What's with side lighting? Does it really help?

mzxsdi600

mzxsdi600

New Member
Ok , I have been here lof enough to see that some grower use side lights in ur grow set up's.
I understand that plants only intake from the top of leaves and have ZERO benefits from side lights ?

Ok folks , lets here from u out there:nomo:

Cheers
J
 
I can from personal experience say it works. :) The areas on my plants next to the side lighting get far better development bud wise. Leaves dont sit totally horizontal so they catch and use plenty of it Im sure. :)
 
I'm also very curious as to the specifics... for example what is the minimum threshold of watts for side lighting? i suspect it depends on the size of your op so... lets also say this hypothetical set-up is a 4x4 with 600w, that way an average could be determined?
 
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I used T-5's for side lighting on my last grow and I'm planning on using them again for the next. but I don't know if it helps. I just figure it can't hurt.

here's my corollary question for the experienced out there: I used cool plus warm lights through the veg period and switched to all warm for the flowering. good or not so good?
 
I'm actually doing it now on my 2 new plants I started growing. This is my 8th indoor grow and I can see a big difference in the grow on the lower belly of the plant. Its actually much thicker and even looks more healthy. I've used CFL's for all the grows and I'm hoping the side lighting will give me more than just tiny popcorn buds on the lower part of the plant.
 
It will help you for sure. There are people that grow only using side lights with spinners on there plants. I just do both without the spinners to get the most out of each plant. Its worth the time to do. you will be happy you did.
 
thanks for that. it's what I did for my last grow, but I switched to all 2400K during late stages of flowering.

good idea or not? did you run both bulbs all the way through?
 
I like side lighting, but its effectiveness depends on your situation. If you have a bushy plant that is soaking up all the top light side lighting can benefit by removing shadows helping you get a little more yield out of a plant without having to trim away as much bottom fluff. It must be a good distance away in order to be effective though. If using different spectrum for fluorescent I like to mix 1 2500k with 3 6500k for veg and the opposite for bloom.

I have run 100w side lighting (4 25w single t5 tubes in each corner) in a 2x2 and a 2x3 and the effect in the 2x3 was less than in the 2x2, so keep that in mind, but that was also low wattage. Also in such a limited space like this, side lighting will cut down your usable footprint.

I have seen LED side lighting in someones grow on here, however I would think if it was a more powerful unit it would be better from the top, I like fluorescent for side lighting because they cut down on shadows and I think it is more to even out and supplement the top penetration, not provide it on its own.
Just my 2 cents.
 
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