Contents
If you’re wondering how many hours of light your cannabis plant should receive during the seedling stage, you’re in the right place. In this blog post, we’ll go over the ideal light schedule for your cannabis plant during the seedling stage, as well as some tips on how to troubleshoot if your plant isn’t getting enough light.
Checkout this video:
Introduction
All cannabis plants, whether they are indica, sativa, or Ruderalis varieties, need light to survive. In their natural environment, cannabis seedlings would sprout beneath their mother plant and then stretch up towards the sun to begin growing. Indoors, we provide our plants with light using artificial grow lights.
The amount of light that a cannabis plant needs depends on what stage of growth it is in. During the seedling stage, cannabis plants need between 16 and 24 hours of light per day. This may seem like a lot, but it is necessary in order for the plant to develop properly. If you do not give your seedlings enough light, they will become spindly and weak.
Once your plants have reached the vegetative stage, they will no longer need as much light. During this stage of growth, you should give your plants 18 hours of light per day. This will encourage them to grow strong and bushy.
Finally, when your plants enter the flowering stage, they will only need 12 hours of light per day. This is because Cannabis flowers best when nights are long and dark.
So, how many hours of light should a cannabis plant receive during the seedling stage? The answer is between 16 and 24 hours per day.
The Science of Light and Cannabis Plants
Like all plants, cannabis plants need light to grow. But how much light does a cannabis plant need during the different stages of its life cycle? In this article, we’ll explore the science of light and cannabis plants. We’ll also talk about how much light you should give your cannabis plants during the seedling stage.
The role of light in photosynthesis
In order for photosynthesis to occur, light must be present. The light energy liberates electrons within the chlorophyll molecule, which produces ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The ATP then provides the energy for metabolic processes, including the synthesis of glucose from carbon dioxide.
The light that is most effective for photosynthesis is in the visible spectrum, which means it is the kind of light we can see. This visible light is actually a very small part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which includes all types of electromagnetic radiation. The other types of electromagnetic radiation include ultraviolet (UV) light, infrared (IR) light, and X-rays.
While all types of electromagnetic radiation can carry energy, only certain types are able to carry enough energy to be used in photosynthesis. For this reason, plants are able to use only a small portion of the total amount of sunlight that hits them. The amount of sunlight that a plant can use also depends on the color of the light.
The spectrum of light and its effects on plants
Light is one of the most important factors to consider when growing any type of plant, but it is especially important for cannabis. The right amount of light will produce strong, healthy plants with plenty of buds. Too much light, on the other hand, can be just as detrimental as too little light.
The spectrum of light is made up of different colors, each with its own wavelength. Sunlight contains all the colors of the spectrum, but different plants absorb different colors differently. For example, cannabis plants absorb red and blue light best, which is why these are the most common colors used in grow lights.
The amount of light a plant receives is just as important as the spectrum of light. In general, cannabis plants need at least 18 hours of light per day during the vegetative stage and 12 hours of darkness during the flowering stage. However, this is just a general guideline and some plants may do better with more or less light.
Light also has an effect on the temperature of your grow room. Plants need a certain range of temperatures to thrive, and too much or too little heat can be detrimental. For most cannabis strains, the ideal temperature range is between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Again, this is just a general guideline and some strains may do better in slightly cooler or warmer temperatures.
If you are using artificial lights, it is important to make sure they are providing the right spectrum and intensity of light for your plants. Different types of lights provide different spectrums and intensities, so it is important to do your research before choosing a grow light. You should also keep an eye on your plants to make sure they are not getting too much or too little light. If you notice your plants stretching towards the light or looking pale and sickly, they may be getting too much light. On the other hand, if your plants are short and curly with dark leaves, they may be getting too little light
The importance of light during the vegetative stage
The amount of light your cannabis plants receive during the vegetative stage is one of the most important factors in determining how healthy and productive they will be. While cannabis plants need light to photosynthesize and produce energy, too much light can cause them to become stressed and produce fewer flowers.
Cannabis plants typically receive 16-18 hours of light per day during the vegetative stage, but some growers prefer to give their plants a longer day (20 hours or more) to encourage more leaf growth. If you are growing cannabis indoors, you will need to provide your plants with artificial light using grow lights.
As the Plants Grow
As your cannabis plants grow, they will begin to stretch and reach for the light. This is called “initiation” and it signals the beginning of the vegetative stage. Once your plants have reached this point, they will need constant access to a light source that is bright enough to allow them to photosynthesize effectively.
The type of light you use is also important. Cannabis plants prefer full-spectrum lighting that mimics sunlight as closely as possible. This includes both blue and red wavelengths of light, which are essential for plant growth.
If you are using artificial lighting, you will need to make sure that your lights are positioned correctly so that your plants can receive the full benefit of the light spectrum. The intensity of the light is also important – too much light can damage leaves, while too little light will result in stunted growth.
It’s important to remember that the amount of light your cannabis plants receive during the vegetative stage will have a direct impact on their productivity when they flower, so it’s important to get it right!
How Many Hours of Light Should a Cannabis Plant Receive?
The amount of light a cannabis plant needs during the seedling stage depends on a few factors. The first is the type of light you are using. LED and fluorescents lights emit very little heat and can be placed close to the plant without burning it. HPS (high-pressure sodium) and MH (metal halide) lights emit more heat and should be kept further away from the plant.
The general rule of thumb
The general rule of thumb is that cannabis plants need around 16 hours of light per day during the vegetative stage, and then they need around 8 hours of darkness per day once they start flowering. However, there are some things to keep in mind when following this rule of thumb.
The optimal amount of light for specific strains
Different cannabis strains have different light requirements, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. However, as a general rule of thumb, most cannabis strains need around 18 hours of light per day during the vegetative stage and 12 hours of light per day during the flowering stage.
If you are growing a cannabis strain that is known to be a particularly fast grower, you may need to give it 24 hours of light per day during the vegetative stage. Conversely, if you are growing a cannabis strain that is known to be a slow grower, you may only need to give it 16 hours of light per day during the vegetative stage.
It is also worth noting that some cannabis strains can tolerate higher levels oflight than others. For example, some strains can handle 24 hours of light per day without any problems, while others will start to experience nutrient deficiencies or other problems if they are exposed to that much light.
As a general rule of thumb, the more light your cannabis plant receives, the faster it will grow. However, if you give your plant too much light, it can start to experience problems. Therefore, it is important to find the right balance for your specific strain.
Conclusion
After much research, we have found that the ideal amount of light for a cannabis plant during the seedling stage is 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness per day. However, it is important to note that each cannabis plant is different and may require a slightly different amount of light. If you are unsure, it is always best to start with 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness and then adjust as needed.
