What is the relationship between “light and cannabis plants”? Do you have to be exposed to the sun or not?

As everyone already knows, "light" is a factor that affects the growth of most plants. Not even the cannabis plant. Hot herbs that are gaining popularity But because in the past it was classified as a category 5 narcotic, there has been less study related to its cultivation in Thailand than other plants. For this reason, many people are confused about Do cannabis plants need sunlight? Or how many hours will the lights be turned on during flower making? which this article four twenty We will take you to understand the relationship between light and cannabis plants. Along with how to adjust the lights to make flowers, it is recommended.

Why do people nowadays like to grow cannabis plants?

Before looking at the relationship between light and cannabis plants. Let's first look at why Thai people are now growing cannabis plants. Which is of course the main reason. This comes from the fact that the cannabis plant was removed from the drug list and became a controlled herb on June 9, 2022, thus giving people over 20 years of age more freedom to use it.

In addition to the medical benefits that the government gives importance to, It also allows people to grow cannabis plants for use in their homes and mix them into food products. resulting in many new and unusual menus Including cannabis basil, cannabis brownies, crispy cannabis bread, cannabis chocolate balls, cannabis craft soda, crispy cannabis salad and many more menus.

What factors do you need to grow cannabis plants?

Some plants are planted in pots or placed in the ground. By watering and tilling the soil regularly, it can grow and bear fruit for harvesting. But for growing cannabis plants to bloom and contain important substances, many factors must be involved, such as

• Light Important factors that affect the growth of cannabis plants at every stage. From planting seeds to flowering In each phase, lights for planting seeds, lights for leaf production, and lights for flowering must be specified appropriately.
• Temperature For the temperature suitable for the growth of cannabis plants is 19-30 degrees Celsius, but when entering the flowering stage, the temperature must be slightly lowered to 18-26 degrees Celsius. This will stimulate the creation of trichomes in the flower inflorescences.
• Air (Air Circulation) An air circulation system must be installed to provide fresh air at all times. In indoor growing, it is popular to install a gentle air blowing system. On the underside of the leaves to ventilate the underside of the leaves to prevent problems with diseases and insect pests of cannabis plants.
• Reflection It prevents light from being absorbed by the walls and reflects it back to give light to the cannabis plant instead.
• Humidity Although these factors do not affect the growth of cannabis plants as much as other factors, But if the humidity inside the greenhouse is allowed to exceed 60%, it will cause the cannabis plants to grow more slowly than usual.
• Carbon Dioxide (Co2) It will help the cannabis plants grow and produce faster.

How important is light to cannabis plants?

Do cannabis plants need sunlight? And when do you have to jump in the sun? A question that most cannabis growers are especially interested in. Because besides light and cannabis plants are related at every stage of growth, It also stimulates the production of Cannabinoids to be higher, helping to enter the flowering period faster. Increase the size of the flowers. Reduce the risk of disease occurring with cannabis plants. and end the planting cycle faster. This makes it possible to increase the number of cannabis planting cycles per year. However, because there are many photoperiods, Each period of light stimulates the growth of cannabis plants differently as follows:

• Natural light, wavelength 10 – 400 NM or UVA and UVC light wavelengths help stimulate the production of color, smell, taste and important substances in cannabis flowers.
• Blue light with a wavelength of 400 – 520 NM Stimulates nutrient absorption and photosynthesis in leaves. As a result, the cannabis plants grow well and produce more new leaves.
• Green light with a wavelength of 500 – 600 NM Stimulates photosynthesis of lower leaves. Allows for thorough photosynthesis Therefore, it is popular to use green light during the early cannabis leaf blooming period.
• Red light, wavelength 630 – 660 NM Helps stimulate flowering and important substances in cannabis flowers
• Far-red light, wavelength 720 – 740 Helps accelerate the absorption of nutrients To be used to stimulate the growth of every part of the cannabis plant. Far-red light has also been used to stimulate the germination of cannabis seeds.

What is the difference between growing cannabis plants indoors and outdoors?

Growing cannabis plants can currently be grown both indoor and outdoor. Indoor cultivation is growing cannabis plants indoors, completely closed. Such as growing in a room, greenhouse system, or tent. The advantage of growing cannabis plants indoors is that you don't have to worry about whether the cannabis plants like the sun or not. Will the sun be strong or too little today? Because every factor can be controlled, including humidity, temperature, light reflection, air, carbon dioxide, level and duration of lighting for the cannabis plants 100%, resulting in the opportunity to have good quality products. Better to reduce insect disease problems. And most importantly, it can be harvested many times.

But even so The main problem of indoor growing is the "cost" of setting up the system and higher electricity costs. While growing outdoors or growing outdoors like a normal plant. Can be planted in a pot or in the ground. which even though it has a lower cost But the factors and light cannot be controlled with the cannabis plants. This puts you at risk of being attacked by diseases and insects. It also cannot stimulate the growth and production system. It must be allowed to grow naturally. Therefore, there will be fewer planting cycles.

Growing cannabis plants indoors is the choice of the new generation.

Even though the cannabis plant is not a new plant in Thailand. But it is also a medicinal plant that has been used in Thai medicine since ancient times. But because he had just been removed from the drug list. As a result, the new generation is interested in trying to grow cannabis plants to study their growth and use them within the household as required by law.

However, with the style of living that most people live in condominiums or apartments for convenience in traveling. Therefore making it possible to plant indoor plants on the balcony of the room. It is the best choice for planting. Because it is easy to control growth factors especially exposure You can install light bulbs to provide light to your cannabis plants. Makes controlling light easier Don't worry about getting too much or too little cannabis plant that will affect the growth or flowering.

Light bulb, essential equipment that provides PPFD light for growing cannabis plants.

This is because light is an important factor for the growth of cannabis plants. Therefore, when growing cannabis plants indoors, it is necessary to pay attention to lighting equipment. Each device has a different PPFD light value or light value that is suitable for plant growth. The lighting equipment commonly used for growing cannabis plants is as follows.

LED bulbs

It's a small bulb like a Plug n Play bulb. The highlight is that it's easy to install, easy to buy, cheap, saves energy, and doesn't heat too high. But it should be installed away from cannabis plants. Because if it's too close it will cause the tree to burn. This type of bulb is suitable for use in small growing rooms.

CFL bulbs

It's a large, strong, durable bulb. Low heat. Doesn't burn the plant. Not high price. Saves electricity. There are many spectrums to choose from. Commonly used to stimulate flowering.

Metal Halide bulbs

It is a bulb that has the advantage of high light intensity, strong, durable, and can be used for a long time. There are many spectrums and sizes to choose from. But it is a high-heat model. It should be used in a room with good ventilation to reduce heat.

High Pressure Sodium Lamp

It's a bulb with heat up to 2,200 - 2,400 Kelvin. There are many spectrums to choose from. Can be installed for both indoor planting and green houses. Popularly used during the adjustment of the lights to make flowers or leaves.

High Intensity Discharge Tube

It is a light bulb with a light level similar to natural light. It combines the properties of Metal Halide and High Pressure bulbs together, but should only be installed in greenhouses with ventilation channels.

Appropriate PPFD light values ​​for growing cannabis plants

PPFD light value or light value that is suitable for plant growth. In the growth of cannabis plants, there will be different PPFD light values. During seed planting, PPFD light values ​​of 200 - 400 μmol will be used to help with leaf emergence or stimulate leaf formation. Light values ​​for cannabis plants are used at 200 - 400 μmol, which is higher than other plants. During the flowering period, the maximum amount of light used on cannabis plants is 700 - 900 μmol.

Therefore, when growing cannabis plants indoors, you should choose lighting equipment that provides light values ​​that cover all stages of the cannabis plant's growth.

Exposure time

In addition to the amount of light The duration of light given to cannabis plants is another thing that varies during the growth stage. How many hours of light and what temperature is required for each stage as follows?

Seedling planting period

The seedling stage is when cannabis plants need the most light. for use in growth At this stage, light must be given to the cannabis plants for no less than 18 hours, but the best way is to give it 24 hours a day. The required light is at a temperature of 4,000 - 6,000 Kelvin.

Stage of leaf and stem formation

During the leaf and stem formation period, fire is controlled during the leaf and stem formation period. which will be used for food and the amount of carbon dioxide in the photosynthesis process For the duration of lighting the cannabis plants, the temperature is 3,200 - 3,500 Kelvin, at least 16 hours every day until the flowering stage.

flowering period

The flowering period is the most important period. Fire during flowering must be carefully controlled. which during How many hours can you make the flowers turn on the light? The answer is giving light to the cannabis plants at a temperature of 2,700 - 3,000 Kelvin for 12 hours and withholding light for 12 hours, alternating. This will help stimulate the most important substances in treating disease.

In conclusion, light is an important factor in growing cannabis at every stage. From planting seeds to flowering If not controlled well, it will affect growth, leaf emergence, flowering, and important quantities in cannabis. The simplest control is Growing cannabis indoors or growing indoors where you can control both the amount and duration of light given to the cannabis plants. including other factors at the same time

This is different from outdoor planting or outdoor planting where various factors cannot be controlled. And most importantly, you have to worry about air, temperature, and lighting the cannabis plants. But for any new generation who is interested in cannabis products But I don't want to count on growing one myself and wasting time giving advice. cannabis of four twenty good quality imported cannabis There are many designs to choose from. Show complete properties You can choose what you want.