just starting out with picture, tips and suggestions please...
- Thread starter Organic MJ 420
- Start date
Organic MJ 420
Member
yeah i didnt know what else to use, it was the only thing i had....
doobnVA
Well-Known Member
Don't let anyone give you shit about the foil. I've been using foil and haven't had any problems with it, and it DOES work (better than nothing, right?). I made a couple of winged reflectors out of cardboard boxes covered with aluminum foil, and the light meter is showing that there's definitely MORE light in the area WITH the reflectors than without.
Yes, those three bulbs are okay for now (don't even have a sprout yet, LOL), but you're going to want to add more. And more. And more! As the plant gets bigger you're going to have to put more bulbs in so every inch of the plant is exposed directly to the light. Then when you start flowering, you're going to want to add even more so you don't end up with stringy, airy buds.
Yes, those three bulbs are okay for now (don't even have a sprout yet, LOL), but you're going to want to add more. And more. And more! As the plant gets bigger you're going to have to put more bulbs in so every inch of the plant is exposed directly to the light. Then when you start flowering, you're going to want to add even more so you don't end up with stringy, airy buds.
Organic MJ 420
Member
lol it doesnt look like there is one there but its just hard to see, its about a half inch tall and only 4 days old. im posting a new picture to show additional lighting i added. cant i just up the wattage on the bulbs instead of having to install more?
Attachments
doobnVA
Well-Known Member
Thing about CFLs is that higher wattage doesn't necessarily mean better growth. You really have to surround the plants with bulbs 1-2 inches from all the foliage to see the best results. This is because CFLs have very weak penetration. the further the plant from the bulb, the less light it receives. So, a 150W bulb hanging over the plant isn't really reaching the bottom branches, but 5 26W bulbs place strategically around the plant can provide light to each and every leaf resulting in better growth.
Organic MJ 420
Member
yeah i see what u mean, i was gonna say....i only have three bulbs but two of them i can move around wherever and mount them wherever i need to. what if i move the bulbs around to the sides when the plants start to get bigger. will that help?
doobnVA
Well-Known Member
Yep, side lighting is always beneficial (well, unless you're doing a SCROG grow, or lollipopping your plants). I put 4 26W bulbs around each of my plants, and a 52W floro tube for top lighting (stays so cool I can let them grow right into it without worrying about burning them).
Organic MJ 420
Member
see thats were i run into my problem. if i put too many bulbs in my pc box the temp gets up there a little high, theres good ventialtion in my box but i have to keep my box locked up in a cabinet thats made to hold a computer tower and i cant have any light shining through to give my grow away. any suggestions other than better ventilation?
