Vertical growing,
There has been a heated discussion on another thread about vertical growing. The vertical method is similar to http://www.rollitup.org/hydroponics-aeroponics/149998-heaths-flooded-tube-vertical.html or another of Heaths vert style http://strainguide.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/heaths-vertical-racks-strainguide.html , http://www.rollitup.org/dwc-bubbleponics/256847-dystopias-ppp-250w-vscrog.html with the coliseum style.
So the debate has been the efficiency of these grows vs. that of flat growing. This debate has ranged from claims that the vertical grow could yield upwards of 4 times that of a flat grow, to those that say a vertical grow loses out do to extended flowering times, or essentially a larger overall amount of electricity used versus that of the flat grow.
Any how.
I figured it should get a thread of its own rather than sit in the “1g per watt question” thread. I also believe it to be a pretty clever idea, I can also see some areas of concern. BUT I am a newbie and I would rather get the perspective of a few people maybe some real pro even.
What do you guys think?

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I like tomatoes, all of my posts are about growing, harvesting and drying tomatoes.
Toe-may-toes are good for you.

This is my first time using Vertical Growing myself.

I wish I would have done it sooner!

Everyone has their own concept in mind, but for what I like " wich is big revegged bushes, the vertical lighting so far has proved to me to be the best.

The overall growth has increased and also the way " most importantly " the way the light is being utilized to its maximum.

I am SOLD on it for sure and would not go back....

Blessings,

Rev. TheNatural

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Reverand,TheNatural

I was born to preach the Gospel, then I found truth and nobody wanted to hear that!

verts, its the future because its better

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http://www.rollitup.org/advanced-mar...l-growing.html
http://www.rollitup.org/marijuana-pi...x.php?u=135841

click on pic to inlarge

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http://www.rollitup.org/advanced-mar...l-growing.html
http://www.rollitup.org/marijuana-pi...x.php?u=135841

A 4'X4" horizontal setup has 16 sq feet of growing area. A 4' diameter vertical setup with 4' of height gives 50.24 sq feet which is 3 times growing area. However, when you spread the light over a greater distance, you reduce its lumens by the same ratio. A light mover can expand a horizontal to 10' X 4' about 80% of the vertical. So the vert does have an edge when it comes to area. The vert also has a slight edge in what is lost by a reflector in the horizontal.

The benefits of the horizontal are first obviously the hassle free setup. The hor also has the benefit of lighting from the top which maximizes the light exposure of each plant as it receives light on all sides. The hor with a light mover also allows the light to be much closer to the plants and to be adjusted according to growth.

In the end, my intuition tells me that while the vert has some advantages, there is no escaping the physics of light. While the vert picks up some growing area, the same could be achieved by simply raising the light in the hor to cover more area. Unfortunately, light diminishes with the square of the distance. So increased area probably just translates into less lumens per sq foot. The fact that the light is further away only makes this worse. Also, lighting the plant from the side produces more shaded plant area than from the top. I don't know how much is lost here but I suspect it is significant. It should be noted that people with crappy reflectors would likely see a significant increase by going int a vert, but if you have a really good reflector you lose very little light.

Now I am not 100% against the vert - I may even try it some time. The savings on the light mover and top notch reflector is good enough reason. I do however have a far superior system in mind. I would use 15 gal plastic drums and go DWC. Way less hassle than all that PVC and dirt cheap. Just arrange 8 or so drums and drill 3 or 4 holes per drum. You could even make a big access hole on the opposite side of the drum and use the bung for drainage. Hell, i might even build one and try it just for kicks. I'd use the floor space too.

you gat to love this guy hidden room wall
check out this vertical grow and its a water cooled light 1kw
heres the link Sealed, Water cooled blueberry coco grow

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http://www.rollitup.org/advanced-mar...l-growing.html
http://www.rollitup.org/marijuana-pi...x.php?u=135841

can we see pics of your grow and post a link to your journal or use this as your journal

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http://www.rollitup.org/advanced-mar...l-growing.html
http://www.rollitup.org/marijuana-pi...x.php?u=135841

Please, more the merrier. I am just finishing flowering and intend to adapt a
vertical system to my room as soon as it is empty. lol

RW, Last time I ran a light mover if I remember correctly those things suck up electricty like a 3 dollar whore. This has always eliminated the use of one in my book, for the initial cost of the unit (+/- 200$) plus the operating cost makes a second light more advantagous. I don't have a light mover these days and it has been a while since I did, if someone had the amps used to operate it would be nice.

How can light from the tope expose the sides to more light? My intuition says, that light from above vs light from the side are a wash in considering individual plant light exposure. That is to say, why would a plant get more lummens from either setup? a 600wt from the side or from above is going to shower the plant with the same amount of light.


This seems to be the biggest advantage the vert growing has. The light can be close to more plants due to utilizing the space on all sides of the bulb versus the horiz grow.

What makes you believe this? I don't know any data so this is all assumptions for me, but why would light get through the top of a canopy better than through the sides? I always felt it would be opposite of that, this is the reason a lot of people rock the side lighting. If you have experienced different or could explain why side lighting penitrates less than top lighting I would love to hear it.


Good luck with your grow, I am still an old school dirt guy and am considering moving to the new age, maybe a vert style with 2 400's, w/ a PVC pipe hydro but it won't be for a while.

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I like tomatoes, all of my posts are about growing, harvesting and drying tomatoes.
Toe-may-toes are good for you.

yeah talk about clever, sneaky even

Is this a vert or just a real low hung horiz? I like the whole setup though. all equip. hidden outside the wall, false wall for security, maybe I would have put it on the second row of plywood, so I didn't have to get on my knees to look inside. I hate having to get on my knees to talk to my lady's..

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I like tomatoes, all of my posts are about growing, harvesting and drying tomatoes.
Toe-may-toes are good for you.