Lighting Why move LED closer during flower?

[Animatey]

Hey guys,

A lot of times when I see people discussing LED distance from plant on the forum, the distance changes when plants go into flower.

Why is this?

It made sense to me when I grew a photoperiod plant under it because there were now significantly less light hours in the day, but for autos I keep my schedule 4 20 (off/on).

Anyways, thanks in advance for any replies ;D

 

[Waximus]

I think its all about light penetration. Closer to the tops=closer to the lower bud sites. In my current grow, my Dinafem Auto White Widows seemed to stretch up to 6 inches from the LED panel (Taotronics, 180 real watts) then they flower. I keep them 6 inches away, and the bud production on the lower nodes is way better. I've kept the panel 12-14" for the whole grow, and.. not so much.
Hope that helps! Happy growing!

 

[Animatey]

I think its all about light penetration. Closer to the tops=closer to the lower bud sites. In my current grow, my Dinafem Auto White Widows seemed to stretch up to 6 inches from the LED panel (Taotronics, 180 real watts) then they flower. I keep them 6 inches away, and the bud production on the lower nodes is way better. I've kept the panel 12-14" for the whole grow, and.. not so much.
Hope that helps! Happy growing!

Hey man, thanks a bunch for the reply!

Are you really able to keep your taotronic leds that close to your plants??? I have 2 diff taotronics models (80 watt actual draw and 120 watt actual) and if I get them closer than 20 inches they turn the edges of the plant leaves crispy brown usually overnight...

I usually keep hem about 2 feet away from my plants and that seems to keep them the most... alive.

I really don't know what I am doing though x_x

Led distance has really been a pain in the ass to me sine I started. Burning plants or stunting them to shit, or having lights way too far. $$$$$ add up after so much trial and error. It's infuriating, I have thought about converting to cfl to solve the distance equation permanently except the damn things are still too hot :\ I fear the flir too much to go to HID so I am stuck with LED... guess I will eventually have to figure out some way to figure out distance without so much trial and error.

Thanks again for the reply!

 

[Waximus]

In flower, it stays 6" above. In veg, I keep it 16-18" away, and that seems to be good for bushing it up. I've never torched any leaves, but it could be a strain dependent thing. On my first grow of the AWW, I put the panel 2-3" away, but the next day, it had bleached the tops-platinum blonde... So, 6" it is

 

[Animatey]

In flower, it stays 6" above. In veg, I keep it 16-18" away, and that seems to be good for bushing it up. I've never torched any leaves, but it could be a strain dependent thing. On my first grow of the AWW, I put the panel 2-3" away, but the next day, it had bleached the tops-platinum blonde... So, 6" it is

Thanks again for the measurements man! I didn't really see much on the forum about taotronics, I have searched it a few times I think... Cool to see another user ;D !

Thanks again for the reply man, I am gonna maybe experiment with some diff heights on my current grow.. Thanks man!

 

[TaNg]

It's purely to increase light intensity.

 

[ukfreak]

i always see moving the light closer to flower is denser buds and more penetration also in veg for tighter node formation

 

[Muddy]

Plants in veg don't need the same intensity. That's why some LEDs have different settings for veg and flower. In veg I adjust mine to maintain node spacing at about 1/2 to 3/4". That usually put them at around 14 - 15". In flower, I drop them to about 10 - 12". These are 240 watt, LEDs using 3 watt chips. I've never run any using 5 watters but I would expect they would need to be set a bit higher to avoid bleaching.