Ideal DLI for autos

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I've seen numbers all over the place online.

I'm starting my 3rd week on an 18/6 light schedule and I've seen DLI suggestions from 20 to 35.


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I've seen numbers all over the place online.

I'm starting my 3rd week on an 18/6 light schedule and I've seen DLI suggestions from 20 to 35.


View attachment 1475523

There are some generally recommended guidelines for how much light intensity cannabis plants should have for optimal growth in different stages of their life (you will see some variation between these recommendations depending on the source, but they are generally very similar.)

IN SEEDLING, 100 TO 300 PPFD (6 TO 19 DLI)
IN CUTTINGS (CLONES,) 75-150 PPFD (5 TO 10 DLI)
IN VEGETATIVE, 300-600 PPFD (19 DLI TO 39 DLI)
IN FLOWER, 600+ PPFD (26+ DLI MINIMUM)


Cannabis is different from typical greenhouse plants in how it thrives under high-intensity light. It's one of the few plants which flourishes growth in full bloom with more than 900 to 1200 PPFD (38 to 52 DLI.)

However, as light intensity (PPFD) increases, photosynthetic rates also increase until a saturation point is reached. Every plant species has a light saturation point where photosynthetic levels plateau. Light saturation normally occurs when some other factor (normally CO2) is limited.

Here's a chart that was produced by the engineers from Fluence Bioengineering, a very reputable lighting company in the cannabis industry, from their guide on Photobiology showing the percentage of relative photosynthesis based on average atmospheric CO2 levels in the air (around 400 ppm.) According to their rhetoric, photosynthesis plateaus in efficiency around 500 PPFD.

1655823321378.png


So without augmenting the CO2 levels in your grow environment, photosynthesis reaches a plateau at a certain light intensity threshold. This gives us a guideline for determining how much light is simply "too much light" based on the environment, as well as "how much is not enough." There is literally a point where you're just pushing photons against a plant that can withstand them, but not utilize them.

It's important to note that if temperature, humidity, CO2, nutrients, or even the moisture level of the grow medium are outside the optimum range for cannabis, these attribute to the limitations of photosynthesis.
 
I run 18/6 to save on electricty.

I am reading that light intensity should gradually increase and at just 14 days that seems a bit high. No?
hi !

sorry missed the 3rd week bit!

yeah start lower then get to 40
like the chart @Son of Hobbes has put above!

as im doing 20 hours it means i can run my lights lower / 65% is my max
dont know if that makes it cheaper or not tho!
 
There are some generally recommended guidelines for how much light intensity cannabis plants should have for optimal growth in different stages of their life (you will see some variation between these recommendations depending on the source, but they are generally very similar.)

IN SEEDLING, 100 TO 300 PPFD (6 TO 19 DLI)
IN CUTTINGS (CLONES,) 75-150 PPFD (5 TO 10 DLI)
IN VEGETATIVE, 300-600 PPFD (19 DLI TO 39 DLI)
IN FLOWER, 600+ PPFD (26+ DLI MINIMUM)


Cannabis is different from typical greenhouse plants in how it thrives under high-intensity light. It's one of the few plants which flourishes growth in full bloom with more than 900 to 1200 PPFD (38 to 52 DLI.)

However, as light intensity (PPFD) increases, photosynthetic rates also increase until a saturation point is reached. Every plant species has a light saturation point where photosynthetic levels plateau. Light saturation normally occurs when some other factor (normally CO2) is limited.

Here's a chart that was produced by the engineers from Fluence Bioengineering, a very reputable lighting company in the cannabis industry, from their guide on Photobiology showing the percentage of relative photosynthesis based on average atmospheric CO2 levels in the air (around 400 ppm.) According to their rhetoric, photosynthesis plateaus in efficiency around 500 PPFD.

View attachment 1475549

So without augmenting the CO2 levels in your grow environment, photosynthesis reaches a plateau at a certain light intensity threshold. This gives us a guideline for determining how much light is simply "too much light" based on the environment, as well as "how much is not enough." There is literally a point where you're just pushing photons against a plant that can withstand them, but not utilize them.

It's important to note that if temperature, humidity, CO2, nutrients, or even the moisture level of the grow medium are outside the optimum range for cannabis, these attribute to the limitations of photosynthesis.

think this pretty much covers it...
 
There are some generally recommended guidelines for how much light intensity cannabis plants should have for optimal growth in different stages of their life (you will see some variation between these recommendations depending on the source, but they are generally very similar.)

IN SEEDLING, 100 TO 300 PPFD (6 TO 19 DLI)
IN CUTTINGS (CLONES,) 75-150 PPFD (5 TO 10 DLI)
IN VEGETATIVE, 300-600 PPFD (19 DLI TO 39 DLI)
IN FLOWER, 600+ PPFD (26+ DLI MINIMUM)


Cannabis is different from typical greenhouse plants in how it thrives under high-intensity light. It's one of the few plants which flourishes growth in full bloom with more than 900 to 1200 PPFD (38 to 52 DLI.)

However, as light intensity (PPFD) increases, photosynthetic rates also increase until a saturation point is reached. Every plant species has a light saturation point where photosynthetic levels plateau. Light saturation normally occurs when some other factor (normally CO2) is limited.

Here's a chart that was produced by the engineers from Fluence Bioengineering, a very reputable lighting company in the cannabis industry, from their guide on Photobiology showing the percentage of relative photosynthesis based on average atmospheric CO2 levels in the air (around 400 ppm.) According to their rhetoric, photosynthesis plateaus in efficiency around 500 PPFD.

View attachment 1475549

So without augmenting the CO2 levels in your grow environment, photosynthesis reaches a plateau at a certain light intensity threshold. This gives us a guideline for determining how much light is simply "too much light" based on the environment, as well as "how much is not enough." There is literally a point where you're just pushing photons against a plant that can withstand them, but not utilize them.

It's important to note that if temperature, humidity, CO2, nutrients, or even the moisture level of the grow medium are outside the optimum range for cannabis, these attribute to the limitations of photosynthesis.
Thank you.

When are seedlings no longer considered seedlings?

Are these still seedlings?
 

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The correct expert answer to the question "how much light do your plants need" oft times seems to be "more light than you have or will ever be able to afford." Its a miracle that any of us have even been able to get seedling to sprout. (insert official AFN sarcasm warning here) :biggrin:
 
FWIW I run 30-40 DLI until Day 21 and then gradually ramp up to 45-50 by flower. 18/6 cycle. YMMV, IMHO, etc.
And how much wattage do you have to have to do that? I saw a chart that indcated that you may not need as much as your think. Chart said my 135W HLG clone would average almost 600 ppfd in a 2 x 2 tent. 700+ in the center at 18 inches and maybe 400 at the edges. That appears to be "enough, but some folks say no.
 
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