But are LEDs faulty?

You have just received horticultural LED lighting and once plugged in, you notice that some are less bright than others, or even extinguished . You may wonder if these are broken, but we reassure you, it is important to know that these LEDs are in fact UV and infrared LEDs . These different spectra emit wavelengths outside our vision spectrum, which makes them less visible to the human eye. Although these lights are not visible to us, they have significant benefits for growing our plants indoors. In this article, we will explain why the human eye cannot see these spectra and the benefits of UV and infrared for indoor growing.

Why the Human Eye Can't See UV and Infrared LEDs

The human eye is sensitive to a certain spectrum of light, known as the " visible spectrum ", which ranges from infrared to ultraviolet. The colors we perceive are actually different wavelengths of light that are within this visible spectrum. UV and infrared LED components, however, emit wavelengths outside of this visible spectrum , which means they are less visible to the human eye. UV LEDs emit light in ultraviolet wavelengths (below 400nm), while infrared LEDs emit light in infrared wavelengths (above 700nm).

The benefits of UV LEDs for indoor growing

UV has significant benefits for growing plants indoors. They can help stimulate plant growth and improve the quality of fruits and vegetables by increasing the production of phytohormones. Phytohormones are substances produced by plants that play an important role in plant growth and development. By increasing the production of phytohormones, UV boosts plants to grow faster and produce better quality fruits and vegetables .

The benefits of infrared LEDs for indoor growing

Infrared helps increase the temperature of your plants and optimize photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light into energy . By increasing plant temperature, infrared can enhance photosynthesis and help plants produce more energy. This can result in faster growth and more abundant fruit and vegetable production.

The dates linked to the discoveries of infrared and UV for plants.

1. 1974: Scientists at NASA Lewis Research Center (now known as Glenn Research Center) discover that plants grown under UV lights have accelerated growth and better resistance to environmental stresses. (Source: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19760005167.pdf )

2. 1990: University of Florida researchers discover that using UV-B lights increases vitamin D content in mushrooms grown indoors. (Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2280381 )

3. 2002: University of California researchers discover that using infrared lights increases plant growth and the quality of fruits and vegetables. (Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11991779 )

4. 2007: University of Technology Sydney researchers find that using UV-B lights increases phytocannabinoid levels in cannabis plants grown indoors. (Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17952650 )

5. 2013: University of Technology Sydney researchers find that using infrared lights increases plant growth and improves the quality of fruits and vegetables. (Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23806694 )

UV and Infrared Questions for Growers

What are the benefits of using UV and infrared lights for growing plants indoors?

UV lights can stimulate plant growth and improve the quality of fruits and vegetables by increasing the production of phytohormones, while infrared can increase plant temperature and improve photosynthesis.

How to use UV and infrared lights safely and effectively to maximize plant growth and fruit and vegetable quality?

It is important to monitor light levels and temperatures to avoid plant damage, and adjust exposure times accordingly.

Are UV and infrared lights harmful to humans or pets?

Excessive UV exposure can cause damage to human skin and eyes, so it is important to take the necessary precautions to avoid excessive exposure.

What is the optimal dose of exposure to UV and infrared lights for plants?

There is no single dose that is suitable for all plants, it depends on each species of plant and its stage of growth. It is important to monitor the plants and make adjustments accordingly.

How do I know if my plants are getting enough UV and infrared lights?

It is important to watch for signs of fruit and vegetable growth and quality, and make adjustments accordingly.

Do UV and infrared lights impact phytocannabinoids and terpenes in hemp plants?

UV can increase phytocannabinoid levels in cannabis plants grown indoors.

Can UV and infrared lights be used to replace all or part of traditional lighting for indoor growing?

It is possible to use UV and infrared lights in addition to traditional lighting to improve the growth and quality of fruits and vegetables.

Can UV and infrared lights cause damage to plant leaves and stems?

Excessive UV and infrared exposure can cause plant damage, so it's important to monitor lighting levels and temperatures and make adjustments accordingly.

LED horticultural lamps with UV and Infrared

Conclusion

In summary, although the human eye cannot see UV and infrared lights, they can have significant benefits for indoor growing by stimulating plant growth and improving the quality of fruits and vegetables. However, it is important to monitor light levels and temperatures to avoid damage to plants. If you are using LED horticultural lighting, don't worry if some LEDs appear to be broken, they may just be UV and infrared LEDs which have unique benefits for your indoor grow.