How to Choose the Right Lighting for your Indoor Garden

Indoor growing has become easier over the years because of many contributing factors- having more efficient lighting options being one! Grow lights allow you to grow a wide variety of plants at any time during the year. They are designed to substitute natural light to activate photosynthesis. Choosing the correct light where your plants can thrive is dependent on providing the right color spectrum. With the right lighting, you can have incredible strawberries even when they are not in season. By learning how to use lights and fixtures you can select the perfect lighting system that is right for your plants.

Grow Bulb vs Lighting Fixture- Are you looking to substitute an existing light with a grow bulb? Or are you interested in buying a brand-new light fixture? Depending on whether you are looking for convenience or cost, our Grow Kings store offers a specialized selection for lighting. If you are looking to grow your plants on the cheaper side, we suggest purchasing grow bulbs. For most people, this is the easier option because you can simply unscrew your old bulb and replace it with a grow bulb that is made specifically for your plants. On the other hand, a more holistic solution for lighting is to purchase a grow light fixture. These lights are more expensive but can provide illumination for multiple plants at a time. Grow light fixtures are designed to disperse light evenly throughout your grow space and provide a fuller light spectrum than grow bulbs.

Sun System® HPS 150 Grow Light Fixture

Color- Providing the proper spectrum light to your plants is needed to achieve photosynthesis. Before purchasing a light, make sure to view the provided color spectrums listed. Although lights have a variety of colors, we suggest a full spectrum system for your grow space. When you are growing outside, the sunlight contains the complete spectrum of light including all the colors in the rainbow. Just as plants outdoors need the complete spectrum of light so do plants indoors. Indoor plants grow best under full-spectrum bulbs because they produce a balance of cool and warm light. 

Fluorescent vs Led- Both fluorescent lights led lights to produce full-spectrum light. However, LED lights may be a cheaper option. LED grow lights emit low heat and offer the ideal light spectrum range. They are effective, customer-friendly, and offer the latest technology on the market. High tech LED lights are calibrated for indoor growing and use half the electricity of fluorescent lights. If you are looking for an eco-friendly option, led lights are the way to go. They are great for your plants and great for the ecosystem!

AgroLED® Sun® 28 & Sun® 48 LED Fixture

Placement- The placement of your grow bulbs or fixtures should be determined by the intensity of which your plants will receive light. Every plant differs in its need for light intensity. Many plants such as orchids, gardenias, and vegetables require a much higher light intensity than that of a flower or fruit would need. Hanging lights over the plant beds help your plants flourish because they mimic natural sunlight, and allow your plants to be exposed on all sides. As your plants develop, constantly adjust the placement of your lights to maintain a proper distance.

Duration- Now that you have your lights, I bet you are wondering how long should you leave them on? Different plants require different amounts of light durations. No matter what types of plants you are growing, you must make sure they have time to rest. At night, plants break down their energy for growth in a process called "respiration." Respiration is a vital part of their growing process. Check your plant's tags or packaging to understand the specific light suggestions. Also, make sure to turn off your lights every once in a while! We suggest using a power strip that has a timer to set the correct duration.

Have more lighting questions? Our Grow King experts have the knowledge and tools available to help your plants flourish. Give us a call at (734) 404-6022 or visit our website to see our lighting options.

Advantages of Growing Plants in a Greenhouse

Greenhouses have come a long way since the Ancient Romans. In the 13th century, Ancient Romans began to use greenhouses in order to allow sunlight to travel indoors for study and medical plants. Commonly only used for wealthy citizens, greenhouses are now used for anyone with the desire to start their own business or learn new methods of growing plants. Greenhouses are structured to protect plants from heat, cold, and extend a plants growing season. The idea behind the greenhouse is to keep the heat in to allow the flow of thermal energy out. As the sunlight from the greenhouse passes through its translucent walls it radiates warmth into the air. A greenhouse is essential in helping to regulate the heat in the air because too much heat will cause many problems. 

Extends Your Grow Season- Every plant or vegetable has a season in which they flourish. Investing in a greenhouse gives you the opportunity to provide and produce a variety of plants that may be out of seasons such as exotic flowers or tropical fruit. This gives you the advantage to provide wide availability of products in times of low supply. Not having to worry about external elements gives you a head start on providing the best growing environment for your plants.

Minimize Outdoor Threats- There is nothing worse than walking outside to adore your newly sprouted plants and realize there is a squirrel turning it into a salad. A major advantage of a greenhouse means that you no longer have to battle animals, insects or the introduction of diseases.

Protect Plants from Bad Weather- Even in the best-tailored garden, bad weather is the enemy of healthy growing plants. Bad weather such as thunderstorms, blizzards, and high winds can cause major damage to your plants. Having a greenhouse offers your greenery extra protection against outdoor elements.

Appeal- A greenhouse is also known as a “Glasshouse.” We must admit that having a greenhouse can sometimes add an aesthetic to your home. It offers you a great place where you can reduce your stress levels, relax, and even teach your family how to grow plants.  You will be able to do what you love planting indoors and enjoy the living force of nature around you.

Having a greenhouse can be a great investment when done correctly. If your greenhouse is properly maintained, you can decrease your grocery bill by growing your own food and increase your income by saving money! You will be able to reap the benefits of your protected produce all year long indoors. Make sure to research all of your options before committing to one style or method. Our Grow Kings are dedicated to helping you have a successful growing experience. So if you are interested in what a greenhouse can do for you, contact our experts today or give us a call at 734-404-6022

7 Things To Know Before Growing Cannabis

Are you interested in growing your cannabis indoors? Like all gardening, growing cannabis is a skill that requires having a green thumb. Learning to grow cannabis can be easy to learn but can take a long time to be mastered. We understand that for beginners growing cannabis can be intimidating. Here are 7 things to know before deciding to grow cannabis that will help alleviate your fears!

1. Don’t be afraid- Just Start

The best way to learn how to grow cannabis is just to do it! The fear of growing is the first thing that prevents people from a successful harvest. Although the research is important, most people get caught in questions about which method to use. Let face it, research is not a 100% guarantee that ensures a successful harvest. The best way to be knowledgeable about growing cannabis is to have firsthand experience. Your experiences will teach you something important with each grow, allowing you to get better results each time.

2. Understand the Fundamentals

You don’t have to be a cannabis mastermind to start your grow, it is important to understand the basic concepts of cannabis. Before getting started, make sure to get your hands on a grow kit to get the ball rolling. Here are some basic facts to know

• Understanding the Life Cycle: There are 3 phases of the cannabis life cycle: Seedling phase, vegetative phase, and the flowering phase.
• Understanding the Nutrients: Nutrients & supplements are a common cost while growing cannabis. If you are deciding to grow for the first time, finding the right nutrients can be very confusing. Every brand has a different combination of nutrients that are optimal for every stage of growth. Many factors in having proper nutrients for your grow are the ingredients, ratio, soil, hydroponics, & supplements. If you are not sure about which nutrients to use for your plants, our Grow King experts are there to guide you along the way. (provide examples of products )
• Understanding the Strain: As a new grower, it is important to understand the genetics of the cannabis plant. Understanding these factors play a huge role in how your plants grow. Consider critical factors such as how tall will the plant grow? How quickly should my plant grow? What color should my plants be? How should my plant's smell & taste? If you want to ensure your plants grow the correct way, then understand how your plant is expected to grow. Another important tip is to choose a strain from a trusted breeder to make sure that your plant will be stabilized.

3. Understand the Cost

The average cost of starting a cannabis grow room is not cheap! Indoor grows can be expensive because every variable of your plant must be controlled. Factors to consider while starting an indoor grow are the use of electricity, systems for temperature, and humidity control. While it can be more pricey than outdoor grows, controlling the environment of your plants will lead to higher quality plants.

4. Choosing the right grow space

If you plan to grow indoors, choosing the right grow space is essential for cannabis plants. Indoor growing has several benefits, therefore, you need to make sure you invest in the right equipment.

• Grow Lights: The first thing you need to consider are grow lights. The cost of grow lights will depend on the number of plants you plan to harvest. GrowKings has a wide selection of grow lights to fit your needs. Whether you need something budget-friendly or top of the line, your lighting plays a vital role in the nourishment of your plants.
• Ventilation: Growing indoors requires the temperature of your space to be regulated. While grow lights are essential, allowing them to get too hot indoors can cause critical issues. Before deciding to grow your cannabis, we highly recommend including fans, humidifiers and ventilation systems.

5. Monitoring

When you are new to growing cannabis, it is vital to keep tabs on the progress of your plants. Take photos to document your plants weekly to document their growth and progress. Make sure to note the details such as light scheduling, nutrients, & any unwanted infestations.

• Harvest time: Before you start your cannabis grow, you want to make sure that you recognize the signs of harvest time. To do so, you must know the stages of harvest and how the effect the potency of your buds. Buds that are harvested at different times each have a different effect when used.
• Curing: Curing is an important part of the entire process. Curing is a process in which you are drying your plant to store for a longer period. Once your buds come to harvest, you need to know how to trim, dry, cure, and store them efficiently.

6. Understanding warning signs

If you plan to master cannabis growing, then know the signs of infestation and/or deficiency. If your cannabis plant is not exposed to the right amount of light and water to grow properly, they lose their integrity & potency. Spotting these warning signs early will help you avoid devastation to your grow. Familiarize yourself with your plant's nutrition to prevent further damages.

7. Know the law

By law, the state of Michigan states that people can grow up to 12 cannabis plants per household. The plants are required to be placed indoors or outside in a locked enclosure that is not easily visible in public areas. Please note that growing cannabis on rental properties is subject to landlord approval.

So there it is!

Now you have a head start on all of the tips you need to know before starting to grow your own cannabis! What you will decide? Order your seeds and get started!