Ultraviolet UVB Lighting
With so many options out there like High Pressure Sodium, Ceramic Metal Halide, COB and Quantum Board LEDs, indoor grow lighting can get kind of overwhelming. It gets confusing, before you even start thinking about light spectrums. Well, at Vermont Grow Coaching, we do what we can to help eliminate some of that confusion. Today’s topic is Ultraviolet Light. In particular, the benefits of using UVB lighting for your indoor grow room.
What is Ultraviolet Light?
Ultraviolet Light, like all light, is measured by wavelength. UVA is from 320-400nm. UVB is from 290-320nm. And UVC is 100-290nm. When it comes to the sun, almost all UVC is filtered out through the ozone layer. UVB from the sun, amounts to less than half a percent of the total light that reaches earth. In comparison, UVA from the sun, amounts to closer to 3%.
Recent studies have shown, that although the sun is obviously the best all around choice for growing cannabis, the slight increase of UVB lighting in late flower, can increase THC and CBD percentage, as well as increase yield and trichome production. UVB lighting is powerful. Nowhere near as powerful as UVC, which has been known to cause cancer. But, UVB is still powerful enough to negatively effect your eyesight, cause sunburn with prolonged exposure, and can even mutate your plants.
UVB Lighting in Grow Lights
Most grow lighting systems today use some form of UVB in their spectrum. However, when using glass bulbs or lights that have glass hoods, you are effectively limiting the UVB output by up to 90%. For that reason, Vermont Grow Coaching suggests the addition of supplemental UVB lighting to anyone who’s completed a few grows and is confident in their growing abilities. Using UVB can be dangerous and detrimental to yourself and your plants, if not used correctly. Vermont Grow Coaching recommends you turn off your UVB lighting when in your grow room. If you are unable to do so, consider glass safety goggles and sunscreen to help protect your body from the harmful rays.
Safety
Due to the extreme intensity of UVB lighting, it is recommended that you only use the additional supplemental UVB lights during the last 2 to 3 weeks of flower. Make sure to read the manual provided by the lighting manufacturer. Most units only require about 24 watts to supplement a 4×4 area and will not need to run during the entire lights on cycle. Depending on the lights you choose, Vermont Grow Coaching recommends you start by using your UVB lights 2-4 hours per day and gradually increasing each grow, until you have found the best UVB lighting schedule for your plants.
How We Use UVB
Currently, Vermont Grow Coaching utilizes 24 watts running 24 inches over a 4×4 canopy, running for 1 hour every 2 hours during the last stages of flower. That amounts to a total of 5 hours of supplemental UVB lighting during the lights on cycle. For most of our cannabis and hemp plants, we have seen a 15-20% increase in trichome production and cannabinoid concentration. That substantial increase is all the reason we need to want supplemental UVB lighting in the grow room.
You should now have a better idea of why Ultraviolet Light is important and how to best use it for your cannabis crop.
If you’d like to learn more, please feel free to contact us or check out our pricing page. We offer an array of services, from virtual consultations to harvesting assistance, and even how to make feminized seeds! You can also find us on Facebook and Instagram or contact us directly at (802)342-5381 or Service@VermontGrowCoach.com At Vermont Grow Coaching LLC, service is our commitment and plants are our business.
Vermont Grow Coaching LLC
(802)342-5381
Pittsford, VT 05763
Service@VermontGrowCoach.com
Disclaimer: Please note that this article is the opinion of Vermont Grow Coaching LLC and should only be viewed as such. Vermont Grow Coaching LLC takes no responsibility for any damages, or legal concerns regarding the cloning or cultivation of Cannabis. The responsibility to ensure operation within governing law, is placed solely on the person or entity that chooses to cultivate Cannabis. Be smart and remember to keep it legal with your local and state governments.
