What's more important, the light spectrum or the light cycle?

[Smorgus]

Hi guys and girls,

I understand that red spectrum on a 12/12 light cycle is good for flowering and budding, whilst 18/6 on blue spectrum is good for vegging.

However if I was to buy only one type of bulb either blue or red, can they be used in all stages of growth providing I ammend the light cycles?

If yes, then what would you go for spectrum wise blue or red? I am on a bit of a budget and if I can avoid buying two bulbs then this would be great.

Thanks,
J

[tinytoon]

red

[dooobster]

You can use either spectrum. I happen to veg AND flower under a 400 HPS, which gives off more of the red spectrum. No problems to report, other than moderate stretching at the beginning of flower.
I've read that if you mix both blue and red your plants will produce more resin, due to increased UVB exposure from the blue rays. :)

[tinytoon]

You can veg under either but it wont flower worth a beans without the red spectrum. So I vote again for Red.

[the image reaper]

I no longer use a metal halide, at all ... I use HPS from seed-to-harvest ... :smokin:

[Mississippi Steve]

I use CFLs... half 2800K, the other half 6800K...... works very much good

[VapedG13]

I no longer use a metal halide, at all ... I use HPS from seed-to-harvest ... :smokin:

:D I'm just the opposite.... I dont use a HPS at all... I use MH from clone to crop:hippy: usually yeild 6 -10 oz per plant depending on the strain
http://boards.cannabis.com/grow-log/169207-vapedg13-clones-direct-grow-purple-pre98-buba-kush-grand-dad-purple-sour-d.html


HPS and MH are run by different ballast.....You can get a HPS or a MH ballast..... and then just buy a conversion bulb

you will have the best of both worlds run by the same ballast

[Smorgus]

Thanks so much, I will be using a CFL set up and I shall buy the Red bulb for now and see how it goes, and when I get more money i'll invest in the blue.

:thumbsup: