Planning 1st CFL Grow and Seeking Some Answers. C:

[lemony]

I've been lurking on this place for what seems like forever. I've read a lot and
would like to think I've got some idea to what I'm trying to do. Eventually I
just want to be able to grow a plant or two for myself. Which brings me to my
questions:

-- I get that I need around 6500k lumens, but how many, let's say, 42w bulbs
would that be? Or would just one bulb be okay for one plant?

* I plan on growing in a soil medium in a box of some sort and I don't plan on
growing a very tall plant. Probably grow one or two seeds from a bag first to
test the water.

...so I might have more questions that I need answered, but that's all for now.

 

[kingdavid918]

id suggest around 150 watts (actual) for 1-2 plants. since ur new id go 12/12 from seed for the ease of it... im doin bagseed under 173 watts of cfls just 1 plant u should come check it out sometime im 9 weeks in and very ghetto and micro

 

[lemony]

Thanks for the reply king. I was definitely planning on sticking with 12/12. I don't
have the biggest green thumb so keeping it simple is the key. I'll definitely check
out your grow. c:

 

[kingdavid918]

Thanks for the reply king. I was definitely planning on sticking with 12/12. I don't
have the biggest green thumb so keeping it simple is the key. I'll definitely check
out your grow. c:

thanks man no problem.... since ur using soil another newbie tip is plant them in large containers from the start... less transplanting equals less stress

 

[SmokeyMcPotJK]

I've been lurking on this place for what seems like forever. I've read a lot and
would like to think I've got some idea to what I'm trying to do. Eventually I
just want to be able to grow a plant or two for myself. Which brings me to my
questions:

-- I get that I need around 6500k lumens, but how many, let's say, 42w bulbs
would that be? Or would just one bulb be okay for one plant?

* I plan on growing in a soil medium in a box of some sort and I don't plan on
growing a very tall plant. Probably grow one or two seeds from a bag first to
test the water.

...so I might have more questions that I need answered, but that's all for now.

Your talking about kalvin rating when you say 6500k...thats a daylight bulb for vegging
23w actual watt cfl blubs but off 1.6k lumens
You want 4k-10k lumens per square foot

I am my first cfl grow as well, feel free to check out my journal and jack any of my idea you like ;o)

 

[SmokeyMcPotJK]

subscribed

 

[TalonToker]

Your talking about kalvin rating when you say 6500k...thats a daylight bulb for vegging
23w actual watt cfl blubs but off 1.6k lumens
You want 4k-10k lumens per square foot

I am my first cfl grow as well, feel free to check out my journal and jack any of my idea you like ;o)

You say 4000-10,000 lumin per square foot? This is considerably excessive for cfl growing, especially considering that lumin are not exactly culminative. If your not adding co2, there is no benefit to going above 3000k/ square foot. Shoot for 2500-3000 lumin per square foot. My 42 watt cfls put out 2700 lumin, and one of these per plant is quite enough to get you started. You can then add to that as your plant grows larger. The stickys in this, the cfl section, have some great info on growing with cfls. Some of the stickys are quite long, but if you read just the first couple pages of each, you will learn tons of good stuff.

 

[SmokeyMcPotJK]

You say 4000-10,000 lumin per square foot? This is considerably excessive for cfl growing, especially considering that lumin are not exactly culminative. If your not adding co2, there is no benefit to going above 3000k/ square foot. Shoot for 2500-3000 lumin per square foot. My 42 watt cfls put out 2700 lumin, and one of these per plant is quite enough to get you started. You can then add to that as your plant grows larger. The stickys in this, the cfl section, have some great info on growing with cfls. Some of the stickys are quite long, but if you read just the first couple pages of each, you will learn tons of good stuff.

Ok. At first I thought "hes wrong" because I definitely have read 4k-10k...I always thought that was a bit excessive. I run like 5k....I found in one of the guides I like that it says 3k....That makes it much easier. However do you think 5k is to much? Plant seems to like it.
In summation, thanks for making me take another look at this...I spent alot of time reading cfl posts and looking into the amount of lighting needed...seems there is no definite answer alot of ppl say dif stuff.

 

[SunnyJim]

I started my first grow about a month ago, after having spent load of time trolling this forum too. I've read that with CFLs, the only constraints should be your ability to manage heat, space, and your budget. With sufficient cooling, you should throw in as many CFLs as you can afford.

If your budget can stretch it, get Blue/White spectrum (6400K) bulbs for vegging, and Red (2700K) for flowering.

Check my sig if you're interested in my setup [2 x 125w Envirolite 6400k @ 9,000 lumen each]. On day 31 of my 1st grow.

Good luck dude.

 

[TalonToker]

Ok. At first I thought "hes wrong" because I definitely have read 4k-10k...I always thought that was a bit excessive. I run like 5k....I found in one of the guides I like that it says 3k....That makes it much easier. However do you think 5k is to much? Plant seems to like it.
In summation, thanks for making me take another look at this...I spent alot of time reading cfl posts and looking into the amount of lighting needed...seems there is no definite answer alot of ppl say dif stuff.

I don't think 5000 lumin per square foot from cfls is too much, I just don't think there is any real benefit from this, other than a higher than neccessary electric bill. Now if your getting all of these lumin from many small cfls, then when your plant(s) get larger I would surround the plant with these lights. Remember, when using cfls, their proximity to the foilage is critical. I grow exclusively with cfls and place them 2-4 inches from the plant during veg and about 1 inch away during flowering.

I am not trying to come accross as any kind of expert (I'm far from that). I'm just trying to share what I have learned from a combination of reading and personal experience. I'm very glad that everything is cool between us.