MH vs. HPS

[sergentjunk]

Ok...a good friend of mine and I started growing at the same time. We both do a good amount of research and he found some info on these two lamp types that I want to run past everyone:

MH lamps: are used primarily for veg growth right? Well what we read was that MH lamps actually dictate how bulky the plant gets, but most importantly...also dictates the amount of trics buds will develop, the overall potency of the bud from what I understand.

Now HPS lamps: These lamps seemed to be mainly used for size, not tric count or quality. So an HPS lamp's purpose is to get the plant and bud to grow to a larger size, without increasing tric count(potency).

So it would be up to the grower to determine if they want little popcorn nugs that are potent as hell, or big long buds that aren't as potent. I guess the advantage here is for the commercial grower. It seems that growing for personal, you would be better off not even changing to lamp to an HPS for flowering, giving you smaller more potent buds=having to smoke less.

So has anyone heard of or read this? I did a search in this section and found nothing comparing HPS to MH....only HID to CFL. What is everyone's thoughts on this? Also, I've had my HPS in for about a week now. If this theory is correct, I would rather leave the MH in and harvest smaller, more potent buds. So would changing the light a week into the HPS cycle be beneficial, or detrimental?
I'd be interested to see what everyone thinks.

Thanks!

*junk

sergentjunk Reviewed by sergentjunk on 06-26-2009. MH vs. HPS Ok...a good friend of mine and I started growing at the same time. We both do a good amount of research and he found some info on these two lamp types that I want to run past everyone: MH lamps: are used primarily for veg growth right? Well what we read was that MH lamps actually dictate how bulky the plant gets, but most importantly...also dictates the amount of trics buds will develop, the overall potency of the bud from what I understand. Now HPS lamps: These lamps seemed to be Rating: 5

[Dutch Pimp]

in an ideal world...use both...:thumbsup:

[sergentjunk]

Exactly what I was thinking!

Unfortunately in a homebox xs...there's barely enough room for a 250w HID, much less two of them lol. Not to mention I don't have the $ to drop an additional light rig. But ya, that would be the way I would go given the opportunity.

Apparently I'm not in an ideal world. Thanks for bursting my bubble Dutch . Here I thought my world was idealy ideal..."it was perfect" LOL



*junk

[Dutch Pimp]

250/400 watt CMH Bulbs...:thumbsup:


first pic is MH...........then CMH bulb......then standard HPS bulb

[sergentjunk]

That's awesome Dutch. Exactly what I would use if it not for a digital ballast compatability issue LOL. I had never heard of the CMH until you just posted it. I searched here in the lighting section, found your post from two years ago saying they're no good for dig. ballasts. Thanks for turning me on to yet MORE info Dutch! I'm totally sponging out on gaining knowledge for this process.

Once again not in an ideal world, I'm gonna go eat some dirt.

*junk

[Dutch Pimp]

yes... CMH bulbs require a magnetic ballast...sigh...that's why I don't push them.


ideal worlds are hard to find...:jointsmile:

[sergentjunk]

I went with the dig. for efficiency ratings. It's all give and take though, each one has good and bad points obviously. You can never have EVERYTHING just out of the box can you? Hello no. I picked the best for my application and I'm running with it, and I'll leave the HPS in for now. Next cycle I might just stay with the MH as a test.

The CMH does seem like a good way to go though. I like! MMMMM....learning

*junk

[syde00]

just as an FYI

higher trichome count != higher potency

http://www.cannabisculture.com/v2/co...nside-trichome

"heavy trichome production does not necessarily mean higher potency, because the resins inside the trichome may or may not contain high levels of THC and other active ingredients."


I wouldn;t say that "MH lamps dictate how bulky a plant is" - i understand what you are trying to say, I think its just phrased incorrectly.

Basically what it is, is that MH bulbs give off a colour temperature more appropriate for veg growth, and thus the plants don;t feel they need to try and grow closer to the light to try and get more of what they desire (blue spectrum light).

Maybe we are just thinking of it from different perspectives... I am thinking of it from what the plants are seeking, and I think you are thinking of it more from what you are trying to tell the plants to do.

Ultimately, though IMHO, you can;t really force nature and its best to let nature do what it wants instead of trying to tell nature what it should do. As most indoor cannabis growers will tell you - "When in doubt, emulate nature".

Anyhow, wheather colour temp effects actual THC production, I have no clue... but you need to think of the trichomes as basically containers for THC. Just because you have a lot of containers in the kitchen cabinets doesn;t mean they are all full of delicious chocolate cookies :rastasmoke:

[sergentjunk]

Maybe we are just thinking of it from different perspectives... I am thinking of it from what the plants are seeking, and I think you are thinking of it more from what you are trying to tell the plants to do.

Ultimately, though IMHO, you can;t really force nature and its best to let nature do what it wants instead of trying to tell nature what it should do. As most indoor cannabis growers will tell you - "When in doubt, emulate nature".

Very well put Syde. Great philosophy, and I'm gonna stick with that. I'd much rather let the plants drive themselves. I hate being a backseat driver, and I hate backseat drivers...so I'm gonna let the plants take the wheel. Thanks for the great points.

Just because you have a lot of containers in the kitchen cabinets doesn;t mean they are all full of delicious chocolate cookies :rastasmoke:

I have many cookie-less jars in my kitchen.

Thanks again!

*junk

[oldmac]

yes... CMH bulbs require a magnetic ballast...sigh...that's why I don't push them.


ideal worlds are hard to find...:jointsmile:

Hey DP,

It's not that big a penalty to use a magnetic ballast, only 150w per 1000w.
IMHO it is worth the little extra electric for the improved spectrum.
Besides old fashioned iron core ballasts are reliable as a.......rock. (and as advanced)