Gonna put it out there again. Sorry for the deep conversation on lights. I just don’t want to waste money.…..
Has anyone got experience with using the supplemental IR light bars to increase resin/trichomes?
Also are board lights inferior compared to bars? Again this is all about getting the best set of for the best price.
Yes, I run both 730nm IR and 660nm deep red. Here's a write up I did on my experience with using those supplemental spectrums. I've also run 440nm supplemental blues. I definitely notice differences using the supplemental reds and blues ... but when I ran UV I didn't notice any differences. Here's a report I wrote on my experiences.
Advanced Spectrum Manipulation in Cannabis Cultivation - Experimental Report
Executive Summary
This report documents a series of controlled experiments investigating the effects of targeted wavelength supplementation on cannabis plant architecture, yield, and quality characteristics. Through systematic manipulation of specific light spectrums (440nm blue, 660nm red, 730nm far-red), significant control over plant morphology and secondary metabolite production was achieved while maintaining craft-level flower quality.
Experimental Period
Duration: September 1, 2024 - June 4, 2025
Growing Space: 5' x 5' cultivation area
Experimental Runs: 2 completed, 1 planned
Run #1: Initial Red Spectrum Supplementation
Protocol
Supplemental Lighting: 660nm red + 730nm far-red LEDs
Timing: Synchronized with main lighting schedule (standard photoperiod)
Duration: September 2024 - January 2025
Results
Plant Architecture:
Significant stem elongation observed
Increased internode spacing
Quality Characteristics:
Heavy trichome development ("heavily frosted")
Abundant terpene production
Craft-level flower quality achieved
Yield Impact:
Reduced overall yield due to energy allocation toward stem development
Loss of productive flower sites due to excessive stretch
Analysis
The constant supplementation of 660nm and 730nm wavelengths triggered phytochrome-mediated shade avoidance responses, resulting in beneficial stress that enhanced secondary metabolite production while compromising structural efficiency for yield optimization.
Run #2: Advanced Spectrum Timing Protocol
Protocol
Supplemental Wavelengths:
440nm blue
660nm red (increased intensity from Run #1)
730nm far-red (increased intensity from Run #1)
Timing Schedule:
440nm Blue: 18-hour photoperiod throughout vegetative stage and continued through first 14 days of 12/12, then discontinued
660nm Red: 10 minutes pre-light activation, full photoperiod, 10 minutes post-light extension
730nm Far-red: 30 minutes pre-light activation, OFF during main 12-hour photoperiod, 30 minutes post-light extension
Results
Vegetative Growth:
Super lush, healthy plant appearance during vegetative stage
Enhanced vigor from full spectrum supplementation
Robust structural development
Plant Architecture:
Complete elimination of stretch
Extremely compact growth structure
Tight internodal spacing maintained throughout flowering
Quality Characteristics:
Maintained craft-level flower quality
Excellent trichome development
Superior terpene profiles preserved
Yield Performance:
Total Harvest: 3+ pounds from 5' x 5' space
Yield Limitation: Suboptimal canopy coverage due to excessive compaction
Space Utilization: Underutilized growing area potential
Analysis
The extended blue light exposure throughout vegetative growth and into early flowering effectively locked in compact architecture, preventing any stretch response even after discontinuation at day 14 of flower. The full spectrum supplementation during vegetative growth (440nm + 660nm + 730nm) produced exceptionally vigorous and healthy plant development, creating an optimal foundation for flowering. While this solved the elongation issues from Run #1, it overcorrected and limited canopy development needed for maximum space utilization.
Planned Run #3: Optimized Dual-Phase Protocol
Hypothesis
Strategic timing of blue light supplementation can achieve optimal balance between canopy development and quality enhancement by targeting distinct physiological phases of flower development.
Proposed Protocol
Vegetative Stage:
440nm Blue: 18-hour photoperiod alongside main lighting
660nm Red: 18-hour photoperiod alongside main lighting
730nm Far-red: 18-hour photoperiod alongside main lighting
Phase 1: Structural Development (Week 1-3 of 12/12)
440nm Blue: OFF (allowing natural stretch for canopy fill)
660nm Red: 10 minutes pre-light activation, 10 minutes post-light extension
730nm Far-red: 30 minutes pre-light activation, OFF during main 12-hour photoperiod, 30 minutes post-light extension
Main Lighting: 12/12 photoperiod
Phase 2: Flower Maturation (Week 3+ of 12/12)
440nm Blue: Resume 12/12 timing alongside main lighting (quality enhancement focus)
660nm Red: Continue 10 minutes pre-light, 10 minutes post-light timing
730nm Far-red: Continue 30 minutes pre-light, 30 minutes post-light timing
Main Lighting: Continue 12/12 photoperiod
Expected Outcomes
Canopy Development: Adequate stretch in weeks 1-3 for optimal space utilization
Quality Enhancement:Blue light reintroduction during flower development to stimulate:
Enhanced trichome production
Improved terpene synthesis
Increased flower density
- Yield Optimization: Balanced approach targeting both quantity and quality metrics
Key Findings and Principles
Spectrum-Specific Effects Documented
660nm Red:
Primary photosynthetic enhancement
Supports overall plant metabolism
Effective as pre/post photoperiod extension
730nm Far-red:
Controls stretch response via phytochrome system
Timing-dependent effects on plant architecture
Strategic scheduling prevents excessive elongation
440nm Blue:
Powerful compaction tool
Effects persist beyond exposure period
Critical timing for balancing stretch vs. compaction
Potential quality enhancement during flower maturation
Cultivation Philosophy
Light spectrum manipulation serves as a precision tool for "sculpting" plant architecture and metabolic responses. Each wavelength functions as a specific instrument requiring strategic application based on desired outcomes and growth phase requirements.
Prerequisites for Advanced Protocols
Successful implementation of complex spectrum manipulation requires:
Mastery of fundamental growing techniques
Consistent environmental control
Systematic experimental approach
Detailed documentation and analysis
Recommendations for Implementation
For Experienced Growers
Begin with single-wavelength experiments before complex timing protocols
Maintain detailed records of plant responses to timing changes
Consider genetics-specific responses in protocol development
Critical Success Factors
Environmental Stability: Maintain consistent temperature, humidity, and airflow
Baseline Consistency: Ensure all other variables remain constant during experiments
Timing Precision: Use programmable controllers for accurate spectrum scheduling
Documentation: Record morphological changes, quality metrics, and yield data
Future Research Directions
Strain-specific spectrum response profiles
Integration with environmental control systems
Long-term effects on plant stress and resilience
Optimization of spectrum intensity levels
