Can I put a grow box outside in the summer?

[BM9292]

hey all, Im a very big rookie when it comes to growing so be prepared for stupid questions. Ok so here is my idea:

I want to grow about 4 plants in a growbox setup with a light, at the moment a 400W Metal Halide bulb. I was wondering if it would be possible to grow these in a sheltered outdoor environment(under the light). I plan to start in early May. I guess my main concern is the temperature. Let me know what you think.

Please give me some constructive criticism!!

 

[dirrtyd]

If you outdoors why do you need the light? do you want these plants to veg outside or flower ?
are you starting from seeds or clones? good luck dirrtyd

 

[BM9292]

It is for stealth reasons. I was hoping they could veg and flower outside dono if thats possible. Basically is is under a gazebo so i want the light to grow them. Hoping to get ahold of some clones to start.

 

[DirtPoor]

It depend how hot it gets in your area and if you can keep the box light tight for the dark period(which if your temps get high like my attic, you can set the dark period for the hottest time of the day).

 

[BM9292]

it tops out around 85 degrees at the hottest during the day - pretty rare, but usually will be around 56-58 F.

 

[DirtPoor]

it tops out around 85 degrees at the hottest during the day - pretty rare, but usually will be around 56-58 F.

You should be straight with temps like that, just be sure to have ventilation both intake and outtake. Are you using fluorescants or HID?

 

[BM9292]

thanks man, really appreciate the help. At the moment, I have a 400 Watt Metal Halide Lamp, but I am not necessarily set on that. Any recommendations? I've heard a lot of hype over HPS bulbs. Do you think the Metal Halide would be fine, if I didn't get a new light source?

 

[wanabe]

i have no ventilation in my grows with cfls and they do great

 

[DirtPoor]

The MH bulb will do just fine, although there may be a little stretch which is common for MH bulb during veg. The size of your grow box will determine weather you should upgrade or not, and if you do upgrade I always recommend buying a switchable ballast that can take either an MH or HPS bulb (two for one).

 

[BM9292]

by stretched do you just mean they are gonna be too tall and not bushy enough? will putting the light closer avoid that? and would you reccomend topping the plants?

 

[DirtPoor]

i have no ventilation in my grows with cfls and they do great

IMO they would do better with ventilation, next to the lighting it's the most important factor.

 

[secretweapon]

or you could do a scrog, screen of green.

 

[DirtPoor]

by stretched do you just mean they are gonna be too tall and not bushy enough? will putting the light closer avoid that? and would you reccomend topping the plants?

They could stretch for the light and yes not be bushy enough(there are a ton of people who use MH throughout the entire grow and love it, makes really dense and solid sort of buds) but this is not garunteed it's only a possibility. And the stretch also depends on what strain your growing. You can only put the light so close to plants before they burn a bit, but you do want them as close as possible to get the most lumens. And my favorite technique is Low Stress Training, but I think you should top anyway once they get where you would like them.

 

[DirtPoor]

or you could do a scrog, screen of green.

There are numerous training techniques, but all have the same thing in mind (get the best buds)...I think the best way for anyone to figure it out is to experiment and see what you like the best.

 

[BM9292]

cool thanks again bro

 

[DirtPoor]

No problem...when I was first starting out, this website was a huge lifesaver and there are so many experienced growers with tons of advise, get as much as you can

 

[SCARHOLE]

i have no ventilation in my grows with cfls and they do great

Try the DIY yeast co2 , it help alot in lil sealed cabs.

MH produce less stretch than HPS.
Tighter Node spacing and denser nugs.
It also encourages more Trics due the UVB emitted from em.
But its will buds will be smller HPS buds.

 

[DirtPoor]

Try the DIY yeast co2 , it help alot in lil sealed cabs.

MH produce less stretch than HPS.
Tighter Node spacing and denser nugs.
It also encourages more Trics due the UVB emitted from em.
But its will buds will be smller HPS buds.

Yea that is true about the lights, my bad I was baked when writing and got em' mixed up.