need to learn to trim better. Strip the under canopy and just focus on the tops. I get a lot of small buds that are basically useless.

maybe lolipop them.i usually just rip all the lowers in a bag and make cookies later

 

[WickedMichelle]

maybe lolipop them.i usually just rip all the lowers in a bag and make cookies later

trying that.... not sure I am getting it right though. About to start week 4 veg. I will trim the bottoms more before starting the week 4 feeding nutrients and hope for a good stretch. 1 of the 4 plants seems to be a runt of the litter. Not sure how to really handle this except to let it flower smaller with less of a harvest.

As for the trimmings. I need to get some moisture into my jars. They are dry. 45% humidity with humidity packs in them. I used lettuce a few weeks ago and got them moist again but they keep drying. The weed is still potent but the taste seems to have changed a little. Lettuce should not change the flavor so I wonder if my cure went sour. Figure leaves from the plant will give moisture and keep the flavor maybe.....