Lighting requirements for vegging...

Hello all, a pal is wondering if 110w fluros is sufficient enough to veg 4-5 plants under for let's say 7-8 weeks (they would then be put under a 400-600w HPS) would that be ok or would they have to invest in a more powerful source? If so would purchasing another one of the t5s and hanging them side by side be a good way of doing this? Sorry for all the hypothetical info a lot is undecided yet as I'm sure you've guessed ha, any feedback helps, thanks a lot!

Hi, what I've found in the past is that after a few weeks they will sort of stall, that's when I step up the power, and also if they grow too tall some of the inner branches will go straight up looking for light, ending up with telegraph pole plants, I'm sure if he was too train them with some lst that he might get away with it but id just take the plunge and get them under a 4-600 once they stall,

cozz said:

Hi, what I've found in the past is that after a few weeks they will sort of stall, that's when I step up the power, and also if they grow too tall some of the inner branches will go straight up looking for light, ending up with telegraph pole plants, I'm sure if he was too train them with some lst that he might get away with it but id just take the plunge and get them under a 4-600 once they stall,

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Thanks a lot mate, do you think purchasing another one of these would be ok for vegging then would be a total of 220w spread between the two units?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hydroponic-T5-Grow-Light-Red-Blue-Spectrum-Reflector-Panel-CFL-Propagation-Kit-/400488306454?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&var=&hash=item5d3ef69716

Purp.N.Poonani said:

Hello all, a pal is wondering if 110w fluros is sufficient enough to veg 4-5 plants under for let's say 7-8 weeks (they would then be put under a 400-600w HPS) would that be ok or would they have to invest in a more powerful source? If so would purchasing another one of the t5s and hanging them side by side be a good way of doing this? Sorry for all the hypothetical info a lot is undecided yet as I'm sure you've guessed ha, any feedback helps, thanks a lot!

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Some will say no but not 100% ture I veg 2-3 plants under 96W T5 4 bulbs for 6-8 weeks does fine...the only thing I saw veggin under my 400W or 600W MH/HPS is they grow alittle quicker but if you are not in a rush they will work just at a little slower rate IMO...hope that helps some

M/h for veg hps or even better get yourself a duel spec bulb(600 sunmaster 90'000 lumens) and that will do everything.....cfl r good for lighting up your garage lol or side lighting but if you have the power then USE it.....

its a toughy as both sides of the argument are right, yes that light will improve it, as much as a 400? no way, but id personally go ahead with your plans and see for yourself, its not like they will die or anything, at least youll get a benchmark for further runs and they will flourish when under the 400-6oo

Thanks everyone, what do you reckon about the 400 vs 600 is there a big difference in quality or eleccy costs?

Get a sunmaster 600 dimmable......fkn great ballast dimms right down to 250 for seedlings and can b BOOSTED to 660 and trust me the xtra 60 I find very noticeable so imo that would b my first choice ......second........I SUN PRO built in timer that makes life alot easier.......it's got the 12/12/'''''18/6'''''' or anything you want it to be.......2of the best ballasts IMO........

Purp.N.Poonani said:

Hello all, a pal is wondering if 110w fluros is sufficient enough to veg 4-5 plants under for let's say 7-8 weeks (they would then be put under a 400-600w HPS) would that be ok or would they have to invest in a more powerful source? If so would purchasing another one of the t5s and hanging them side by side be a good way of doing this? Sorry for all the hypothetical info a lot is undecided yet as I'm sure you've guessed ha, any feedback helps, thanks a lot!

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Is your crop time sensitive? Are you trying to meet a cycle deadline?

Early fluorescent lighting will slow down the growth. So if you're trying to meet a harvest deadline make sure you account for the delay.

You'll also get more spindly growth and it could affect the shape of the plant. I would personally limit the fluorescent time as much as possible.

With that amount of light to that quantity of plants, all you'll really be doing is keeping them in stasis and keeping them on their light cycle.

Conclusion: it's pretty much a waste of time but it'll keep the plants alive.

I concur......

There are many ways to grow mj......imo ....it's about loving doing it and making a little something along the way.......buy one of these £96 will buy your ballast600'´a 600 duel spec bulb and a Dutch barn shade.....

@Purp.N.Poonani

How big do you want the plants to be when you make the flip?

I veg depending on my schedule.....but........General I usually end up doing 3-4 week veg.......

Purp.N.Poonani said:

Hello all, a pal is wondering if 110w fluros is sufficient enough to veg 4-5 plants under for let's say 7-8 weeks (they would then be put under a 400-600w HPS) would that be ok or would they have to invest in a more powerful source? If so would purchasing another one of the t5s and hanging them side by side be a good way of doing this? Sorry for all the hypothetical info a lot is undecided yet as I'm sure you've guessed ha, any feedback helps, thanks a lot!

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I veg plants for years with T8 and T12. 30 dollar lights. 6500k. They do great , but 4 or so plants for 7 weeks? I hope you plan on toppin and supercropping? I retired the tubes. I use LED for everything now!

JimmyIndica said:

...4 or so plants for 7 weeks? I hope you plan on toppin and supercropping?

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This is why I asked how big? CFL can get the job done unless you want or need 18-24" tall plants going into flower.

JimmyIndica said:

I veg plants for years with T8 and T12. 30 dollar lights. 6500k. They do great , but 4 or so plants for 7 weeks? I hope you plan on toppin and supercropping? I retired the tubes. I use LED for everything now!

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You use led for flower too?

I have a question about this as well. I just built a clone cabinet and an currently using a DE 250 watt 6500k metal halide. Its hard to maintain humidity. I was wondering if I would be better off cramming 8-10 23 watt 5000k cfls in there or stick with this and figure out a humidity dome? Here are some pics to show you the size space i am working with and yes I know I need hydroton for my clones. The door to the cabinet is now on as well. I am sing a 4" pc fan for ventilation blowing in and a 4" outlet on the other side. temps dont go above 85. Also what is the best temp for the water in a bubble cloner? Its on the way. I didn't realize I was out.

Your clones look big enough to be in veg. Are your cuttings that size?

I do a few hundred clones every 30 days and I never use cuttings that big. I also don't waste my amps on clones. They go in a tray with plastic cover and sit under t5s until they grow a beard, then it's off to veg.

My opinion is that your clone cabinet, while creative, is way overkill. You should be able to pop 70+ clones in a space that big with far less light.

Save the halide lamps for veg. Just my opinion.

RockDiesel said:

Your clones look big enough to be in veg. Are your cuttings that size?

I do a few hundred clones every 30 days and I never use cuttings that big. I also don't waste my amps on clones. They go in a tray with plastic cover and sit under t5s until they grow a beard, then it's off to veg.

My opinion is that your clone cabinet, while creative, is way overkill. You should be able to pop 70+ clones in a space that big with far less light.

Save the halide lamps for veg. Just my opinion.

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I dont have room to grow 70 plants. I have 8 sites on each side of tent. The thinking was to do 12 and keep the best 8 then take cutting from there for the next side of the tent. Yes they are off the bottom of my plants. I just lollipoped them today and started clones. Thats why they are so big. I grow in a SCROG

OldSoul777 said:

I dont have room to grow 70 plants. I have 8 sites on each side of tent. The thinking was to do 12 and keep the best 8 then take cutting from there for the next side of the tent. Yes they are off the bottom of my plants. I just lollipoped them today and started clones. Thats why they are so big. I grow in a SCROG

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I am trying to get it in the rythem to where I can harvest once a month with 2 4x4 areas and the clone cabinet. I have a feeling I am going to need one more cabinet. When the clones are done rooting my others will have just gone in flower a week earlier. There wont be space for them in the main tent. I should have planned better