Airy buds a product of more genetics or poor light?

Just harvested my first two plants. Both were likely sativa dominant bagseeds but I have no way of knowing for sure. I know sativas tend to be less dense buds but I wanted to ask in case I can improve something and the autos I have in my tent currently won’t turn out the same.

I do need to upgrade my lights without question just haven’t had the funds for a proper one. I have a cheap full spec “600w” led that outputs about 106watts. Also tried to supplement as much as possible so I have a regular 4 ft soft white led that’s 3200 lumens and outputs 30watts. Then also put 3 of those metal hood clamp lights with 8 watt led “plant” bulbs.

Altogether around 140-150 watts LED in about a 2x3 space maybe?

Here are some pictures of the buds on their 4th day of hang drying at 70°F and 50-58% RH


If I upgraded my lights would it have impacted how they turned out much or is it mostly a genetic thing?

Thinking of ordering this tonight if anyone thinks it would be worth it, it would add about 130 watts.
ViparSpectra 300w LED
Or if anyone has suggestions for lights around $100.

Could be either, could be both. You definitely want a light upgrade. Check out HLG or even some of the similar lights from other manufacturers. Spyderfarmer is one. Look for lm301b or lm301h. In a 2x3 I would say around 200 watts.

So the 300w viparspectra isnt equivalent to a 300w hps? I mean besides abnormalities, I know you need to check your own light especially cheap leds but if the light were working correctly, it would be more than 130w, correct?

GanjaGreg. said:

So the 300w viparspectra isnt equivalent to a 300w hps? I mean besides abnormalities, I know you need to check your own light especially cheap leds but if the light were working correctly, it would be more than 130w, correct?

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Absolutely not. Not even close.
Vipar is roughly watt for watt the same equivalent wattage as an hid. In other words you will likely need the same wattage as an HID, although maybe slightly less.

Higher efficiency LEDs are what you want if you are looking to use less watts with LED.

HLG is your best option. I know because I’ve used the blurples, go with HLG it’ll pay for itself in the end.

Opie1971 said:

HLG is your best option. I know because I’ve used the blurples, go with HLG it’ll pay for itself in the end.

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True. I've had my lights for a few years and still going strong. No buying bulbs for me.

GanjaGreg. said:

So the 300w viparspectra isnt equivalent to a 300w hps? I mean besides abnormalities, I know you need to check your own light especially cheap leds but if the light were working correctly, it would be more than 130w, correct?

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Basically how I think it works is when it says 300w it means how many watts the diodes could handle but it actually draws around 130 watts so that they last longer. Don’t quote me but that’s my understanding.

So I’ve found these three..
Which would be the best for the price?
HLG 100 $150
MarsHydro TS 600w $80
Spider Farmer SF1000 $160

HitemwiththeHine said:

Absolutely not. Not even close.
Vipar is roughly watt for watt the same equivalent wattage as an hid. In other words you will likely need the same wattage as an HID, although maybe slightly less.

Higher efficiency LEDs are what you want if you are looking to use less watts with LED.

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I think that’s what I said, the 300w viper is equivalent to the a 300w hps even though the led is only pulling 135w from the wall, saving you money on your power bill. Sorry if I’m acting slow but I thought that the 300w is what the light is putting out to the plant, and the 135w is what the light is pulling from the wall. If a “300w led”is actually equivalent to a 135w hps where do they even get the 300 number from??? Again sorry if I sound dumb I’m kind of new to this, but I feel like I have a good grasp some of the basics.

GanjaGreg. said:

I think that’s what I said, the 300w viper is equivalent to the a 300w hps even though the led is only pulling 135w from the wall, saving you money on your power bill. Sorry if I’m acting slow but I thought that the 300w is what the light is putting out to the plant, and the 135w is what the light is pulling from the wall. If a “300w led”is actually equivalent to a 135w hps where do they even get the 300 number from??? Again sorry if I sound dumb I’m kind of new to this, but I feel like I have a good grasp some of the basics.

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No. I mean real watts. 130 watts of Vipar/blurple is equilavent to 130 watts of hid. If you want to match A 300 watt HID, you need a 300 "real watts" blurple/Vipar.