JUST use HPS through the Vegetative and Flowering stages???

[Harrison3o4]

I would like a good solid debate as to why "we" (as in most growers) use Medal Halide apposed to High Pressure Sodium during the vegetative state.

I have seen very nice looking plants that have been grown solely on a HPS Globe. Some people will say "well if it had been a MH globe, it would have been WAY BETTER" but I don't know if I am completely sold...

I also heard that if HPS is used during Veg growth that the plant stretches and is lanky. This makes no since... Because the reason a plan stretches is to get closer to (or enough) light when a HPS clearly out powers a HPS by nearly 200% (Lumens)

That being said, is the bluish spectrum the ONLY reason you should use a MH vs. HPS during the Veg stage?

Seems to me that one should use HPS only and put a blue gel over the hood.... What do you think?????:question:

Harrison3o4 Reviewed by Harrison3o4 on 07-15-2008. JUST use HPS through the Vegetative and Flowering stages??? I would like a good solid debate as to why "we" (as in most growers) use Medal Halide apposed to High Pressure Sodium during the vegetative state. I have seen very nice looking plants that have been grown solely on a HPS Globe. Some people will say "well if it had been a MH globe, it would have been WAY BETTER" but I don't know if I am completely sold... I also heard that if HPS is used during Veg growth that the plant stretches and is lanky. This makes no since... Because the reason a Rating: 5

[Revanche21]

I believe the MH spectrum is actually better.

However, the HPS bulb lasts twice as long and tends to be cheaper(? <--)

My grow was a mostly HPS only grow, check it out in my sig!

[blink_inc]

Veggin under HPS is using a lot of hydro that is not required.
Why push 400W or more when 4 x 24W CFL's will do the same thing.

[stinkybudz]

DO NOT QUOTE ME, this is my theory, if the plant sees the hps it thinks OMG IM LATE and starts growin ilke a motherfucker long and skinny because its the spectrum of late summer fall, while mh are like spring lights so the plant is content and grows nice and bushy :rasta:

[stinkyattic]

Interestingly enough, stinkybudz has a good point. Plants are quite sensitive to conditions that replicate seasonal changes in day length, and it stands to reason that light type and angle should play into that.
The clear blue spectrum light of a MH is what the plant needs when it is vegging. Lumens in the wrong spectrum are wasted lumens. You can get plenty of blue lumens from flourescents too, and if you plan to flower with a small HPS (under 600w), it makes more sense to veg under flouros, or a REALLY small MH (250w). Keep the equivalent watts ratio at 1:3 veg:flower.

[shadow218]

so wait stinky am i gonna have a problem if im using a 400w mh for veg and plan on using 400w hps for flowering?

[stinkyattic]

No, not a problem at all; it is simply that your use of electricity is most efficient at the 1:3 ratio. If you haven't purchased your flowering system yet, consider a larger light if space allows, or put BOTH your MH and HPS in the flower room. You can stuff up to 1200 watts in there and get the benefit of all that light. Again, your limiting factor is likely to be your ability to exhaust heat from a confined area.

[shadow218]

well im in a closet and as i do have 2 bulbs they both go to the same light and im kinda low budget and cant really afford another right now but i will be getting one later, another quick question, where can i find this neem you talk about to kill pests because i bought this organic pest killer from home depot for use with veggies and fruit and it doesnt seem to be keeping them away too well and just wondering if it matters if u transplant during the light or dark period of veg sorry to kinda hijack the thread i have a lot of questions, ill start my own thread with my grow room once my seedlings grow more and i get some cloans off of my lady shes looking soooo good tho , and by the way we live in the same state

[stinkyattic]

Cool. I'm in the end with the trees. Both kinds!

Okay, in a closet, don't try to add more light unless you can add more ventilation.
That stuff from home depot- is it called 'fungicide 3'? That is neem oil. It is not going to KILL pests, but it stops them from feeding and breeding.
Transplant during the light period so you can see your plants. Unless you own night vision goggles; in that case go right ahead.

[shadow218]

its called insecticidal soap it says the active ingredients are potassium salts of fatty acids 1% and other ingredients 99% but doesnt list the others it kinda is making me mad, and are there any transplanting guides around? i have already moved this plant through 2 transplants but im just wondering how careful i have to be because im gonna transplant it again today but i want to make sure that the roots are doing well without disturbing them