My mature plants are on 12/12 lights, where to put my clones?

[tonski]

Hi all,
I have built a drip system and I am using 1 metal halide and 1 high pressure sodium lamps at 400W each. I have cut clones and keep them outside the system under 2x60W fluorescent lamps.
The problem is that the mature plants in the system are in the flowering stage at 12/12 light cycle and need several (6 or more) weeks, and the little clones need at least 18/6 cycle for their grow stage and I feel that the fluorescent lamps are not enough any more. I can not put the clones in the system because they are too little to be put at 12/12 light cycle and go into flowering stage. I am stuck with this problem. Please anyone who has experienced similar issue to post his/her solution. Please, excuse my ignorance and thanks!

tonski Reviewed by tonski on 04-01-2008. My mature plants are on 12/12 lights, where to put my clones? Hi all, I have built a drip system and I am using 1 metal halide and 1 high pressure sodium lamps at 400W each. I have cut clones and keep them outside the system under 2x60W fluorescent lamps. The problem is that the mature plants in the system are in the flowering stage at 12/12 light cycle and need several (6 or more) weeks, and the little clones need at least 18/6 cycle for their grow stage and I feel that the fluorescent lamps are not enough any more. I can not put the clones in the Rating: 5

[stinkyattic]

Your big questions are these:
-How much other space do you have in your home?
-How hidden do your plants have to be?

Clones don't need much space or light, and they don't require the same ventilation as mature plants. The top shelf of your closet, with one small CFL hanging from the ceiling by a hook, is more than adequate- in fact, it's preferable to have a space like a closet that is insulated against changes in temperature.
I've rooted clones on the back of the crapper before. My friends have learned to ignore the greenery.

[tonski]

Stinkyattic, many thanks for the reply! My concern is that the clones would not grow well under the CFL for so long (6 weeks at least) until I harvest the matures in the main system and move the clones there.

[stinkyattic]

If you start seeing them turning pale, you'll want to add more light, put them in proper soil and start feeding them lightly. I start my clones on a foliar feed, usually at the 3rd week after they have been removed from the mother, when they are starting to lose lower leaves.
Doing this, you will actually be getting close to what a lot of experienced growers like- running a 2-room system (24/0 clone/mother and 12/12 flower), which draws constant electricity from month to month and give you greater efficiency using your space and available lights.

[LOC NAR on probation]

They got me with a 3 room setup. stinkyattic. Flower, clone and veg. Biggest room was only 4x6 feet.

But I am getting close to being free to move to another state.

[tonski]

Thanks stinkyattic, you've been so helpful. I will use your advice. Cool avatar

[tonski]

LOC NAR can you tell me the difference between your rooms?

[stinkyattic]

I can tell you a basic 3-room setup if you like.
First is the room where you keep your clones, or seedlings if you grow from seed. It can be no more than an unused cabinet or shelf in a closet. The most important thing is that the temperature and humidity stay constant and even. You don't need much light, and the temps should be at 75-80'F at all times. Leaving the light cycle on 24/0 helps even out temperature. If you are running clones, just a single small CFL is enough. If you are growing from seed, a T5 fixture is better, but the plants would only live under it for a couple weeks and you might as well just stick them in the veg room instead if you don't want to spend the $$$.

Next is the room where you 'veg' plants until you think they are big enough to flower. A good size light for an average home grower in a veg room should have a footprint of about a 4x4 foot square, total. This gives space for a couple big mother plants, and the rooted clones or seedlings to grow healthy and strong before flipping to 12/12. You will want a 400 watt Metal Halide for everything, or a 250w MH for your moms and a couple T12 or T8 flourescent shop lights hung quite low over the plants for the rooted clones. I use the 400 for my large mothers and for stretching new cuttings that I want to tunr into moms, and shop lights for my smaller moms that I just let sit there until needed. I've been vegging under shop lights since I started growing and have been perfectly satisfied with the results. 2 4-foot, 2-bulb fixtures will give GREAT light over a 2' x 4' space.

Last, your flower room should have about 3x the watts that your veg area had. It needs to be TOTALLY light proof, well ventilated, and have good electrical outlets on at least a 20A breaker. If you are running a 400 or 250+flouro veg area, a 1000w HPS or 2x 600wHPS are perfect. 2 600s are more efficient but initial investment is lower with a k.

Hope that helps?

[tonski]

Stinkyattic, you rule!
Currently I have this installation - big wardrobe (LxDxH) 6,6x2,2x7,2 feet with 1x400W MH and 1x400W HPS lamps, 2 sucking-in fans on the sides and 2 exhaust fans at the roof, just over the lamps. I have built a hydroponic drip system which is constantly running. My media is rockwool cubes, partially burried in keramzit. The inside of the wardrobe is covered with aluminum foil (couldn't find any mylar where I live). This is my main (and only) room and I grow 16 plants there which I started from seeds. Now is their 3rd week after sprouting and they're about 1,2f high and growing really well and healthy. Outside the wardrobe have set up 2x60W fluorescent tubes under which i keep the clones in a transparent plastic box with a lid (as a food box for fridge only bigger). For humidity in the box I use one friend's (grows mushrooms) idea. In a smaller plastic box filled with water and placed above the big one I have put an ultrasound vaporizer (or mistmaker) they use in small home fountains. The small box is connected with the big one with a tube 1,5cm wide, and the mist goes through that tube to the clones box. In fact I am very proud with my installation (I've grown outdoors for 3 years, never indoors until now). Tomorrow I will make photos and I will post them.
It seems that I only lack the veg room, but I don't have enough space for it and maybe have to think a solution without it.
I only do not know how much time the clones can live in the clonebox (which is rather small) and how big they could become. Guess will have to came up with a bigger box.

[stinkyattic]

Tonski, you don't really need a veg room if you have a mother somewhere who can provide you with clones to fill your box. You can just go ahead and put the rooted clones in your box under JUST the MH on 24/0 for the first 2 weeks and then flip the lights back to 12/12, adding the HPS, for a nice Sea of Green. You haven't been able to do it that way yet because you need a source of identical female clones but if you are confident about cloning already, all you need is ONE decent sized mom under a light in a spare corner to provide all the cuttings you need.