Different kinds of stoners have different kinds of preferences about how they get their weed – following the legalization across several regions, while some like to buy it off the stores, there are others who actually prefer growing their own weed themselves from scratch! This gives them the added joy of knowing that they are a ‘grower’ and that they consume the best weed, carefully grown and nurtured by themselves for their own consumption. In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the best grow lights for seedlings – which helps the marijuana growers grow their weed well in a very early stage.
Right from when it is a seed to the moment it becomes a fully flowering plant where the buds grow, are plucked – and become smokable, growing weed is a complex and delicate task which requires a lot of effort and constant monitoring. Before we delve deeper into the seedlings and why light is important for them – it is essential for us to know the various stages of growth. There are basically four main stages of growth – The germination stage, the seedling stage, the vegetative stage and the flowering stage. Let us now try and understand the relationship between light and marijuana growth, i.e., why is light important for the growth of the cannabis plant.
Understanding the Relationship Between Light and Marijuana Growth: Why is Light Important?
When it comes to growing weed, there are two broad options – indoors and outdoors. Growing it outdoors basically means you grow it in the natural air, light and heat. However, you do not have control over these factors that exist in nature. Growing your weed indoors gives you a greater control over it and allows you to easily control all these factors. Light and heat both come from the Sun, and while sometimes there might be clouds, snow or rain, when growing indoors you face none of these problems.
Grow Lights are particularly important while growing weed indoors because they provide you with both – the light as well as the heat. While you cannot control the amount of sunlight that you get naturally, grow lights allow you to regulate the light and the heat thereby ensuring it that you can provide your plants with the optimum amount of both these artificially created sources of growth.
Understanding the Importance of Grow Light for Seedlings
Now that you know what role light plays in the growth of the cannabis plant, let us now specifically look at the seedling stage and why grow lights are of importance to seedlings. While natural light is around for a limited time, you can provide your plants with a grow light which can be kept closer to the plants as well as helps provide them with an optimal level of heat as well. This ensures a rapid and healthy growth. What is important here is, this is especially beneficial if you are planning to grow multiple seedlings at the same time. This helps ensure that all your seedlings get an equal exposure to light.
Moreover, you get a great deal of control here. You can decide how near or far you want to keep the lights to your plants, or what are the times that you want to keep the lights off. One must also know that while heat and light are necessary, you can’t have them shining on the plants at all times – which might result in an overkill! Plants need some dark hours too, as it helps them recover from all the activity they’ve had during the light-hours. Under perfect natural circumstances this is perfectly balanced. However, with grow lights, you can simulate a near-perfect environment when the weather outside isn’t so good with regards to light and heat.
Types of Grow Lights for Seedlings
Let us now take a closer look at what are the different types of grow lights that you can make use of to grow your seedlings into mature and healthy plants! These are the types of grow lights:
- Fluorescent Grow Lights – These type of grow lights are very popular and can be used on seedlings as well as plants. These lights are not as hot as certain other lights, which basically means your plants won’t be at a risk of over-exposure to heat. In addition to that, these lights, normally, are calibrated by diameter with ‘T’ being representative of 1/8th of an inch – basically, this means that T5 lights are lights which offer a diameter of 5/8th of an inch.
- HID (High-Intensity Discharge) Grow Lights – These grow lights are also very popular and they feature a large bulb and are usually the brightest of grow lights as they can emit up to 800 watts of light. For those wondering how these lights work, there are dual-tungsten electrodes inside them and an arc of electric current is created between the two, which ignites the gas in the bulb. However, you need to be careful when operating an HID grow light because over-exposure to these lights might just burn your crops!
- HPS (High-Pressure Sodium) Grow Lights – These are a type of HID grow lights but the main difference between a basic HID light and an HPS Grow Light is that these lights have more of the red spectrum, which means they are great for the flowering stage but aren’t an ideal choice for your plant when it is still at a seedling stage.
- Metal Halides – Metal Halides are also HID Grow Lights but are the exact opposite of what an HPS system is. These lights offer more of the blue spectrum and are a great choice for growing your cannabis plants during the seedling phase!
- LED Grow Lights: These are the latest kinds of lights that are popularly in use. They are much more energy-efficient than compared to the traditional lights and work at cooler temperatures than compared to HID lights which means these are great for growth as they do not impact the plants negatively. While they are a little costlier compared to most other types of lights, LED Grow Lights actually last longer and are a safer bet for long-term users.
Best Grow Lights for Seedlings 2019
Now that we know what the different kinds of grow lights are, let us take a closer look at the best grow lights for seedlings. Here, the focus will be on the seedling growth stage and not on the germination or flowering stage! Each stage requires special attention and the following list of grow lights has been carefully curated after looking at the needs of the growers specifically during the seedling stage of the cannabis plant.
1. ACKE Full 12W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
- FULL SPECTRUM LED GROW LIGHTS--Red 630nm and 660nm, Blue:460nm and White light 2700K. - Suitable for all stages of growth,Specially suitable for seedlings'...
- LOW HEAT OUTPUT--Don't worry even close the lamp to your tender flowers and do not burn them.
When it comes to growing marijuana indoors, there’s perhaps no stage that you need to focus on more than the seedling phase. This is a make-or-break phase for your plant and you need to provide extra care here. The ACKE Full Spectrum LED Grow Light is exactly what you need! The lamp of this grow light comes with a full spectrum of lights, which includes shades of Red, Blue and White light. For those wondering, the exact specifics are: Red 630nm and 660nm, Blue:460nm and White light 2700K. This is the spectrum which ensures the maximum production of chlorophyll A and B.
One great thing about this grow light is that the heat output is quite low. This means that the seedlings remain protected from excessive heat because this is a time where the plant requires great care and nourishment and overexposure to heat can burn it! This ACKE lamp ensures that this does not happen and your cannabis plant gets adequate heat and light. Another advantage of buying this grow light for your seedlings is that it is waterproof! Watering the plants won’t be a hassle anymore as you can easily water them while the lights are on because you don’t have to worry about damaging the lights due to water.
They are easy to install and come with a US Plug support, making it great to work with. It comes with a 6.5 ft cable which allows you to easily move your light around. The outer casing is made of aluminum and the glass is pretty strong too. The projecting angle of the lights can also be easily adjusted as per your needs. The coverage area of this light varies on how you place it. It goes from 1x1ft to 2x4ft and it should ideally be placed at a 24″ Height. This light offers you an average lifespan of 50000h of light and comes with a 1 year warranty.
Pros
- Do not emit too much heat; your plants are safe from damage
- Angle can be easily adjusted
- Full Spectrum lights – perfect for indoor growth of marijuana
Cons
- You can’t run a timer with this light
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2. Growstar 45W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
- · Advanced 45W Grow Panel: Black Friday Cyber Monday. 225pcs high quality super bright LEDs with 60 degree reflector cup. Compared with old version, this grow...
- · Professional Full Spectrum: Different from the old 45W LED plant light(only Red and Blue), this plant lamp adds with Red,Blue,UV,IR and White, which is...
Another great option for those looking for an LED Grow light for their seedlings, the GrowStar Full Spectrum LED grow light offers 225 pieces of LED lights which includes Red 620nm, Red 660nm, Blue 460nm, White 6500k, as well as UV 400nm and IR 740nm lights. The blue, white and UV lights are of particular use during the seedling and the growth phase of your plant. The reds and the IR lights would help you with the other stages of the plant when it begins to mature so this is a great all-round solution for your growing needs!
This panel is meant to be hung over the crops and is hence ultra-thin and measures only 0.4 inches – almost the thickness of an iPad! It is only 2lbs in weight and comes with a 12.6 inch steel wire and hooks using which you can easily hang it over your cannabis plants! It works on a US Power cord and also comes with an AC Power cable with an on-off switch for your convenience. At an ideal usage, this light can last you for about 50,000 hours and it also comes with a one-year warranty period.
This is a 45W grow light and the company claims that this is like having “a small sun in your home”. The recommended lighting hours of this grow light are between 12 to 18 hours based on your location’s regular day/night cycle. Since this is specifically for the seedling stage, we strongly recommend you to hang the light about 36 to 40 inches above the plant. The heat that comes from this grow light won’t harm your plants but you must make sure that your plants are at a considerable distance from the light during the seedling phase. Some users have complained that the device does get a little too hot from the back side. All in all, they are among the best grow lights for seedlings! You should totally check them out if your plants are about to enter the seedling stage.
Pros
- Strong clip, rotatable lights
- Light bulbs are standard US size, and are quite bright and can be replaced if needed with ease
- Not too hot so it doesn’t damage the plants
Cons
- No support for timers
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3. T5 Grow Light DL844s Ho Fluorescent Hydroponic Fixture
- HIGH LIGHT OUTPUT: 20000 Lumen, Professional Grow Lighting System, 95% Reflectivity German Hammer-tone Reflector. 30% more light output vs comparable systems
- ALL ACCESSORIES INCLUDED: Qty4 6500K 4ft Lamps, Hanging hooks and chains, 8 FT Power cord
This is an ideal grow light for those who are in need of a high light output. Unlike others above this which are a single-unit offering, this is a complete growing kit from DuroLux as it comes with 4 6500K Lamps of 4ft along with hanging hooks and chains – which makes it easy for you to set it up and it also comes along with a really long 8 ft power cord which means you can move it around by quite a bit! It comes with layers of bulbs on the inner and outer edges and comes with switches to control them. Depending on how much light you want focused on your plants, you can either have the inner lights on and outer lights off, or both of them on! You can choose the kind of light output you want for your plant.
This has a little higher power-requirement compared to your usual grow lights. This is also safe to use in a somewhat wet or damp environment if the need may arise. This product has been tested and rated for a safe operation in a wet area. It draws a little more power, about 230W at an average. This is a great choice for those who have a larger growing area as not only do each of these units cover a large area, but you can also get more of these grow lights and daisy chain them to each other so that they cover a really broad area!
Each of these units can last up to 50,000 hours of ideal operation. It comes with a 5-year warranty, which is really great for a grow light. It offers a high light output at 20,000 lumens but you might need to adjust that depending on what state of growth your plant is in. This is great for the seedling stage but can also be used for stages that follow it by adjusting the height and the intensity of the light.
Pros
- Comes with a complete setup
- High light output
- Can be switched to get 0, 2 or 4 lamps functioning at the same time
Cons
- Some users found it a little too complex to set up
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4. IPower 1000 Watt HPS MH Digital Dimmable Grow Light
Another great option for those who are looking to buy a grow light for their seedlings which is adjustable in terms of the brightness. This light, too, comes in an entire kit – and is one of the best rated products on Amazon if you are looking for a grow light kit. Moreover, it fixes one major problem that many of the aforementioned products do not have – the iPower 1000 Watt HPS MH Digital grow light comes with a timer. This setup offers 1 x 1000W super HPS bulb 2100K; and 1 x 1000W MH bulb 6000K. It has a high PAR score which means it is great for the growth of a plant.
It comes with an 8 ft power cord along with an 8 ft cable which you can use to hang the light. Moreover, to ensure that maximum possible area is covered, this grow light kit comes with a 6-inch Cool Tube Reflector (made of German Aluminum) along with XL Wings, which grants a large light coverage of up to 5′ x 5′. The device supports an input of 120 V to 140 V and similar to the T5 Grow Light above, you can dim the light to 75%, 50%, or even 0%.
This is indeed a grower’s dream! If you are looking forward to grow cannabis, this is something that you’ve got to own. It offers a flicker-free lighting support and also offers a plug-in mechanical timer. The inclusion of timer basically means that you can set it all up and head out without worrying that your crops are going to get damaged if you are not there to turn off the lights on time. You just need to take care of one thing when you use this – this produces a lot of heat and hence it should be used for lesser hours. Moreover, given the high heat it produces, it is strongly recommended that you use it only in well-ventilated places. There are also holes on the unit which allow you to hook an inline fan.
It draws an average power of 1000 Watts, and offers a lot of light so it isn’t recommended to be used for more than 8 to 12 hours a day. It should be hung 16-32” away from your plants but you can adjust that based on the height. The entire unit comes with a 2 year warranty and its total lifespan is 24,000 hours – while it appears less on paper, the fact is that this offers much more light and has to be used for lesser hours compared to other grow lights, which makes it a great option for you!
Pros
- Great for experienced users
- Comes with the complete kit along with timer and reflector setup
- Great for your marijuana plant’s seedling phase
Cons
- Too much heat; air ventilation is a must
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5. JCBritw 100W Hanging LED Grow Light Kit
- [FULL SPECTRUM] JCBritw 100W Pro plant lights provide exclusive full spectrum contains 390-400nm, 460-470nm, 600-610nm, 620-630nm, 650-660nm, 730-740nm,...
- [EFFECTIVE] Equal to traditional 300 watt HPS/MH while only consuming 36watts. Save you electric bill a lot. Scientifically engineered to keep balance of...
Another great option for those looking forward to use a grow light for their seedlings, the JCBritw LED Grow Light is actually a complete 2-ft panel which you can use to grow your plants indoors! There are two options in this which you can choose based on what you want – you can either choose a full-spectrum setup or just the reds and blues. The full-spectrum units supports multiple wave bands: 390-400nm, 460-470nm, 600-610nm, 620-630nm, 650-660nm, 730-740nm, 3000-3500K, 6000-6500K. All of these are essential for the growth of your seedlings. This wide spectrum ensures that it actually emulates sunlight, which has a mix of all these wavebands.
What is really great about this grow light is that it is almost equal to a traditional 300 watt HPS/MH but in reality, it only consumes 36watts! This helps you save on the electric bills by quite a margin and this is one of the best grow lights for those looking for an economic and affordable solution. Another great feature of this grow light is that it supports fast heat dissipation, thanks to its aluminum alloy frame. Thanks to this heat dissipation service, the LED lights last for longer as they do not overheat.
At the bottom of the panel, there’s a PC cover that ensures that the lights are protected and mosquitos, dust, and other elements do not affect the LED performance. Thanks to the 60-degree reflector cups that it comes with, it allows for a greater surface area and the angles can be adjusted. When using these lights, it requires an 8-hour darkness period at the least. It is recommended that you use them for about 8 to 16 hours a day depending on the stage of growth that your plant is at. The lifespan of this light is 50,000 hours and it comes with a 1-year warranty period.
This panel supports timers but does not come with one and you’ll need to purchase that separately. The manufacturer also advises the users to wear UV glasses while working with these lights. It comes with a two pack hanging clips and a wire rope which makes it easy to set up and easy to hang. This is indeed a great option for those looking for a grow light for their marijuana plants at a seedling stage.
Pros
- Great when it comes to heat – your plants are totally safe from any sort of overexposure of heat
- Very bright, increases yields
- Easy to set up
- Offers a wide spectrum – a great replacement for natural sunlight
Cons
- Good for small plants only
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How to Choose the Best Grow Light for Seedlings?
Now that you know which are some of the best options for you when it comes to buying a grow light for seedlings, let us take a closer look at which are the factors that come into play – i.e. things that you must keep in mind before you buy a grow light for your marijuana seedlings.
- Size
The size of the light matters – if you are growing in a small setup, you don’t need really large lights. However, if you are a bulk grower, you might want to take a look at lights which are bigger – and perhaps even grow lights for seedlings that support daisy-chaining. Daisy-chaining is a technique that allows you to plug one light on to another and they all share the same power source – allowing you to cover a much larger area. You also need to move the grow light up and down to see if it covers the appropriate area when moved away or closer to the seedling.
- Light Spectrum
Different phases of growth require different light spectrums. When growing a marijuana/cannabis seedling, it is strongly advised that you go for a balanced spectrum of lights which offers all sorts of wavelengths because that is how the natural light of the sun is best emulated inside an indoor setting.
- Type of Light
You also need to take a look at the type of the light because a lot of it depends upon that too! You might want to consider checking out LED lights for the purpose of growing your seedlings because they are generally considered the best.
- Price
Last but not the least, price matters! It is essential for you to know the right price for your seedling – if you are growing a small quantity of seedlings you probably don’t require a large or an expensive setup. Especially if you are a first-time grower, you might want to start off with something that is cheaper. Price doesn’t only include the marked price of the unit that you purchase but also the overall price that you end up paying for growing your seedling – this includes electricity cost also. Make sure you buy cost-effective devices when it comes to electricity consumption as well.
Grow Light for Seedlings: Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Finally, here are some of the most commonly asked questions that you must take a look at if you are planning to buy a grow light for your weed plants. These questions are answered keeping the needs of a cannabis seedling in mind. Here we go:
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When is a Good Time to Put Your Seedlings Under Grow Lights?
The simplest answer to this question is – as soon as possible! The moment you realize your germination phase is over and the seedling stage has begun, put them under grow lights! The moment your seeds start to sprout is the right time to have them put under grow lights. Getting it done on time ensures that there is no stunted growth and your seedlings’ sprout grows towards the direction of the light – just like it would respond naturally to the earth’s yellow sun.
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Which is the best color of lights?
For understanding this, you need to understand the basic concept of ‘light’. Light, basically, is composed of wavelengths of various color but we usually think it to be yellow or red. However, a closer look at the various wavelengths tells you that you require lights of warm as well as cooler wavelength to ensure a good growth of your seedlings. Hence, the best grow light for seedlings always has red and blue lights (at the least). While a full spectrum grow light is recommended, having red and blue lights are your minimum requirement.
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How long do you need to keep the grow lights on?
One of the biggest myths that you could believe in is the fact that – the more the light the better the growth. This is an absolute lie and something that should NEVER be practiced for a healthy growth. In fact, this is actually counter-productive. Light is good, but too much of light can be damaging for your plant and you need to know when to stop. Depending on what you are growing, you need to expose almost any seedling to a minimum of 8 hours of light – and a minimum of 6 hours of darkness. However, for growing marijuana seedlings, we recommend you check how long the sun is out on an ideal summer day and switch the lights on according to that from sunrise to sunset and switch them off from sunset to sunrise.
Conclusion
We hope this article helped you make the perfect selection for your seedlings! With this knowledge, you can now go out there and choose which is the best grow light for your seedling! You can also buy the desired grow light from this very article by selecting the aforementioned products or you can carry out a research of your own based on the factors that you should keep in mind and the FAQs that have been answered for you!
Smoking the weed that you have grown yourself is quite a feeling! We know that you want to grow it with all the care and love in the world – we hope this article helped! Happy Smoking.
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