has anyone grown w/ only CFL's

Marc, I agree that it is fun to discuss theories.

I understand your point about diminishing returns with the CFL lighting reflectivity.

But you basic statement is incoorect when you say, "...if we think that the light from cfl's is pretty much junk after a few inches...".

I am certainly not one that thinks that.

Emphasis is placed on the close proximity between light source and plant top with CFL lighting, only because WE CAN get that close.

However, that doesnt mean the light is useless if it is not that close, or, useless once it has passed its destination, or has been absorbed.

Since the CFL's are able to be kept cool, we simply take advantage of that and move the lights closer and hence recieve optimal node length and compact foilage.

The light returning from the reflective source is critical, even though it may not be directly involved in growing substantial vegetation.

Having the reflection, that is impossible to get with black walls, aids in lighting the undersides of the foilage, and also penetrates the canopy.

While this may not serve as ample lumens to grow large leaves, it still provides the plant leaves with the energy it needs to power the entire plant as a whole.

Plants use light as their power source...so even though the reflected light may not shine as bright as the source....having the light there PREVENTS defoilage later on when the canopy has become too dense to allow ample light penetration.

You should definitley have the entire grow room be one massive reflective area. The light will bounce indefinitely until the light energy has been dissapated into another energy form.

Having them there will do more to PREVENT DEATH or light deprivation than anything else, but it also, powers the ENTIRE plant by providing needed light to all foilage.

That alone is worth their value and demand their useage when appropriate...ie...when flowering :)

Other thoughts?

damn dude. you really know your shit. did you learn all this by trial and error, or did you research and look up everything you know?

"But you basic statement is incoorect when you say, "...if we think that the light from cfl's is pretty much junk after a few inches..."."

I base that off of comments that from 0-12 inches hps light is supposedly the same as far as what it gives the plant. Makes no difference if it's 1" or 12" the result is the same. Theoritically. But then move away to 48" and the benefit is far reduced. Only makes sense then that the further you move away OR the more/further the light has to be reflected till it gets back to the plant, the less benefit it will have. Yes, it may still have some purpose, or is it just overkill? By that I suggest that the plant may get all the light it can use through the direct lighting source and reflected light might just be like pouring water on a fire already extinguished. Doesn't put it out any more than it already is. Just wastes water.

It would be interesting to do some research, just to learn, to see what the lumens were at various distances on reflected light i.e. the light starts out at 10,000 lumens goes 2 feet and bounces off a piece of mylar and what are the lumens when it get's back to the point of origin? I now it may not matter, but when I get into something/anything...such as horticulture...this time...I start trying to figure it out way more than may be necessary to participate in whatever it is I'm doing. Just my nature. Probably why I've invented a number of "things" and made my living off selling one of those designs for 15 years. But of course if I told you what that product was, you might be able to figure out who "Marc Benson" really is. ;)

"Having the reflection, that is impossible to get with black walls, aids in lighting the undersides of the foilage, and also penetrates the canopy."

Which of course means that side lighting IS of benefit. I've heard 'some' people suggest it wasn't.

Seems like light may be like an injector. It sprays a mist of fuel to be combusted but it's not just the most dense part of the spray (the direct light) that does it all, but also the tiny little micro particles of fuel (the reflected light) that combine with the main spray to get the job done (grow giant resin encrusted monster colas). And without the micro particles it just doesn't work as well. ;)

But your comments make sense and I appreciate your time spent responding and your expertise.

Other thoughts? Yep! And time to go ponder many of them while studying the backs of my eyelids. Later.