Quote Originally Posted by jdsoil
I am filling a 2x4ft screen with one plant and am using CFL's placed about 2 inches from the trained canopy. Currently I am running 12-26 watt CFL's @6500K for veg.
I plan on upgrading the lights to 18 - 26watt CFL's (9-3000K and 9-6500K) for a mixed spectrum for flowering. I did the math and the total lumen output for the 18 bulb setup would be 28,800 lumens. Figure in my square footage (8sq. ft.) and it equals out to 3600L/1sq.ft. I know the optimum goal is for 5000L/1sq.ft. But is this desired amount for freestanding plants that require canopy penetration?
Also, does this factor in the inverse square law?
Will I be able to get any dense buds with this limited lighting with my scrog setup? Remember, I have my light fixture only 2-4 inches away from the even canopy.

What should I expect?:jointsmile:

FYI- I will be upgrading to a 400watt hps after this grow.
Any seasoned CFLer's/SCROGer's out there?

in answer to your most important question, i'd say very definately yes, you will
get some very nice buds.

the only suggestion i'd make at this point is to remind you that your plants
need both red and blue light during all stages of life. so adding some 2700K
bulbs to your vegging period would be a good thing.
and when you flower, make it about a 3 to 1 ratio, red to blue.

come check out my garden, you can see some buds of mine that came from
CFL's only.