Craft Farmer UnderCanopy Light - (Case of 2)

UnderCanopy Standard Operating Procedures

by Craft Farmer 

Super heavy plant density is not necessary when using Under Canopy lights. A better approach is to maintain a balance between canopy and plant density, ensuring more airflow and buds throughout the plant. This method reduces the chances of mold issues.

It is suggested to run 3 lights per 4x4 or 4x5 area. All the results posted online are based on running these 3 lights per 4’ of bench. Running 2 lights per 4’ will also yield great results.

For optimal results, Craft Farmer advises running 9 plants per 4’ of table per 3 Under Canopy lights. It is preferred to use 4’ wide benches over 5’ because the same number of plants (9) are used per 5x4. So, for every 8’ of bench, there are 18 plants. This has been found to be the best approach for maximizing bud and large flower growth below the canopy. If a decision is made to run more plants (12 per 4’ of bench), a light skirt and heavier defoliation are recommended. Under Canopy lights will work for any style of cultivation. Adding more plants can yield more weight, but it may increase risk factors like PM and mold.

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When adding Under Canopy light, consider the Daily Light Integral (DLI). DLI describes the number of photosynthetically active photons delivered to a specific area over a 24-hour period. By adding Under Canopy lights, you are adding 360 watts (if running 3 lights). This allows you to run your overhead lights for 11 hours on and 13 hours off, saving more energy and money than what you were paying before using Under Canopy lights.

1. Day 1 of flowering stage: Install a 3-level trellis. This trellis is crucial for supporting the lower branches that will bear heavy flowers.
2. Day 7 of flowering stage: Remove the lower few leaves and any small, weak branches. This will expose your drippers, making them easily visible.
3. Day 14 of flowering stage: Increase the EC (Electrical Conductivity) by 0.3 to 0.5. Do this before installing lights and turning on the Under Canopy lights. Start reducing the EC again on Day 41, after the second leaf removal.
4. Day 16 of flowering stage: Install and turn on the Under Canopy lights. This helps to minimize sprays and power consumption.
5. Between Day 19 and 21 of flowering stage: If necessary, perform a light cleanup at the base of the plant, exposing 6 to 10 inches above the grow medium. Remove all large stem leaves and medium fan leaves. This should account for about 60 to 65% of the leaves on the plant. Do not pluck the leaves; instead, remove the entire leaf and stem.
6. Day 41 of flowering stage: Perform a major leaf removal in the canopy. The goal is to remove all large fan leaves up the plant to improve airflow.
7. Until the end of harvest: Keep the Under Canopy lights on.

Remember, each plant is unique and may require slight adjustments to this schedule. Always monitor your plants closely and adjust as necessary. Happy gardening!