It is now 2022. It's funny reading through this post almost several years after it was posted. LEDs have clearly taken over the growing industry. Both large scale and recreational growers have realized the amount of money one can save with LEDs is insane. Advantages don't stop with just saving money... LEDs are less labor intensive and easier to maintain. Heat and temperature suddenly become an afterthought which in turn lightens up the need for a high dollar exhaust setup. LEDs are most definitely "The Bees Knees"! Back in 2016 when this post originated, LEDs were just beginning to get good. Growers that have been doing it for 30 years who have mastered their craft so to speak were hesitant to make the switch. Especially those who depended on their crop for household income. The phrase "If it's not broke then don't fix it" is a hard lesson to give up when the technique you have perfected produces incredible results that your customers have come to depend on and appreciate. In 2016, recreational growers were using LEDS with exceptional results. They were growing good, high quality pot and pulling respectable yields that almost rivaled their HPS grows. The benefits were certainly there, but it would take a few brave large scale, well known growers to fully take the leap and make the switch for the industry to fully recognize the benefits of LEDs. On a large scale, the ups of growing with a 100% LED operation come around full circle within the first grow. From maintenance and cost to yield and quality... The benefits are extraordinary and are easily noticed because of the scale and size of the grow. This doesn't mean that HPS and other older lighting mediums are obsolete. If you are having success with your HPS grows and you enjoy using this method then by all means do not throw away your expensive setup and buy all new equipment. Do whatever it is that you love to do and don't let anyone else tell you different. There's nothing I hate more than a grower telling another grower they are stupid for not using LEDs or vice versa. Especially if the other grower produces exceptional product. Aside from recreational growers, I do believe that HPS and other old lighting mediums will eventually become extinct. It may already be that way. I can't tell you the last time I saw a large scale HPS operation or grow. Oh well... As long as Canabis doesn't become extinct I'll be OK!
