LED grow light settings

[bonsairxmd]

Just got my MarsHydro LED grow light set up for the few tropicals I have. Does one use the grow setting, bloom, or both? Everything I read online pertains to cannabis not bonsai . My presumption was just using the grow light switch. This may be my first and last year for tropicals.....not looking forward to wintering them inside nor is my wife!

Thanks

 

[marc206]

How many plants are you needing light for. Do you have pictures?

 

[bonsairxmd]

6 small trees on a 3'x3' square table. I'll post a pic shortly.

 

[bonsairxmd]

Here is what I threw together

 

[davetree]

Grow setting unless you have flowering tropicals.

 

[Jason_mazzy]

Just got my MarsHydro LED grow light set up for the few tropicals I have. Does one use the grow setting, bloom, or both? Everything I read online pertains to cannabis not bonsai . My presumption was just using the grow light switch. This may be my first and last year for tropicals.....not looking forward to wintering them inside nor is my wife!

Thanks

welcome to all my problems.

I have yet to root any conifers with my method. I have however kept them nice and green for 20 days before I murdered them all by making a ph correction mistake. within 24 hours they all turned yellow.

lesson learned was that they were alive in some fashion as they were vibrant green until that day then they all turned immediately blanched and burnt.


apparently it takes 30 days to get rooting...... I WAS ALMOST THERE!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bonsairxmd]

Grow setting unless you have flowering tropicals.

I have one Bougie in the mix but will just stick with the grow setting.

 

[MrFancyPlants]

I would vote for doing both, but I don't know the light's setup. I think the "grow" is mostly blue and the "bloom" is mostly red which are the most photosyntheticaly reactive portions of the spectrum. "Both" I am guessing has a higher output, and I seem to remember reading that the red light will help decrease your internode length, but I could be off on that.

 

[davetree]

The more red the light, the longer the internodes. The more blue the light, the shorter the internodes.

 

[bonsairxmd]

Flipping on the bloom switch on this unit definitely adds the reds.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

I'd just stick with the grow.

 

[coh]

Question for those of you working with LED lighting. In most of the pics that have been posted, I'm seeing a very strongly colored light. Some of this might be the way the camera is reacting to the lighting, but I have no way of knowing. So - is the light as strongly colored as it appears?

The reason I ask, I have my small tropical set up in my office where I spend quite a few hours each day. Right now I'm using a combination of metal halide, compact fluorescent, and regular fluorescent lighting. The overall light effect is nearly white in appearance but the set up is not energy efficient. I'd like to try LED but don't think I could work all day in a room that was the color tone I'm seeing in the pics.

Thoughts?

Chris

 

[bonsairxmd]

It's not the camera in my case. My home office across from my set up glows pink now. The only way around it that I can see would be a grow tent to contain the light. Ebay has a ton of those listed in all sizes though.

(The second sideways picture I posted is a truer representation of the actual color it puts out)

 

[coh]

Thanks Chad. I'd be interested in hearing from others who are using various LED's (Ryan, you out there?).

I currently hang mylar "curtains" from the ceiling to keep as much light in the plant area as possible without creating an enclosure that is a pain to get in/out of for watering, etc. A lot of light still escapes, though.

Chris

Edit to add - perhaps a trip to one of the local hydro shops is in order, to see what the lights look like in person.

 

[sorce]

Id put em way closer since the leds aint hot.

Id only use flower with the bougie. But not until you are ready to have it expend energy on flowers. Go growonly.

My buddy does saltwater. A bunch of forumers went in on an order and it was cheap. China, but nice. You can pit amy combi of diodes you want. No sense wastimg $ on acycle (flower) you wont use. Can get more info if anyone wants.

Sorce

 

[bonsairxmd]

I was thinking that I read the optimum height was 18-24" above the plants as it can still 'sun scortch' them any closer even though it's not from emitted heat as there is very little. It's hard to find much on using them outside of growing marijuana. I'm sure I'm already on some list for buying it as this isn't Colorado.

 

[Redwood Ryan]

Hey Chris,


No, it's not the cameras. The lights really are that obnoxious color. That's part of the reason I keep it enclosed in a tent. However, with as well as my trees are growing, I couldn't care less what color it gives off lol.


I wouldn't move the light any closer to the plants. While it's true LEDs don't give off much heat, there is always a chance of burning or bleaching the leaves.

 

[bonsairxmd]

I may end up getting a tent as it is annoying (especially for my wife). Now I'm in search of a 30x30" drip pan to keep under them for watering. Any ideas?

 

[bonsairxmd]

I also need to come up with a setup for this massive tigerbark. It's the centerpiece on the kitchen table for now! Thinking of a screw in type LED in a tall floor lamp

 

[bonsairxmd]

Like one of these if it woukd be strong enough. There is a 36 and 54W option.