How Far Should My Growlight Be From My Plants?

Ever wondered what the optimal distance is between your grow light and your plant? We show you how to evaluate it for yourself, whatever plant species you are growing or type of grow light you are using by using an infrared thermometer and PAR light meter.

[carlhank]

You truly have my favorite channel on YouTube for growing. By far the most usable information packed into short and concise videos. Thank you very much for all the work you do and everything you put into them.

[freetickeys]

I don't just watch the videos. I read all of the comments and responses, too. Thanks for being one of my favorite teachers and thanks to our community for their most of them.

[jaimedelgado]

loving this channel. straight to the point. no nonsense. i aint got time to lose

[duramax]

Got a 315w cmh because of your recommendation, and your right there is lots to learn thanks Everest.

[Timetorockbaby]

Thanks for the easy guideline on distance and also for the technical aspect using a meter.
I have 3 grow tables and 2 NFT systems. I use MH, LED Kind, T5s Nano Tech. Thats all in my kitchen!
Just purchased a Greenhouse from Canada that is 10 x 16 from Cedar-Built. I learned a lot of helpful info from you. You seam to be one of the best and enthusiastic in technique. I don't pack my tables with Peppers and Tomatoes. They are spread out and trimmed to 3'. I need to load the tables with my grow to get a better return.

[MrDmadness]

If your lights are too close you will notice crown bleaching or drooping. ( cannabis ) if you have a high part of the plant drooping but flowers just below are reaching then take note of the distance to the light for plant parts that are responding properly. You can also utilize.ize this over par at top cola to get your canopy to even out, flowers too close will slow growth and even droop down as lowers catch up, combine with super cropping for even canopy.. excellent video.

[JustGrowers]

Hey Ross Overacker! Thanks for your feedback. The single vs. multiple light sources is on the list. I wanted to cover PAR first and then move on to PPFD—which I will cover in the single vs. multiple video as we need to discuss reflection and light spread at the same time. It will sure be an interesting video to create so stay tuned! :)

[skitzabod]

Great video. Concise and informative. Thank you.
My herbs are going to turn out great.

[cassandravalgardson]

Everest your great for all indoor hydro info, I will say this video could have benefited by covering some LED info although i can assume its similar to CFL's at 6" - 12" but i always curious the specific differences between the 2 for height, heat, PAR, cost ect. might make for a good video as LED's are quite popular currently and CFL's have been in use and many videos have been made on both separately but rare compare... specifically white full spectrum.... thanks for all videos you have greatly impacted my DIY condo grow shelf set-up!

[arizonagardener]

Whelp I got the 1000 watt hps setup. Luckily I have 10 feet ceilings, and the ballast is dim-able. Cheers Everest!

[markbertolet]

Thanks for sharing te knowledge Dude!!

[DevonWayne]

LIGHTS - Under cut your budget with Alibaba (1st), Aliexpress (2nd), or ebay (3rd.)
Reflectors - Under cut your budget by using sheet metal (for hot lights) or wood with "aluminum tape" (see ventillatoin isle in home depot.)

Using thin plywood +aluminum tape is very cheap and you can DIY your own shape.
Using sheet metal (sold 4x4ft) with +aluminum tape (want good reflectance) would be if you're using HOT lights like Metal Halide.

If you're using LED or CFL tubes, metal isn't as big of a requirement... But if you don't want your house burned down, might as well use sheet metal.. Unless you understand how wood can potentially burn/short circuit/catch fire

[smnie]

As someone brand new to growing plants and the hydroponics scene, I am loving your videos :).

I just have one question about your peppers, how are they pollinated? In a pretty dense area like that, I would imagine manually pollinating would be a real pain.

[Shibu]

Another great video. Is there a resource to see how many umols a given plant or tree needs for maximum production? I am growing citrus trees in a tent so I am guessing 800-1000 umol is my PAR goal? Does my target PAR go up with CO2 supplementation?

[aahhhyess]

excellent job explaining, i didnt know there was so much to know!!!

[artimusclydefrog]

yes that tip about low flat canopies cannot be stressed enough..

cause we all know how much those tomatoes can start to look like christmas trees

amirite

[rossoveracker]

Great info. I find myself watching your videos a few times to try and get it all. Have you done the follow up video regarding the benefit of using multiple light sources instead of just one like you talked about at 3:08? I'd love to see a video about a MH and a HPS fixture in tandem. Would it be beneficial to swap the MH and HPS from one fixture to the other during the grow at any point? Thanks!

[kevin]

use the back of your hand its easy. if it hot on your hand its hot on your plants just move the light up a bit

[chicomendez]

My 1000w Mh veg & 1000w HPS flwr work great ! My first crop so-so...but the 2nd...WOW ! I have Oregano, Green Onions, Cannabis, Romain Lettuce, Poppy Flowers 2 kinds, Fanders Field and Californium Jelly Beans (no...not Opium Poppy "Papaver somniferum", ) jk... I'll take them out in spring.Flanders Feild is for Rememberance Day.
But my goal is to plant something no one else has like Avocado, Pineapple, Orange or Lemon, Mango, or any other exotic fruit that can be grown indoors winter, take out for summer, bring in again in fall. Any suggestions ?
I want something I can grow, harvest & eat ? Besides tomato, cucumbers.
Can it be possible to grow grapes in big planters and follow the life cycle... 2-3 months of spring 3 mths summer, 2-3 fall and harvest... winter prune...& re-grow every year but indoors ? Not a vine...for example in Chile the Wine Grape vine is pruned kept with only few grape clusters so they grow better quality, & like Cannabis you can "train" it to grow in different ways short, one single vine, two, three...best is short 2-3 vines no more.

[justinlau]

Does the cost of growing crops indoor offset the costs of electricity, water and fertilizer? I'm sure hardware and growing containers will last a while but I've never added it all up. Of course you are getting clean fresh produce compared to the supermarket. Have you ever taken a tissue sample of the crops to see what nutrients are available?