Environmental StressSerious
Light Burn on Cannabis
Light burn happens when your grow light is too intense or too close. It bleaches top leaves white-yellow and can ruin cola tips.
What it looks like
- ●Top leaves turning yellow or bleached white (starts at tips)
- ●Damage only on leaves closest to the light
- ●Buds may bleach white instead of maturing
- ●Foxtailing (new bud growth from cola tops)
Quick diagnostic checks
1Raise the light 4 inches as first move
2Use a PPFD meter or app to confirm intensity
3Target: 600-800 μmol in veg, 800-1000 in flower (no CO2)
Causes ranked by likelihood
1. LED too close to canopy
Most commonSigns
- ●Light within 18" of canopy on a 3000K+ LED
- ●PPFD above 1000 at canopy
Fix
- ✓Raise LED to 18-24" from canopy
- ✓Dim to 75-80% if your light has a dimmer
- ✓Measure PPFD with a meter or app
⚠️When to worry
Light-bleached buds are unsellable. Fix before flower for best results.
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