Does manifold/mainlining require different lighting?

Hello RIU,

Due to the structure of manifolding/mainlining per Nebula's guide, does it require any different type of light setup to optimize the results?
I currently scrog and aim for a flat canopy and lollipop, top, etc. and as a result even light distribution (typically LED) is required for all tops to flourish.
Typically, anything that is not a top either doesn't get enough light or removed as some might do it.

For mainlining/manifolding, I am attracted to it due to the scrogless setup and plant/person mobility. However, the structure on the surface and based on research does seem to keep more bud down the branch more so than scrog and would seem to require a light approach that is more focused on depth rather than width to optimize the technique. (even despite the inverse square law)

Is my assumption here accurate? (Please see attached pictures for reference)

Thanks!

no one?

xIPhobiaIx said:

Due to the structure of manifolding/mainlining per Nebula's guide, does it require any different type of light setup to optimize the results?

Click to expand...

No.

Great thread on mainlining here. Pre growweedeasy, and Nebula

No, about 30 w/sqft at 12-18” light height for good lights is all you’ll need. Go anything more and you’ll bleach the leaves from being too strong

You know, at first I thought this was a silly question. After thinking about it, it's a great question. Samsung diodes on a light bar would be great for a table top scrog setup, providing a great distribution of light across a sea of buds at relatively the same height. Would a fixture with COB lights penetrate better for a mainlined grow?

Jr5873 said:

You know, at first I thought this was a silly question. After thinking about it, it's a great question. Samsung diodes on a light bar would be great for a table top scrog setup, providing a great distribution of light across a sea of buds at relatively the same height. Would a fixture with COB lights penetrate better for a mainlined grow?

Click to expand...

My question exactly, I see a lot of people use HPS with this and I think that works due to better light depth (not volume). I read another guide on mainlining and they mentioned it is a depth technique (8 colas) rather than a volume technique (tabletop of buds).

You can get a scrogish tabletop with mainlining with 32 colas but than wouldn't it be better to scrog as less veg time impacted.

Even Nebula Haze mentions in the manifolding guide that the technique requires at least 3w chips, etc. and I thought could this be optimized even further like you said with for example COBs.

Doesn't require anything special, any modern high quality LEDs have more than enough penetration, think of it as identical to a scrog but without the net getting in the way.

xIPhobiaIx said:

My question exactly, I see a lot of people use HPS with this and I think that works due to better light depth (not volume). I read another guide on mainlining and they mentioned it is a depth technique (8 colas) rather than a volume technique (tabletop of buds).

You can get a scrogish tabletop with mainlining with 32 colas but than wouldn't it be better to scrog as less veg time impacted.

Even Nebula Haze mentions in the manifolding guide that the technique requires at least 3w chips, etc. and I thought could this be optimized even further like you said with for example COBs.

Click to expand...

With all that being said, I've grown really decent colas with a qb board fixture. You can check out some of my older pics on my IG account. @Manresa_Tree_Co