Episode 151: Light, Spectrum, and Plant Signals — A Practical Guide with Dr. David Hawley part 1

In this conversation, Tad and Dr. David Hawley (Chief Science Officer at Fluence) unpack what really matters when dialing in your lighting strategy for cannabis and other high-value crops. They get deep into how plants perceive light, what “good spectrum” actually means, and how to think about intensity, uniformity, and plant response in a more scientific (and practical) way. Topics covered include: Understanding Daily Light Integral (DLI) and how it relates to plant metabolism When to use far-red and what to expect from it The truth about UV lighting and secondary metabolite production Managing leaf temperature and avoiding hidden stress from high PPFD How fixture placement and uniformity impact yield and morphology Using dimming strategies through different growth stages Why overemphasizing spectrum specs can distract from the real gains Practical steps for mapping your grow and verifying performance David also shares insights on under-canopy lighting, canopy architecture, and the future of horticultural light design, offering takeaways for both commercial cultivators and serious home growers. Resources mentioned: Fluence by OSRAM KiS Organics Living Soil & Nutrients Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.