CFL or HPS?

[DeeDouble]

Hi guys

This is my 1st grow. Im currently using 1x 60w cfl for my seedlings. They have grown pretty well in my tent . I was wondering when will it be a good time to start using my 600w hps. My temp average is about 78f and 50-55 humidity. Things are going well, i was thinking of leaving the 160cfl for another week and then putt the 600w on but far from my plants. Its been about 3 weeks since iv germinated them from seed (wet papertowel method) and they have grown well i guess. Green and healthy.

[silent leprechaun]

I guess after 3 weeks it would be fine. Maybe let them veg another while under the HPS.

Try to keep the nodes at 1 inch apart, so keep the light close enough to prevent stretching but not too close as to burn.

I normally wait until the plants are about 12 - 18 inches tall before flowering. But that is entirely up to you and your grow area.

Maybe you could post some pictures.

[DeeDouble]

Yeah they are pretty tall i guess due as iv left the cfl about 15-20cms away from the small plants. They have approx 6 leaves each and due to my fan giving them a low breeze some of the stems are a little weak i think??? . Temps fine and so is humidity. So i guess its cos im useing the cfl 160w lamp still. Cfl worked well in the 1st stage of growth but now im thinking this weekend put on the 600w hps but from a distance approx 1 mtre. What do you think. And iv also been running 24 lights and 2nyt iv changed them to 18/6 after 3 weeks coming straight from germination in soil.

[DeeDouble]

Il get some pics asap not happin at tha mo guys!! Sorry!!

[silent leprechaun]

I think you need a certain amount of post to be allowed to post pictures. It might be 50 or something.. Maybe 20...

You need to give me the height of the plants and the node spacing. 6 leaves as in 3 nodes ? Not sure what you are speaking about. If they are very tall with 3 nodes the light is too far away and making them stretch towards the light. This gives thin stems. If you bend the stems yourself once a day that will help strengthen them too. But dont break them !

With the HPS watch what the plants are telling you. If the nodes are too tight the light is too close, if they are over an inch then move the light closer.

Take care

[DeeDouble]

Yeah 3 nodes and they look healthy n green, plants are about 10 cm tall. Iv had my cfl too far i guess as they have kinda stretched. How close should i put the cfl light to the plants. Its 160w. Can i use my hps yet. And if so how far from plants do i keep it!

[how2growsensi]

yea give them 18 hrs of light when you changing from cfl. you will be very happy with a n hps veg

[DeeDouble]

Cheers! Will the 600w dual spectrum do well in veg cycle while plants are stil young. I was told they shoud b okay as long as i putt them approx 1 mtre away. Iv now changed to 18/6