What are the best lights and soil for a 1 or 2 plant setup?

Hello everyone! I recently got my doc recommendation and I've been doing some light researching on cultivating my own cannabis for my personal use and would like to know what lights and soil would be good for an indoor closet setup of 1-2 plants? The grow area would be about 4ft wide, 4ft tall and 2 1/2 ft long, I am a beginner and I'm sure I'm going to get alot of negative feedback but I have to start somewhere and any advice or tips are grately appreciated. I have some basic knowledge from the research Ive done and know alittle about the stages of growth, types of lights as far as CFL's HPS, and MH, light output and lumens, ventilation and watnot but I'd also like some feedback about soil and nutrients as I feel that's the area I lack knowledge in the most. I understand 1 or 2 plants isn't a big start but I want to start small and learn from my mistakes so I can become an experienced grower and produce good quality buds for myself

I will start.... LEDS ARE BEST !

take that

the Sun and mother earth

For 1-2 plants I would use a 400w mh/hps and for soil I like sunshine#4

Socalbmx said:

Hello everyone! I recently got my doc recommendation and I've been doing some light researching on cultivating my own cannabis for my personal use and would like to know what lights and soil would be good for an indoor closet setup of 1-2 plants? The grow area would be about 4ft wide, 4ft tall and 2 1/2 ft long, I am a beginner and I'm sure I'm going to get alot of negative feedback but I have to start somewhere and any advice or tips are grately appreciated. I have some basic knowledge from the research Ive done and know alittle about the stages of growth, types of lights as far as CFL's HPS, and MH, light output and lumens, ventilation and watnot but I'd also like some feedback about soil and nutrients as I feel that's the area I lack knowledge in the most. I understand 1 or 2 plants isn't a big start but I want to start small and learn from my mistakes so I can become an experienced grower and produce good quality buds for myself

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Well, I initally had purchased LED for similar small 1-2 plant grow, but I eventually bought a 150w hps as its documented yields and grows are pretty easy to find.

Check this thread :

www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/106339-150w-hps-club-inspirational-resource-220.html

It has good results for smaller setups, that thread plus a few other users who seemed to have rather same small grow I desired had quite fruitful yields compared to the cheap counter part LEDS ,that being said if you purchase a higher quality LED, which you probably wouldn't want to do for a small grow; it would cost an arm and a leg compared to HPS light which can give you decent results.

If I could go back, I might have bought 2 ballast, n just used HPS light in one, and MH in other. The LED 135w cheap UFO cost more then the 80$ hps but it can't yield near it, and has lower penetration, ofcourse being a cheaper quality LED on the market is kinda what you expect.

I assume your not looking for record yields anyway, but to put it in good perspective, if your going to spend the time growing, might as well use something that will get you your times worth out of it...a lower watt HPS would be better then a cheap LED, however if you purchased high quality LED and payed arm n leg, you probably wouldn't be disappointed. I've seen plenty of growers use either in smaller situations, just depends on your budget and preference I guess.

You can up wattage on HPS with relatively pretty good prices to purchase lights, but you will have to have a way to dissipate more heat with higher wattage lights, 150w is pretty low heat; as you can imagine the higher wattage for closets the more air your going to need to move to cool it...I was asking same question myself a few months ago, not very long into growing. Good luck!

I have no comment on soils, I'm too inexperienced at growing to really give you any valuable opinion, but from my personal experience I think the lights primarily will depend on how good your going to beable to keep the closet cooled/vented, and how much money u can spend, given the 150ws are under 100$ investments.

I would say for a 1 or 2 plant set up LED for it good light low heat low electric bills and for soil I would use water. In a small garden hydro is the way to go and will give you much better yield.

What he said.
Iblazetoomuch=he

He asked for the best that would be the highest wattage HPS/MH system you can afford and properly cool in your space.
LED's are a HUGE waste of $ IMO very small return as far as yield.
Im sure someone will say thats not true......Well prove it pics or it didnt happen.
Just about any seasoned vet will tell you the same.

My opinion a 400w or 600W HPS/MH system would be my choice.
As for soil, I only use super soil.

If I were you and I'm not, but I suggest a digital ballast that can run M.H. and H.P.S. they also have dimmable models. I would start at a 400W model and if you run into heating problems switch it to 250W problem solved. A nice air-cooled hood is almost required for cooling and it will also draw in fresh air. Put reflective material around your grow space to increase light and you're almost there. Now for soil I would go with a good organic base and add perlite so it will drain and get some organic nutrients as it is hard to over feed with them if used correctly. General Organics is good as well as the Roots Organics line, and Earth Juice is ok too. For soil there are quite alot of organic soils Just Right Xtra is a good one along with Roots Organics line of soils. Fox Farm is alright but can have bug problems and be hot sometimes too. Generally you get what you pay for but sometimes you can find deals. Hope this helps some good luck and welcome to the world of cannabis for meds, congratulations. Peace out.

budfever said:

LED's are a HUGE waste of $ IMO very small return as far as yield.
Im sure someone will say thats not true......Well prove it pics or it didnt happen.

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Depends, I would ask the guy looking at 25,000$ cheaper electric bill in LED lighting section when comparing grows. I think he was trying to replace 6 x 600w hps, https://www.rollitup.org/led-other-lighting/630619-apache-tech-led-grow-8x12.html#post8775148

budfever said:

Just about any seasoned vet will tell you the same.

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Were LED grow lights even around in the 50's, Lol? I wouldn't expect high volumes of old timers or experienced growers who are over 40-50 to be pushing LEDs much.. I think in general its pretty clear with current tech and prices, but in 10-15 years who knows how much further LED will come, and prices will drop, I would certainly hope they do improve, less electric bill is great n all, I don't think it matters much if your not trying to sell to pay the bills in the first place, but just personal small grow, I would love to try 400w in comparison to 150w later on down the road; I've already read alot about people transitioning, and I have not even flowered under the 150w yet.

Vent/budget, I'd say go for 400 personally, but I always like to play it safe, last thing I'd want is a light I couldn't use due to lack of ventilation, can't really cut holes where I'm at ect. You don't believe there is any possible room for future LEDs in an advanced penetration/lumen output scenario? I mean if they can maintain the energy consumption I don't see why not other then preference.

Sure your bills will be lower, maybe.....
Take into account I can probably grow one crop that would equal one years worth of growing with a LED setup.

I don't think hes growing a years worth in his closet, but thats good to know! I'm sure if he can't handle the vents he will adjust accordingly, the dead plants or closet fire will be early signs most likely.

My ventilation sucks though mainly due to not being able to cut or mark anything whatsoever, so I know I couldn't do 400w in my closet, but I do desire a setup that I could run a 400-600w in that small of a space :c

I didnt even put my 150w in closet, literally using my bedroom with sectioned off part until my tent gets here, Lol.

From two plants?

How much space is going to be left with a fan filter and light in a 4'tall space? Run a 250w HID and Scrog or sog it. Thats my opinion. Grazzmon has put up some good evidence of success with it in the 250w thread.

I easily pulled down 14oz using a 400w in a 2'x3'x5' area.

heres my 400 setup parabolic reflec. hoping for 6+ o's
hopefully more lolView attachment 2684446
what do you think fever, mabee over 6-7?

I'm a small grower,(4 plants in3 gal Smart Pots and I use a 400 watt MH/HPS in a 27 x 27 x 71 with Fox Farms Ocean Forest soil and the trio of Ocean Forest nutrients. I have grown nothing but excellent bud three to four tokes and your stoned. I forgot to I also use quality fem seeds.Good luck your going to love growing.

smokeytokeybear said:

heres my 400 setup parabolic reflec. hoping for 6+ o's
hopefully more lolView attachment 2684446
what do you think fever, mabee over 6-7?

Click to expand...

I would guess 7+ but thats a guess. My room looked about the same. Looks good!

budfever said:

I easily pulled down 14oz using a 400w in a 2'x3'x5' area.

Click to expand...

You use 6 inch inline for your 400w in that small area? I would love that quality yield but I can't make holes for the ventilation to the closet :/, so it kinda limits vent ability personally. The 150w produces little heat for my a/c room, but I imagine 400w would be a bit to deal with :c. Thats quite a yield though, I would be nervous about having a 400w personally, thats alot of nugs I don't really think it would be smart of a novice grower who doesn't want to sell to even bother with, thats a hella small space. My closet is a bit smaller then that anyhow, I'd prolly be cutting her close at 250w yield :/.

I see your using like a roomier space, mines quite literally a mini closet unfortunately, Lol.

@fever i have 3 big plants, 3 small clones, 3 gal pots and im not even at 4 weeks yet