TIL the hard way that those fancy grow lights on Amazon are mostly garbage

Bought a set of three 'full spectrum' LED panels for $85 off Amazon. Looked great in the pics, had hundreds of reviews. Hooked them up over my winter herbs and within 2 weeks everything was leggy and pale. Checked the actual PAR output with a borrowed meter and it was barely enough for a desk lamp. Lost about $40 on the return shipping and a whole batch of basil and cilantro I was counting on for cooking. Anyone else find a brand of budget grow lights that actually works?

3 comments

3 Comments

fisher.adam1mo agoTop Commenter

Oh man, my buddy fell for the same thing and his seedlings looked like sad little strings.

murray.spencer1mo ago

Ah jeez, yeah, that stringy thing is usually from not enough light. I mean, people think putting them on a windowsill is enough but if it's not a south facing one they just stretch out like crazy. My first batch of tomatoes did the same thing, all pale and floppy. You basically gotta have a grow light or a really bright spot if you want them to stay thick and short.

gonzalez.reese1mo ago

Honestly this applies to so many things in life, not just plants, people just don't give stuff enough light and wonder why it's weak.