After a recent conversation with a customer about the risk of UV lighting in the grow room, we became intrigued about the full spectrum of UV light. Do plants need UV light to thrive? Is exposure to UV lights harmful? And crucially for us at Happy Hydro, can you protect your eyes from UV rays in the grow room?
What we quickly discovered in our research was that the available information sprawling across the internet is that many sources aren’t as clear-cut as we had hoped.
It took us a while to get the information we needed, from a variety of sources. Its why we’ve put together the following guide, the truth about UV lights for you and your plants. A full spectrum LED grow light most suit for your plant growth.
What is UV Light?
Ultraviolet light, or UV light, is part of the rainbow, just not the visible part. We measure light by its wavelength, a measurement known as a nanometer (nm). The visible spectrum of light falls between 400 nm to 700 nm. Just outside the violet end of the spectrum begins the ultraviolet category, with a wavelength from 10 nm to 400 nm. While the human eye can’t pick up these waves lengths, but many other creatures, including plants, use it to survive.
When it comes to cannabis, harnessing some UV light may even improve your harvest.
How Does UV Increase Photosynthesis and Growth?
You may be wondering, “How can UV-A increase plant growth when it isn’t very photosynthetically active?” The magic of UV-A isn’t in how much it is photosynthetically active (though to a respectable degree it is for much of the UV-A spectrum and is well absorbed by chlorophyll a and carotenoids). What’s most important is what it triggers in your plants.
UV Tells Your Plants to Change Growth Pattern, Chemistry, and Transpiration
Light isn’t just energy for plants; it’s also information. Plants have evolved quite incredible ways of “seeing” what is around them so they can adjust their growth to optimize energy capture. The number one thing that plants need to “see” is other plants. If another plant is above or to the side of them, they can adjust the number, size, and distribution of leaves; the chemistry of its leaves; and where new growth should occur. All this allows it to capture the greatest amount of light despite this competitor.
We are talking about more than just determining what direction has the brightest light; it’s also about determining what wavelengths of light are present and where. When light passes through or off of a plant, UV, blue, and red light are heavily filtered and green and infrared are left behind. Therefore, a plant knows they are in direct or bright sunlight when there is high levels of UV, blue, and red. The reverse is also true – if there is low levels of UV/blue/red and high levels of green and infrared then the plant will think it is being shaded. The most common reaction to a plant thinking it is being shaded is to extend its stems significantly and stretch out. If this reaction takes place and the plant isn’t being blocked (like in a grow room with high green and infrared) this wastes energy and reduces yield.
UV-A along with blue triggers a number of photoreceptors (molecules that detect light and send signals to the plant). Those currently identified include crytochrome, phototropin, ZTL/FKF1/LKP2, and to a lesser extent phytochrome. These photoreceptors trigger a number of changes, including increasing chlorophyll production, creating larger leaves that capture more light, and opening the stomata on leaves letting in more carbon dioxide.
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UV Makes Your Plants Glow
UV can make your plants glow and it’s that glow that can increase the efficiency of photosynthesis. Just like under a black light (which, of course, emits UV) phenolic compounds in the leaf fluoresce (albeit imperceptibly to the human eye). This blue-green emitted light then subsequently drives photosynthesis elsewhere in the leaf.
How Much UV Light Do Plants Need?
Before you go and buy an industrial UV lamp for your plants, understand that their requirements for UV light are super low. Less is more in this instance.
You can get great results with just 2-3 watts of UV light per square foot of growing space. This means for a 4'x4' tent, for example, you would be just fine with around 32-48 watts of UV lighting to yield the benefits.
Growers Need To Stay Safe While Using UV Light
While the UV light may not be harmful for your plants, necessarily, it can be for you.
In some instances, artificial UV can be more damaging to your skin than the sun, because you are in closer quarters to it.
So, make sure you take measures to care for your eyes by wearing protective eyewear around your UV lights.
We also recommend wearing sleeves if you are going to be working around your lights.
When Should You Give Plants UV Light?
There has been some talk about when using UV light is actually effective. Some growers say you shouldn't use it during veg, as it won't contribute much and will just be a waste of money.
A common theme we hear is "don't invest in the veg, invest in the flower". But, if you don't invest in the veg, how is your plant going to be capable of producing a frutiful harvest?
That's why we recommend using UV lighting full cycle if you can - from seed to harvest. By giving UV light to your plants during propagation & early veg, they will develop thicker cuticles, faster metabolism, and just be overall stronger and healthier.
There is no question that all of this adds up to a plant that can yield heavier, and more potent. So, rather than adding in high doses of UV light at key points, we recommend using low doses of UV light over the entire life. This is safer, and more effective.
Final thoughts
What is the best UV spectrum for growing cannabis? When it comes to the full UV light spectrum, its best to stick with UV-A and UV-B varieties for your plants. As mentioned, there is no benefit of direct UV-C exposure to yourself or to your crop (although UV-C may help sterilize your grow room). If you are considering using the UV-C technique to disinfect your workspace, consider safer organic alternatives to pest control, including as integrated pest management (IPM) techniques.
Depending on the species of plant you intend to grow, there will also be a precise formula for just how much UV light you’ll need, and when you should introduce it. In some cases, UV light over prolonged periods has stunted growth. In other cases, it can enhance valuable characteristics of your crop. For example, for growing cannabis, you’ll only want to introduce UV light during the final few weeks of flower, to boost trichome development, but constant UV lighting for leafy greens tends to stunt their development. Best UV LED Grow Light can help you more.
The health benefits of juicing leafy greens are enormous, but that doesn't mean that it is easy.
Some of the leafy greens like spinach and kale can be difficult to juice.
If you're struggling, you're not alone.
The best way to juice these leafy greens is to use a slow juicer to get the most amount of juice and vitamins.Here are the top 10 best juicers for leafy greens:
Indoor farming technology is a method of growing crops and plants inside the house using different technologies.
This method includes growing system such as soil-based, aeroponics, aquaponics and hybrid technologies to provide artificial lights for growing plants with the higher nutrients.
Indoor farming technology can be used in home and commercially on small as well as large scales.Indoor farming technology market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% in the forecast period of 2020 to 2027.
Data Bridge Market Research report on indoor farming technology market provides analysis and insights regarding the various factors expected to be prevalent throughout the forecasted period while providing their impacts on the market’s growth.The competitive analysis of the major market players studied in the Indoor Farming Technology Market report, assists businesses take better moves for improving their product and sales.
This Indoor Farming Technology Market market report delivers the company profiles, product specifications, capacity, production value, and market shares of each company for the forecasted period of 2020-2027.
All statistical and numerical information given in the Indoor Farming Technology Market report is symbolized with the help of graphs and charts which facilitates the understanding of facts and figures.Get Sample Report + All Related Images and Graphs @ https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/request-a-sample/?dbmr=global-indoor-farming-technology-marketMarket Drivers and Restraints:On the basis of growing system, indoor farming technology market is segmented into aeroponics, hydroponics, aquaponics, soil-based and hybrid.Based on facility type, indoor farming technology market is segmented into glass or poly greenhouses, indoor vertical farms, container farms and indoor deep water culture (DWC) systems.Based on component, indoor farming technology market is segmented into hardware, and software and services.
KD Market Insights has released a new statistical analysis on the Vertical Farming market.
It is compiled based on a number of main criteria, including industry description, specification, and implementations.
This provides a concise explanation of dynamic facets of companies, such as shares, profit margins, and sales, which aids in the development of a general understanding of market structure.Get the inside scoop of the Sample report For FREE @ https://www.kdmarketinsights.com/sample/212North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Japan, and India have also been studied on the basis of competitiveness in many fields, providing a good sense of how to improve a company's result.
It also provides a comprehensive overview of the major market players in terms of component suppliers and service outlines.The final report will add the analysis of the Impact of Covid-19 in this report Vertical Farming Market.Adapting to the recent novel COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global Vertical Farming Market is included in the present report.
Furthermore, restraining factors are listed to highlight the obstacles that companies face.
Several methodologies, such as Vertical Farming have been identified in this study in order to recognise global opportunities.Market Segmentation:By Growing System- Hydroponics- Aeroponics- Aquaponics- OthersBy Equipment & 0fferings- Lighting- Climate Control- Sensors- Growing Supplies- Hydroponics Components- - - Pumps and Irrigation System- - - Water Filtration System- - - Others- Aquaponics Components- - - Rearing Tank- - - Settling Basin- - - Filtration unit- - - OthersBy Farm Products- Leafy Greens- Herbs- Microgreens- Herbs- Tomatoes- Medical Cannabis- Cucumber- Strawberry- Peppers- Onion- Fish- Flowers- OthersBy Application- Commercial- Home Food Production- OthersRequest/View TOC @ https://www.kdmarketinsights.com/product/212/vertical-farming-market-2017Regional Outlook:Regionally, the global Vertical Farming market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa.
Proven to keep you focused, the Pomodoro technique is a great way to maximize your study sessions and work days.In a world centered around work, productivity is an essential skill to get things done.
Just the thought of studying for a big exam or completing a project before a deadline is daunting.
Invented in the 1990s by author and entrepreneur Francesco Cirillo, the name “Pomodoro” derives from the tomato-shaped timer Cirillo used throughout his workdays.
No distractions allowed!After the time is up, take a 5-minute break.Repeat this cycle three more times for a total of four Pomodoros.Take a longer break anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, then start over!
As a student or employee, you owe it to yourself to fulfill the 25-minute work slot of the Pomodoro technique.Using the Pomodoro technique for studying and freelance workAs mentioned, Pomodoro helps students stay focused on their many tasks as scholars.
Second, and specifically for studying, it may help to record what you got done during a Pomodoro.
Ayurveda is about 5,000 years old.
In a way maintains all-round development, if one follows an Ayurvedic diet (Ayurvedic weight loss Tips).
To overcome the defects of these Dosha’s one can self modulate the dietary habits in order to be perfect with it and can fulfill the existing imbalance in the body.
Protein: poultry in small amounts, egg whites, tofu
Fruits: sweet, fully ripe fruits like oranges, pears, pineapples, bananas, melons, and mangoes
Vegetables: sweet and bitter veggies, including cabbage, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, zucchini, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, and Brussels sprouts
