Help on lighting please

Hi everyone,

I have been growing my plants in my greenhouse during the summer, and they are now about 4 feet tall and I have just brought them indoors to flower. I am using 2 x 250W red spectrum CFL bulbs in an area about 5 x 5 feet. Can you tell me if this is enough light to get good results? They have just started a 12/12 cycle, and the room is dark otherwise. I am using CFL as headroom is a problem, and also heat buildup. I have noticed that the older leaves ae falling, and I think this is because of insufficient light near the bottom of the plants. I have a desk fan on them when the lights are on.

One more thing. I need to get some kind of reflective sheeting to section off that part of the room. Can anyone tell me what's best to use for this?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mygarden

Hi everyone,

I have been growing my plants in my greenhouse during the summer, and they are now about 4 feet tall and I have just brought them indoors to flower. I am using 2 x 250W red spectrum CFL bulbs in an area about 5 x 5 feet. Can you tell me if this is enough light to get good results? They have just started a 12/12 cycle, and the room is dark otherwise. I am using CFL as headroom is a problem, and also heat buildup. I have noticed that the older leaves ae falling, and I think this is because of insufficient light near the bottom of the plants. I have a desk fan on them when the lights are on.

One more thing. I need to get some kind of reflective sheeting to section off that part of the room. Can anyone tell me what's best to use for this?

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Aloha, MG

Thick mylar works, but it's noisy.

Best bet is "Panda Film."
White poly with black backing.
Both opaque and reflective.
Easy to work with, compared to mylar or tarp.

I'm sure you have reasons for bringing them indoors.
Cfls will do, but ya can't beat natural sun.:)

Good luck
Weezard

I brought them indoors cos I thought I had to! If I leave them in the greenhouse to flower, won't the weather be too cold by the time the day lengths get down to 12/12? Also, if they take around 8 weeks to flower, the day lengths will be really short be the time they are done. And with the weather we have been having here, really dull with little sunshine, is that enough to get a good crop?

I am now totally confused!:(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mygarden

I brought them indoors cos I thought I had to! If I leave them in the greenhouse to flower, won't the weather be too cold by the time the day lengths get down to 12/12? Also, if they take around 8 weeks to flower, the day lengths will be really short be the time they are done. And with the weather we have been having here, really dull with little sunshine, is that enough to get a good crop?

I am now totally confused!:(

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Didn't aim to confuse, just curious.
Then notice you were in the UK.
Makes more sense now.:thumbsup:
Dunno what you folks pay for electricity, but it's probably half what they gouge for in the tropics.
That, and we have SUNSHINE to burn. Long winter days as well.:)
Your weather is probably more like San Francisco.
I had to take some plants in when I lived there.
August is foggy and cold, then the rains start.

No worries. Give them girls some warmth, light and love.
They'll be just fine.
Could leave mine out all year, here.
Sad to say, with all these advantages, I still grow indoors, under LEDs.
Why?
Ripoffs. :mad: <sigh>
Nothin's perfect.
Any way we can help? Don't be shy.

Aloha
Weezard

Well, wherever you live, I want to move there!

In winter our days are about 8 hours long. Think I'll hibernate this year!

So do you reckon 500W CFL are enough?

Thanks for your help.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mygarden

Well, wherever you live, I want to move there!

In winter our days are about 8 hours long. Think I'll hibernate this year!

So do you reckon 500W CFL are enough?

Thanks for your help.

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Hibernate! Funny, you don't look Hibernian.:D

I'm guessing that you mean 500W equivalent.
That's still a lot of light.
Prolly do at least as well as 8 hours of gloomy and cold. :)

But, I'm no CFL guru. I'm one of the LED guys.
Bad advice is worse than no advice.

Bad advice could ruin a grow.
You'll have to wait for those who know.
Dey be 'roun' now, anytime.
He'p you out, don't cost a dime

There are some very solid people here.
(Ya readin' this Ms. Attic?)
Who will be happy to offer excellent advice, no charge:)

You will also find folks that, though clueless, will be eager to tell you exactly what to do.:wtf:

If you read through the FAQs on cancom, you'll be able to sort them out straight away.

In fact, If you read enough of this, you'll be one of the "solids".

Best of luck from Hawaii,
Weezard