I’ve been growing in soil for 10 years. After I finish my present grow, I’m switching over entirely to autopots.
I’m still old school when it comes to light. I run HID. 600w MH in early veg, then switch over to 1000w HPS for the remainder of veg, and all through flower.
I also use 50w LEDs as sidelights to light up the lower branches. Light are on a 20/4 cycle.
My question is as follows.
When I fully switch to autopots, will 1000w be too much light? I’ve watched a lot of videos on autopots, including many by Autopotomous. I’ve heard him mention several times he never runs his LED @ 100%. He dims down to no more than 75%.
So I’m wondering, since autopots expose plants to constant food, do they require reduced light?
I run Autopots under home made LED’s which admittedly are built more diffusely than most commercial lights. That means I can run high PPF and do it close to the plants without burning. Remember that up to the limit of the plant’s ability to absorb and utilize light (DLI) you will see a higher demand for nutrients and water.
HPS is fine, particularly if in a cold climate. That said; LED’s currently blow everything else away with much higher output per watt (almost double HPS) and less heat as a result.
I’m just now in the process of putting my new Auto system together.
You mentioned that LEDs far exceed HIDs in light penetration.
With that being the case, in your opinion, do LEDs noticably increase overall yield, and enhance bud quality?
In my opinion it’s all about yield and bud quality. I’m planning on starting my next grow around 10/1, and sending my new Autopot system on it maiden voyage. I still have time to get a new LED if I think it’ll improve things dramatically.