When to switch lighting

[Harvester315]

I have 2 Northern lights autos presently under a t5 with 4 6400 bulbs and a few cfls. One of my ladies just got her first pistols today and that's when I planned to add in my 250W HPS. Should I do that today or wait for pistills on the other one also?

 

[kiwipaulie]

Don't wait, I'm not sure why you have waited this long.

 

[bbyb420]

Why wait at all? Your plant will love all that additional lighting.

 

[nicougrik]

it all depends on how big you want it to grow. do you have the space ? Plants will usually double in size from veg to harvest day. post a pic of your plant.

 

[Harvester315]

Will post pic when I get home. Plenty of space. I was afraid to burn them or something. First grow and all. I have a journal that's a little behind. They are just over a foot high now. Autos. Would love them huge lol

 

[bgmike8]

You are adding or switching? If you're adding then you need to add it about a month ago

 

[Harvester315]

Yeah adding. That's good to know I guess. I'm all about the learning process. Have 4 more that should be all popped by tomorrow. I'll add the HPS tonight, it's only 250W any suggestions on height from top of plant? It will be interesting to see the difference with the plants that have the HPS for longer.

 

[bgmike8]

Height is about heat. Use you hand. I have 600 watt that is air cooled so I can get down to 1 inch above plant if I want to. I wouldn't do that to a seedling but a plant that's doing well could probably handle it

 

[Harvester315]

I presently don't have a way to cool my HPS other than the fans in the tent(I'll include pics of my setup also) but if I ever do upgrade to a larger HPS I will get one with a cool tube.

 

[Harvester315]

Pictures as promised. First of the 2 plants, I think I gave them a little too much nutes. Watered them in the last 4 watering without any plain water. Gonna water in plain water next time and get a nute schedule for the nutes I use (Aurora Roots organics)

The second pic will show the area I am worried about on plant 1. Plant 2 seems okay. I just FIMMED that one as a test for fun. Then I will add the HPS and give you a final looks.

 

[kiwipaulie]

Will post pic when I get home. Plenty of space. I was afraid to burn them or something. First grow and all. I have a journal that's a little behind. They are just over a foot high now. Autos. Would love them huge lol

I wouldn't worry about burning them. I start seeds under a 400w mh and they crank

 

[Chef420]

Two things about autos;
Throw as much light as you can at them from the beginning. I run mine at 20/4.
They don't like a lot of nutes so go light.

Chef.

 

[Harvester315]

Thanks for the tip. I went light on the nutes but I fed it every time no clean water in between. After these 2 and the new 4 that sprouted today are harvested I think I'm going to try something different than NL autos.

 

[Chef420]

I was told to alternate feedings and water.

 

[Harvester315]

Would you folks say that the second pic from earlier post looks like nute burn?

 

[Chef420]

Perhaps yes. What's your watering schedule like?

 

[Harvester315]

Water when the top inch or so is dry. Eyeballing; been pretty good about not over watering. Maybe every 2 or 3 days?

 

[Harvester315]

Going to go clean water for the next few tImes.

 

[Chef420]

Too much brother. You have to let them dry out until the pot is light to lift. Then saturate. Repeat. It's critical an not easy for us newbs to get right.

 

[Harvester315]

Alright cool. I've heard of the lifting method but I guess I'm just used to other plants that are more thirsty.