THE SCIENCE BEHIND QUICKER FLOWER PRODUCTION WITH AELIUS LED
When it comes to succeeding in the art of cultivation, timing is everything, especially during the flowering stage. Aelius LED lights are changing the way growers approach the flowering stage by enabling faster flowering production and quicker plant maturity for cannabis. Many believe that faster production leads to smaller lower quality flowers, but that isn’t the case! Let’s dive into a few key reasons behind the success of our LEDs and how they meet the needs of growers.
WHY DO SOME LED FIXTURES PROMOTE QUICKER FLOWER MATURITY?
One of the primary advantages of LEDs is their ability to provide specific wavelengths tailored to the plants’ needs. Red and far-red light are crucial in accelerating plant maturity by enhancing the plants’ photoreceptors. The two key photoreceptors involved in responding to red and far-red light are phytochromes. These photoreceptors help plants detect changes in light conditions, particularly the ratio between red and far-red light, which signals to the plant how much light it is receiving, whether it is shaded and, what time of day it is. This is important during the flowering stage, where plants thrive under these specific wavelengths to boost photosynthesis efficiency. The ratio of red to far-red light acts as a signal to the plant, guiding it through its photoperiodic responses, and directly influencing processes like flowering and maturation. A higher red to far-red ratio leads to more rapid flowering and shorter plant lifecycles. Our Aelius REDD spectrum is engineered to include the optimal amount of red and far-red light, triggering these photoreceptors, which accelerate plant development without sacrificing quality.
Plants under pure red or blue light can sometimes become leggy (red light) or too compact (blue light). Adding white light, which contains a broad spectrum of colours, creates a more even distribution of wavelengths that helps prevent these extremes. The right amount of white and blue light, like in our REDD spectrum, helps maintain balance in the growth process, ensuring that plants grow healthier and bigger.
During the flowering stage, plants also require high light intensity. A higher light intensity provides more photons (light particles) for the plant’s chlorophyll to absorb, which leads to greater photosynthetic activity. The lighter a plant receives during this stage, the more sugars and energy it can produce, which in turn supports the rapid growth and maturation of flowers. Traditional lighting systems like HPS distribute light unevenly, as well as spend energy on unused spectra, wasting energy that would be used to create light in an LED – often leading to slower growth. In contrast, Aelius LEDs offer an even light distribution, allowing for increased light penetration into the plant canopy, which results in better bud formation and faster growth.
HOW HEAT MANAGEMENT CONTRIBUTES TO FASTER FLOWERING
Photosynthesis is highly sensitive to temperature changes. When temperatures rise above the optimal range (usually 70-85°F for cannabis), the efficiency of photosynthesis decreases. Heat stress can cause stomatal closure, reducing the intake of carbon dioxide (CO2), a critical element for photosynthesis. This reduced CO2 uptake leads to lower energy production, which slows flower growth and can delay the onset of flowering and increased respiration rates. Respiration is a process where plants use stored energy (sugars) for growth and maintenance. Excessive heat causes plants to burn through their energy reserves more quickly, leaving less available for flower production. This is where LED technology truly shines compared to traditional lighting systems. HPS lighting, for example, uses a large portion of its energy to produce heat while LEDs ensure a cooler environment and direct energy towards producing light. Our LEDs are designed with premium thermal management, along with high-efficacy diodes, which keeps heat levels low while maintaining high light intensity. As a result, plants can focus on growth and flower production without the stress caused by heat. This allows for a faster and healthier flowering process.
CAN YOU FLOWER IN JUST 6 WEEKS?
Aelius LED fixtures, with their higher PPE (Photosynthetic Photon Efficacy) ratings, provide a more efficient light output, along with a fine-tuned spectrum, maximizing photosynthesis efficiency. High-output fixtures like the Aelius REDD 1000W have proven to shorten the flowering cycle. A member of the #AeliusFam shared their experience, noting that what typically takes 8-10 weeks with other lighting systems was possible in just 6 weeks using Aelius LEDs.
AELIUS FAM SPOTLIGHT
Greg, more commonly known as, @qdaimonia on IG, experiences 6-week flowering firsthand in his Alberta grow. He is able to naturally shave two weeks of flowering time and still harvest at 10% amber without sacrificing terpene content or quality.
The secret? Investing in quality lighting right from the start! He is currently running 6 Aelius REDD 1000w LEDs at 50% power in a 9×9 area during flower.
“I’ve messed with other lights in the past and I have never seen any light do what Aelius LED’s can do!”
Greg- Eduaimonia Farms
Since he has been using quality lights in his grow he has been able to refine his processes to take advantage of light power without incorporating a lot of additional equipment. His stripped-down approach to growing hinges on ensuring the plants are at their optimal health before getting under their flowering lights. Once in flower he typically sees 2 weeks of continued vegetative growth, 2 weeks of budding, and 2 weeks of packing on weight while waiting for that 10% amber (or more if you prefer a heavy hitter).
You can catch up with Greg on his social channels, he is always happy to share:
This rapid flowering is particularly noticeable with fast-flowering strains, but even slower-developing strains can show significant reductions in flowering time with the right conditions. Imagine how much time you could save in your grow operation – reduced cycle times mean faster yields leading to more potential annual flower cycles and increased profitability!
THE AELIUS DIFFERENCE: TAILORED LIGHT SPECTRUM AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY
The rapid flowering and quicker maturity observed with our LED fixtures are made possible by the tailored light spectrum, increased intensity, lower heat output, and overall energy efficiency. By providing your plants with the right conditions, Aelius LEDs can enhance growth rates and ultimately maximize productivity and profits. If you’re looking to enhance your grow operation and experience the Aelius difference, contact us at [email protected] with any inquiries or browse our fixtures here https://aeliusled.com/fixtures/
