Help with HPS lighting

I am using one 50watt HPS for one plant, how close to my plant can i get the light? And also, is HPS recommended for seedlings? Id post pics but not sure how, thanks for any help.

50 watt hps is cute lol , It might be low enough for the seedlings cuz too much light is not good for them . Id give it a try at 20 inches away!

blackcoupe01 said:

I am using one 50watt HPS for one plant, how close to my plant can i get the light? And also, is HPS recommended for seedlings? Id post pics but not sure how, thanks for any help.

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Metal Halide is recommended for vegetative growth while HPS is generally recommended for flowering. If you only had to choose 1, then HPS is the better choice given the length of time the plant will spend under each bulb. You'll probably veg (18hrs/day) for 3-4 weeks and then flower (12hrs/day) for as much as 10 weeks depending on your strain. Unless you have a "switchable (electronic/digital) ballast" you can't expect to swap bulbs either. With MH and HPS you either need a ballast made FOR that bulb or you'll need a slightly more expensive "switchable" ballast that will work with either bulb.

I hope you're growing from a known female cutting if you're only doing one. That could turn out to be a male plant and that would suck.

You'll need to add more light soon. 50w won't get you too far.

Thanks for the help, I knew i would have to man up and get a 400w hps. And yes, it would suck if it were male. Ive got several seeds germinating to better my chances of what will hopefully be my first succesful grow. Can anyone recommend a good soil for seedlings?

I grow hydroponically but I've heard that FoxFarm products work well.

blackcoupe01 said:

Thanks for the help, I knew i would have to man up and get a 400w hps. And yes, it would suck if it were male. Ive got several seeds germinating to better my chances of what will hopefully be my first succesful grow. Can anyone recommend a good soil for seedlings?

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I hope those seedlings aren't all in the same pot.

Oops...sorry....you said germinating. Nevermind...I'm stoned.

Right now im using scotts premium potting soil but havent had great results. The local depot doesnt seem to have much to offer me here. Is ordering supplies online a good idea? Safe i mean. What are some sites you guys have had experience with? I need a 400w hps and some seeds, maybe other goodies.

blackcoupe01 said:

Right now im using scotts premium potting soil but havent had great results. The local depot doesnt seem to have much to offer me here. Is ordering supplies online a good idea? Safe i mean. What are some sites you guys have had experience with? I need a 400w hps and some seeds, maybe other goodies.

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I buy most of my stuff online. Check out EBAY for lights and nutrients. I get my seeds from Nirvana or from Buydutchseeds.