i like my personal space. are my plants the same way? im kinda cramped on space, about 8x10 ft to be exact, and i have 13 plants, big bushy sativas! do i need to let em' breathe a little? are they okay when they are rubbin up on eachother? how much space? and info or opinions would be great... thnx

So long as they all get light you can shove them up next to each other. How big of pots are you using. When I was growing horizontal i could fit (12) 3 gallon pots(1sq FT each) in a 4x4ft area under 1000 watts of light (HPS) You should be able to fit at least 22 in a 4x8ft space
Trim some fan leaves if you notice one plant over crowding others for light.
Hope this helps

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that's funny you mention this about plant space. i started a thread at the now dead overgrow once titled, "are plants aware of each other." it's amazing how in tune with each other they are. one guy suggested that overcrowding causes hermies. i wish i had all the info. from that thread.

That sounds possible but do you think he would be overcrowding in that space. I would worry more about loss of light. What kind of lights you using dubz?

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one 1,000 metal halide and one 600 hps. ive had a lot of success with the double spectrum, ill never go back!!! im also usin 5 gal bags. im not supposed to be trimmin much in the flower stage though right???

Make sure to keep the air moving through the stems. Tightly packed plants can trap warm humid air beneath the canopy, which encourages mould. It can help to trim the lower branches that aren't getting much light (take some clones), and let the plant focus it's energy on the upper buds.

EDIT\
Oops, just noticed they're in flower, so cancel the clone suggestion

I agree with happiman, one of the only other issues besides one or 2 not getting enough light is that it can get pretty stale down there. Its also good to clear out the first 5-10 inches to encourage top growth, but thats just on preference.

trimming during flower is ok, I meant trimming back some bigger fan leaves that may croud the other plants. not a lot tho, just which ever you think would make a real difference.
trimming the lower buds or braches is ok too but depending on how long you have let them go you might loose out because not much energy would be left to send up.

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A very general rule of thumb is that your garden needs 50 watts of HID lighting per square foot of illuminated area. This rule ignores the shape of your garden, so the following is really a better guide:

A 250 watt HID will illuminate a 2' x 2' garden.
A 400 watt HID will illuminate a 3' x 3' garden.
A 600 watt HID will illuminate a 3.5' x 3.5' garden.
A 1000 watt HID will illuminate a 4' x 4' garden.

From: The Cannabis Cultivation GrowFAQ - The Internet Hub for Marijuana Cultivation - Jackerspackle's Lighting Coverage Primer

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I'm so wif you on the personal space thing 'cause I definitely value mine. I do think plants need to have personal space for optimal growth but right now mine are touching as well.

I've read a lot about gardening and plants growing and that is why when you by any plants they always tell you whether they like sun or shade, the growing zone and how far to plant them apart.

When plants start to touch each other they do not grow as robust as they would if they were not. I suppose they sense that there is not going to be enough light so they pull back their growth.

Food for thought.

thanks everyone!!!!