Another CFL Question, All help appreciated

[EnhAnceD]

Hello everyone. This is my first grow, all help is greatly appreciated. From the beginning I did some research and thought I was getting the right info so I bought some lights, but after some more extensive looking I think I may have messed up. I got 2 40w/150w equiv cfl bulbs, they are 4700k cool white and together would put out 5200 lumens. Iv read that plants that are vegging work best under 5500k lights, or a bit higher and when I start budding I should use a lower bulb like 2700k. Either way, right now, im on day 3 and Im certain they are stretching using these lights. Maybe b.c for days 1 n 2 I had the lights about a foot away due to false info, I dont know. I have moved the lights closer 3-5 inches and as you can see in the pics I have 6 pots, maybe I just need more light?. My main question is, can I continue to use these 4700k coolwhite bulbs or should I go get some higher K daylight bulbs?I have encluded some photos. Let me know what you think.

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[camoxnhx]

Frist of all I'd like to say WELCOME! Now for answers to your questions. You are correct about the streaching due to the lights being a foot away. Now to get the most use from the lumes from your cfls keep the light 2-3 inchs from your plants. Now the lights will Surfice for the frist few weeks but investing in a few more will help alot. As far as the kelvin for veg and flowering you were correct but it never hurts to have more. Now when you get more cfls it won't hurt to mix up the daylght and warmlight gets the best of both worlds. Any other quesions ask away :)

[EnhAnceD]

camoxnhx, thanks for the advise, I actually lied, this is my second attempt at growing, the first time I had no special lights, i had them sittin on my kitchin table, and they stretched like crazy, I really had no idea what I was doing. these were some seeds I got in the bottom of my bag. So ya, I went out and got two 27watt 6500k clfls, and I put them in the middle, and used the two 40watt 4100k CoolWhites on the ends where my two more dominante germinated seeds are. I saw this video on youtube,YouTube - How To Build a CFL Grow Light Fixture - CHEAP! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs_QRorECvo&NR=1) But I cant find that dang dual socket, so ya, temps good, I got a heating pad in there I turn on every now and then, air circulation is good to. I think Im going to start one of those jurnal things.

[search1st]

Your plants may not notice much difference between the 4700K and 5500K bulbs. Next time, if available, buy the bluer bulbs (higher K temperature) for vegging, but either one will probably work fine.

And, yes, for flowering, use the reddest (lowest temperature K) bulb such as the 2700K bulb you mention.

With those larger pots, your sprouts may be spread out too much. Next time, germinate your seeds in smaller pots or even small plastic cups, set closer together. You can then place MORE light bulbs CLOSER together for greater light concentration over a smaller germinating area. After the seedlings have their third node (third pair of branches), they will be considered small plants, ready to transplant into larger pots (like those you are using now) for continued vegging.

With regular fluorescent TUBES, you can allow the leaves to even touch the bulb. Even though CFLs might be a bit hotter, you can certainly have the CFL within an inch or two or the top leaf. Worst case the part of the leaf closest to the CFL may burn. It will be obvious; so just move the light a little further to avoid burning. After you have a few plants (with a few more leaves!) you can experiment and verify for yourself whether touching the bulb will burn part of the leaf or not.

Providing more light than needed won't hurt unless the heat is too much for the plant. This is wasteful only electricity-wise and money-wise: the plants will simply not use any extra light they don't need. On the other hand, too little light will cause unwanted stretching and less vigorous growth. It might be best to err on the side of a little too MUCH light!

Other than that, you seem to be doing fine :thumbsup:, and your camera skills may well help you get better answers if problems develop or questions arise!

[EnhAnceD]

Well thanks very much for the information. I am currently very pleased with my current grow. I am at 5 days and they are getting there, I did mess up for days 1-2, so im a bit behind, but im working it. I started a grow log as well http://boards.cannabis.com/grow-log/171317-afgani-secret-closet-cfl-grow-first-real-attempt.html I will be posting pictures soon.

[EnhAnceD]

This is a test
http://boards.cannabis.com/grow-log/171317-afgani-secret-closet-cfl-grow-first-real-attempt.html