Help with a couple of basics

[stangle12]

So i have been reading through these threads for a couple of months now, and i have decided to start my own Grow Opp.
I am going to grow 3-4 plants at a time, and have the same amount of seedlings going on a shelf above (closet operation). So i gues this means i need two lights (unless i grew my seedlings on the sunny window pain??)
So i read some things about CFL's, and if im growing three plants, i dont mind if they have low turn outs...but how low would they be?

so i guess the questions im asking are:
1) if i use CFL's, how much less do they produce
2) if i use Cfl's, how powerfull should i get for 3-4 plants?
3) Should i use Cfl's for seedlings as well?

stangle12 Reviewed by stangle12 on 03-10-2006. Help with a couple of basics So i have been reading through these threads for a couple of months now, and i have decided to start my own Grow Opp. I am going to grow 3-4 plants at a time, and have the same amount of seedlings going on a shelf above (closet operation). So i gues this means i need two lights (unless i grew my seedlings on the sunny window pain??) So i read some things about CFL's, and if im growing three plants, i dont mind if they have low turn outs...but how low would they be? so i guess the questions Rating: 5

[Garden Knowm]

CFL's use less electricity.. produce less BUD.... produce less heat.....
Are great for beginners and for a mother plant....

CFL's are great for seedlings....

Women make good mates

love

[Swizzy89304]

Well, if your gonna grow in a closet and heat is an issue for ya, Id go with either an envirolight (125 or 200w, its up to you) or a few CFL's - highest wattage you can get. Im not sure what wattage CFL's come in, as I prefer the power of a HPS as heat isnt that big of an issue for me. A 400w HPS doesnt produce that much heat anyway, as long as the light is a couple of feet above the plants.
Are you gonna have the plants in different stages of growth, or are you gonna germinate them all at the same time? If youre going to germ them at the same time, a single 200w envirolight would be enough for 4 plants (I think), but you might want to add a few CFL's in at the sides for flowering so the buds get maximum light.
It all depends on your budget really - you can pick up a 600w HPS with ballast and reflector (reconditioned, but lamp is new) for £65 inc. p+p on eBay, which is a pretty good deal. If you have another £100 to spare, you can pick up a decent fan and all the tubing etc for some ventilation. Mylar goes for £2.50 1m x 1.4m, so its pretty cheap considering it reflects something like 98% of the light, and if your growing in a closet toud only need to spend a maximum of a tenner on it. Although it does reflect heat aswell, so in a closet lined with mylar Id go for the envirolights/CFL's, unless you want to generate some more heat in there.
Something I dont have and really need is a thermometer, I should really buy one but Fiona seems to be doing fine, and the temp just above her can be described as 'warm' - around 24C, falling to probably 18-20 at night.

[smoknjoe]

Ya, good advice here. Don't grow on the window sill.

[Swizzy89304]

Lol, dont even grow Lowryders on the windowsill unless its summer. My mate is growing a few on his windowsill and they look fuckin pathetic. Theyre a week older than mine - about 45 days old, half the size (if that) and theyre not even budding yet!
Mind you, he does keep picking leaves off and smoking them, thinking theyll get him high. Talk about impatience!