LIGHT IS MAGIC
How important are light recipes? One example of this is when red light is eliminated during the last 3 days of growth, phytochromes are no longer triggered, resulting in terpene accumulation in the maturing trichomes.
Cultivators have been familiar with the concept of creating recipes that suit their plants. Tailored nutrient regiments have been worked on and developed through the years, but the concept of using light as another ingredient in the overall recipe has been greatly overlooked until modern advancements and concepts have brought spectrum adjustment and its application to the forefront of horticulture.
- Optimize genetic expression
- Maximize secondary metabolites
- Adjust plant structure and physiology
- Custom tailor spectra towards specific cultivars
Much like we must fuel our bodies with food in preparation for and recovery of straining activity and physical exertion, plants have a similar approach, with light being their main marathon. Different wavelengths of light put demand on specific photosynthetic processes that can increase and decrease the demand of specific elements found within the plants nutrient regiment. Much how different styles of exercise affect the way we recover/prepare, different wavelengths and applications of light demand varying elemental uptake within the plants.
As the months progress throughout the year, with it comes changes in the seasons around us. Hotter, slightly more humid, brighter months are gradually scaled down in both temp and humidity, as well as a lighting shift in both warmth and intensity to a more dim/cool environment. These parameters all work together in harmony to effect and direct specific photosynthetic responses within the plant. Temperature deltas between day and night time will also trigger certain responses such as the elongation of the cellular structure, leading to a more distant spacing between internodes and floral sites. Utilizing environmental parameters in combination with targeted lighting spectra gives another edge to the cultivator that has not previously been maximized upon.
Playing with the spectrum in the vegetative state allows the cultivator to truly engineer the final canopy foundation from the get go. The use of heavier cool spectrum to help keep internodal spacing to a minimum has been an approach used by many cultivators. Having the ability to adjust the amount and intensity of cool light while also adjusting and adding in a warmer part of the spectrum allows cultivators to really fine tune the nuances of the varieties they are working with.
The use of full spectrum light with the addition of red/far red light allows the cultivator to truly maximize the genetic expression of the plant. ScynceLED has developed a 5 Phase Baseline approach geared towards the different stages of the flowering process. The Phases are meant to act as transitions into the next step of the flowering process. When developing these steps, we took into consideration yield, secondary metabolite expression, plant stature and internodal development. As with all variables in a grow operation, these recipes should be used as a baseline to build from. As a cultivator, working with your specific varieties and understanding their reaction to changes within the environment is the most important step in applying spectral adjustment to the crop’s production.
