Why LEDs make bad plant lights (facts + pics!)

[BioWheel]

I've had great success with my LED light. I don't know about the science behind it but it's only 90watts and seems to do what my 400w cfl can do. And that's grow plants. I'm looking to get more LED's but they're prohibitively expensive. The power savings doesn't yet justify their cost. But - eventually I'll be all LED as the 5w (each LED) probably roll out this year. They have EDL lamps now too and they may be even better.

50 Watt Plasma Lamp | Hydroponics Hut

[DavidCampen]

One point to keep in mind is that this thread was started 4 years ago. LEDs have greatly increased in efficiency and dropped in price over these 4 years.

The efficiency of white phosphor LEDs now equals or exceeds the efficiency of fluorescent lights but the price per watt is still much higher for LEDs.

If you don't care that the LEDs have an esthetically pleasing color but instead will match LEDs to the colors that are most efficiently used by plants then you can now certainly exceed the efficiency of fluorescent lamps in converting electrical power into plant growth.

Still though, for now, the initial cost of LEDs per watt of input power is substantially more than fluorescent lamps and it is questionable if the energy savings from using LEDs justifies the initial installation price. This should change rapidly though with increases in the efficiency and decreases in price so that in a couple or few years LEDs will be clearly more cost effective than fluorescent lamps (or MH or HPS).

[Merlyn]

I have only 2 things to say.

#1 is how everyone talks about cost efficiency without stating that to cover the same lighted growing area a 4 foot T5 6 bulb fixture does at $170 would cost you between $300 -$400 for an LED setup ! IF LED's ever get NEAR the same cost efficiency as T5's, I'll consider them.

#2 is anyone who replaces their T5 bulbs after 6 months or even a year, OBVIOUSLY hasn't used a light meter on them !!! Or else the fixture they're using has defective ballasts.

[zxyqu]

Chryss makes 2 good general points, but I think Dave said it best. I know people who use LEDs, and, in general, the results are similar to T5's. T5's as such are just simply cheaper, and use relatively low wattage (and therefore low power). Dave said it right that eventually cost of LEDs will drop to more reasonable prices, but for now, unless you've got the money to go for it, T5s are the best bang for your buck. Yearly changes are probably not required, unless you're really getting up there in usage.

On a second note, does anyone know the life performance/expectancies of some of the newer LEDs (sorry I haven't done my homework on it).

[terryros]

Below is a link to a summary page from Orchids Limited about LED light usage, citing expected operating hours of 30-50,000 hours. I am an LED user with 39 separate LED lights in my plant room. Obviously, we are early in the use of these. I did not make the switch specifically to save money in the long term and yes, they are an upfront expense. However, using the fluroescent and CFL lights in my room had begun routinely blowing my circuit breakers and were generating too much heat. I also did not like having the lighting sources so close to the plants. With LEDs I have reduced power consumption, cut heat generation greatly, and have gained much desired head room over the plants. Now we are experimenting with daylengths, etc to get optimal growth and blooming.

OrchidWeb.com: Orchid Learning Center - LED Grow Lights

[DavidCampen]

I am using LEDs to supplement daylight in my north facing orchid room. I decided on LEDs, even though they are more expensive than other options because they can be tightly focused for out of sight placement high above the plants. I am building my own, I have a 40 watt (input power) prototype operating and I am nearing completion of a 160 watt unit. I expect to eventually have 500 - 1000 watts of LED lighting.

[salamandra]

Hi all, I've only used LED lights for my little crop, is explained in this link with photos: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-floraled.html


My experience is great with all kinds of orchids, the Phalaenopsis are growing new flowers, Masdevallia and Dracula are taking new roots and leaves, Bulbophyllum new bulbs in pots as well mounted on cork, Laelia purpurata recently bought this incredibly fast taking new roots, Pragmipedium fill your pot with roots and new leaves are growing, the baby grow new leaves Paphiopedilum, jewel orchids (Anoectochilus formosanus) grows continuously, and all other small orchids grow without stopping.

I do not know the culture of orchids with other types of light, when I had to mount this orchidarium, which I felt was best LED lights, it is very comfortable to use! I just had to hang the bulb and plug it in and nothing else.

I also provide the light for germination of seeds of plants, provided with seeds of the plant tobacco, grew easily and greens for days, after the transplant and still green and growing.

The focus is only 40 W included the fan, 36 W LED lights specifically.

I am very happy with my culture with LED lights, I have no complaint to him.

A hug.

[Kelo]

If LED's are so awful why am I able to bloom catts and catt types? Not all of mine are easy to flower at the best of times.

[littlefrog]

I have been very pleased with my LEDs... I think most of the 'complaints' are based on outdated technology. New LED systems are excellent. Next year they will be even better. Same as computers, the longer you wait the more you get for your money. Some people will jump in now, some will wait, it is up to you.

I will make lights available at close to my cost for skeptics... If you like them, buy more.

[zxyqu]

LittleFrog is right on par with general wisdom. This thread's title is quite old, and I'm sure the initial ones were crappy, while the new ones are fantastic. He's right, technology always improves. If you can afford them, they'll probably pay themselves off, but I dont know the time till payoff. If you doubt Frog's wisdom, check out his youtube threads of his setup. It's super cool.