I need help understanding color spectrums and how they affect MJ (cfl/autoflowering)?

Frawsti

Active Member
Heya all, i've been here for a while now, and i've learned a lot. There are still a few things i need help understanding though.

From what i understand, 6500k while vegging, 2700k while flowering. HPS bulbs are best for flowering, HID bulbs are best for vegging.

But when you are using CFL's + autoflowering, how does this change? Do you just switch to 2700k at the first sign of buds?

Also does using 2700k while vegging affect the growth of the flower if you are autoflowering? I have a 250W equiv 2700k bulb that i want to throw in with my 100w equiv 6500k bulbs, but i don't know how it will affect growth. More light = more growth, right? So could harm come from having that extra bulb in there/would the quality be affected?

ALSO my local lighting store sells a 450W equiv CFL that is color spectrum 5000k. I know that isnt an ideal color spectrum, but would it hurt if i added it to my current bulbs?

Thanks!
 
First of all, both high-pressure sodium lamps (HPS) and metal halide lamps (MH) are considered HID. Metal Halide puts out more light within the blue spectrum, which is great for vegging plants. Once flowering begins, the orange/red spectrum of the HPS lamps is optimal. When using CFL bulbs, the 6500K provide the blue spectrum while the 2700K provide the orange.
In general, more light is better. However, plants cannot absorb certain spectrum of light. Green light, for example is useless to plants and can even be used during dark periods without consequence. I believe 5000K has mostly green light, so forget about it. Halogen lamps and incandescent bulbs are also practically useless for photosynthesis. Don't waste your money and electricity running lamps which are not beneficial to your plants.
 
When I grew autos I switched to 2700 at the first sign of pre flowers. The extra bulb will help, but not as much as it would if it were 6500. Are you sure you want to use it up that way instead of in flower where more light is even more important?

ps I would use more bulbs of less wattage. I used 42w when I grew with cfls. The extra cords and fixtures are a hassle, but you can move them around and get them in close which is critical with cfls. Plus they are cheaper, or they were. Try amazon.
 
So...theres no reason to not have that 2700k bulb in the case during vegging as well? Like it may not be as useful, but it would still benifit right?
 
Have a balanced spectrum threw out all stages of growth. Have more blue light then red in veg and have more red then blue during flower
 
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