Seedleranswered grow question a year ago Distance from Plant:
Seedling Stage: During the seedling stage, you should keep the light relatively high, around 24-30 inches (61-76 cm) above the plants. This provides gentle light for young seedlings to avoid light stress.
Vegetative Stage: As your plants grow, you can gradually lower the light to about 18-24 inches (46-61 cm) above the canopy. Adjust the height based on how your plants respond. Keep an eye on them to ensure they're not getting too close to the light, which could cause light stress or bleaching.
Flowering Stage: During the flowering stage, maintain the light at a distance of about 12-18 inches (30-46 cm) from the top of the canopy. Again, monitor your plants closely for any signs of light stress. Some strains can handle the light closer than others.
Dimmer Settings:
Using the dimmer can be beneficial to adjust light intensity according to the growth stage. Here's a rough guideline:
Seedling Stage: You can start with the dimmer at around 25-30% intensity. Seedlings are delicate, and they don't need intense light at this stage.
Vegetative Stage: Gradually increase the light intensity as your plants grow. By the end of the vegetative stage, you can aim for around 50-75% intensity, depending on your specific strain and how well your plants are responding.
Flowering Stage: In the flowering stage, you can increase the intensity to about 75-100%, depending on your strain's light requirements and how close you have the light to the canopy.
Remember, these are general guidelines, and the optimal distance and intensity can vary based on your specific strain, environmental conditions, and how your plants respond. Always monitor your plants closely and adjust the light accordingly to avoid light stress or any other issues.