Sometimes, we like to chill at the beach and bask in the sunlight, whether it is to get a light tan or soothe our minds. It’s relaxing, sure, but we also benefit from Vitamin D. What if your plant also enjoyed chilling at the beach?
Welcome to the world of the Emerson effect, where your cannabis plant benefits from light in a way you might not have expected. Sure, it doesn’t get Vitamin D, but the effect allows it to grow better and bigger with the help of a few shades of red. Let’s dive in.
About the Emerson Effect
The Emerson effect was discovered by Robert Emerson, an American scientist, in the 1950s, when he was studying photosynthesis in green algae. In ‘57, he found that when the chloroplasts were exposed to both far red and deep red light at the same time, they experienced higher photosynthetic activity.
So, what exactly is the Emerson effect? It’s a biological phenomenon where plants' photosynthetic activity is boosted when exposed to deep red and far red light. For reference, deep red light is 660 to 670 nm, and far red is 700 to 730 nm.
Essentially, when the two light spectra combine, they significantly enhance the photosynthetic rate of the plant by accelerating the plant’s metabolism and energy production. The process also makes the plant more resistant to stress while promoting faster growth.
As a result, if you give your cannabis plant this type of light, you can easily boost your cannabis’ yield of aromatic flowers. Additionally, the same effect can also boost the cannabinoid and terpene content of the flowers.
In short, the Emerson effect, with the help of the two light spectra, can make photosynthesis better while leading to an overall healthier and more resilient cannabis plant.
The Science Behind the Emerson Effect
When Emerson was conducting the experiments, he discovered that photosynthesis dropped sharply at wavelengths greater than 680 nm, even though chlorophyll was still absorbing light in that range.
For reference, chlorophyll mainly absorbs red and blue wavelengths, so this was quite surprising for him. Similarly, when he exposed the plants to wavelengths shorter than 660 nm, photosynthesis efficiency also decreased.
Then, he exposed the plants to both short-wavelength and long-wavelength light simultaneously. The combination resulted in higher photosynthetic efficiency.
Conclusion — there are two distinct photosystems at work in photosynthesis: one driven by short-wavelength light (Photosystem II, or PSII) and the other by long-wavelength light (Photosystem I, or PSI). These two systems work together to optimize the plant's ability to convert light energy into forms it can use.
In simpler words, when light hits chlorophyll molecules in the reaction center of the photosystems, it excites the molecules, boosting their energy levels. This excited state doesn’t last long, and as the molecules calm down, their energy is transferred through a series of electron carriers.
This energy transfer continues to the next photosystem, where a similar process occurs, ultimately producing energy-rich organic molecules that the plant can use for growth. This maximizes photosynthetic efficiency, leading to healthier and more vigorous growth.
Benefits of the Emerson Effect on Cannabis Plants
We already spoke a bit about this, but let’s dive into the benefits of the Emerson effect for your cannabis plant in detail. Here are the primary benefits of the same.
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Higher Photosynthetic Rate
The first and foremost advantage of the Emerson effect is that it improves the photosynthetic efficiency of cannabis plants under far red and deep red light. This further leads to higher production levels of oxygen and carbohydrates within the plant, both of which are essential for healthy growth.
In other words, it simply means that the plants are utilizing light more efficiently, especially in controlled settings such as indoor grow rooms or greenhouses where light conditions can be precisely controlled. Enhanced photosynthesis not only fosters plant growth but also improves the general health and resilience of the plant.
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Increased Plant Growth and Yield
Adding to the previous point, a notable benefit of the Emerson Effect is the increased plant growth and yields it offers. By tuning the light spectrum to incorporate both far red and red wavelengths, you can speed up the growth cycle of the plants, leading to quicker vegetative growth, and, of course, flowering as well.
Plants cultivated under these conditions may exhibit increased biomass and larger flower buds compared to those grown under regular light settings as the improved efficiency in photosynthesis allows plants to channel energy toward growth and flowering, resulting in denser and plentiful blooms.
This way, you’ll not only be able to harvest faster but also increase the number of times you grow the plants per year, automatically giving you more yields.
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Resistance to Oxidative Damage
UV light by default is potentially harmful to cannabis plant cells as it can cause oxidative damage. However, the Emerson effect can help avoid that damage. When you give your plant controlled UV light, it can trigger the synthesis of antioxidant compounds and defense proteins, making the plants more resistant to oxidative stress.
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Activation of Secondary Metabolites
Specific wavelengths of light can activate the production of secondary metabolites in cannabis plants, including terpenes, cannabinoids, and flavonoids. And while we may enjoy these compounds for their effects, they are actually protectors of the plant against environmental damage.
So, when you give your cannabis plant deep red and far red light, you promote the biosynthesis of these compounds, which improves the plant’s resistance to diseases and pests.
This benefit also comes in your favor as the higher levels of cannabinoids and terpenes lead to better aroma, flavor, and potency.
In short, the Emerson effect is a win-win situation for you and your cannabis plant. Your plant will grow healthier and produce a bigger yield that’s also more potent and flavorful.
How to Use the Emerson Effect on Cannabis Plants
Whether you grow in a room or a grow tent, you can harness the Emerson effect to boost plant health and productivity. Here’s a detailed guide on how to achieve this:
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Use the Right Grow Lights
You must choose grow lights that emit both UV light and visible light. Here, HIDs and LEDs are popular and effective options. Just make sure the lights cover the wavelengths necessary for the Emerson effect (deep red at 660-670 nm and far red at 700-730 nm).
We’d always recommend LED grow lights here as they can be customized to emit specific wavelengths. Use LED grow lights designed to provide the exact light spectra needed for the Emerson effect. Plus, they last a long, long time.
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Control UV Light Exposure
Too much UV light is never good for the cannabis plant. So, you must control it. For this, you need to regulate the intensity and duration of UV light to prevent plant damage. Start with lower intensities and shorter durations, gradually increasing as your plants adapt.
You should also adjust UV light exposure based on the plant’s growth stages. Young plants may require less intense UV light, while more mature plants in the flowering stage can benefit from higher UV exposure to boost cannabinoid and terpene production.
To make the most of the Emerson Effect, it is essential to monitor and adjust lighting conditions. You can also use PAR meters to gauge intensity and distribution in your growing area. This will help ensure that your plants receive optimal light during each growth phase.
However, these meters, although some growers love it, are typically expensive and cost more than $500 apiece. Instead, you can use LUX meters that measure brightness and tell you about the area that’s receiving maximum light, enabling you to adjust your plants accordingly.
Apart from that, you can also align the timing of your lights to mirror the natural sunlight patterns. Typically cannabis plants do well with 18 hours of light when they are growing and about 12 hours during flowering. Thus, you can incorporate brief bursts of the far red spectrum at the start or end of the light cycle to optimize the Emerson Effect.
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Ensure Proper Light Distribution
Apart from exposure, you must also keep an eye on its distribution and ensure the light is evenly distributed across your growing area. Uneven light can lead to inconsistent growth and reduce the effectiveness of the Emerson effect.
For this, you can use reflectors to direct light toward plants and strategically place your light sources to cover the entire canopy. This helps in maximizing light exposure to all parts of the plant.
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Keep an Eye on Your Plant
Finally, keep an eye on your cannabis plant at all times. Look for signs of stress or damage that may indicate too much or too little light.
Based on your observations, adjust the light intensity, duration, or distribution to optimize plant health and growth. This could involve tweaking the height of your lights, changing the light cycle, or adjusting the intensity settings.
You should also monitor other environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, as they interact with light exposure and affect plant health. Maintaining optimal conditions will enhance the benefits of the Emerson effect.
Timing the Grow Lights
Let’s take a look at how you can actually implement the tips mentioned earlier to use the Emerson effect for growing cannabis. Here, one of the most popular and widely used techniques to harness the Emerson effect involves the strategic use of lamps that emit both deep red (660-670 nm) and far red (700-730 nm) light.
This method enhances the natural lighting cycle, mimicking the conditions of sunrise and sunset to boost plant metabolism and growth. Here's how you can implement this technique:
- Turn on your red light lamps 15 minutes before your main grow lights to simulate natural dawn
- Keep the red light lamps on for 15 minutes after your main grow lights turn off to mimic dusk
When you do this, your plant will get 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness but 12 hours and 30 minutes of red light — overlapping the main light during the day.
To do this, you need to start by installing red light lamps that can be controlled independently from your main grow lights. Next, you need to program them to turn on 15 minutes prior and later compared to your main lights.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on your plant’s health and adjust the light intensity and timing as needed.
Summary: What is the Emerson Effect And How To Use It On Cannabis Plants
In a nutshell, the Emerson Effect is like giving your cannabis plants a VIP pass to better health and productivity. By carefully timing and controlling the exposure to deep red and far red light, you can significantly enhance photosynthesis and overall plant vitality.
Whether you're a seasoned grower or a green-thumbed newbie, harnessing this phenomenon can lead to a more bountiful and potent harvest. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to light up your grow rooms with these lights and enjoy the show.
To know more about such nifty growing techniques, stay tuned to our blog!
