Has anyone tried splitting up the flower cycle?

[Mattytokes420]

Just finishing up my first grow and want to go perpetual with a veg tent and two flowering tents a month apart running opposite 12/12 schedules. I was thinking about setting up my 4x4 with a 600 watt hps for the first half of flowering while the plants are still smaller and save some power then moving them to the 5x5 with 1000 for the end. The only thing I need to purchase is another light. Trying to figure out if it'll work well or if I should just get another 1000. Let me know your thoughts

 

[ruwtz]

1000w might be overkill for a 4x4 depending on head height and temp management. I think you'll see better efficiency with 600's especially if you can adjust light height and keep 'em close.

Light will always be your limiting factor, but its also commonly the biggest cost, so balance this and you'll be fine.

 

[ruwtz]

FWIW, I run 600w Gavitas covering 5x5 each which are double ended HID and its plenty good.

 

[Mattytokes420]

I have a 1000 now. That's what I ran in the 4x4 this time. I was very happy with the results though I did have a few problems with bleaching on a couple of taller plants. I was more or less wondering if I could still get close to the same yield using a 600 put closer for half of the cycle when the plants aren't totally filled out and have a smaller foot print then moving them into a larger spot with the 1000 to finish. Or even vice versa as I've heard of people dimming lights in the last week's though I would think you'd need more light when the plant is at its peak.

 

[ruwtz]

I have a 1000 now. That's what I ran in the 4x4 this time. I was very happy with the results though I did have a few problems with bleaching on a couple of taller plants. I was more or less wondering if I could still get close to the same yield using a 600 put closer for half of the cycle when the plants aren't totally filled out and have a smaller foot print then moving them into a larger spot with the 1000 to finish. Or even vice versa as I've heard of people dimming lights in the last week's though I would think you'd need more light when the plant is at its peak.

Bleaching is definitely a risk on untrained plants under high intensity lights, and it will affect bud quality. Watch out too for cooking off those valuable terps: thats something you don't see until the nose is lacking after drying.

Dimming is done to simulate the shorter, cooler nights of the late outdoor season, but i'll leave that to others to speak of its usefulness.

 

[DOCTORDOOB]

Yes that was my idea of them as well. I was just the opposite. I was running my ballast at 600w during the first 6 hours of 12/12 and the last 6 hours at 1000w to make the plants think the sun is getting more intense lol... Didnt notice any difference really to last runn 1000w the whole time. You might end up with better results that way 600w-1000w because that may help boost them the last 4-5 weeks while they will be bulking up anyway.

 

[Mattytokes420]

I'd think it would work. Unless they really need all that energy in early flower. Most things I've come across are people dimming at the end like mentioned above so maybe there's something to that. I'm surprised I can't find anything on it I'm sure it's been tried