CFLs for veg and HPS for bloom. Is this a good idea?

wrecknrob

wrecknrob

Member
For starters let me say I am new to the forum, and aside from being new to the forum I am a bit of a novice indoor grower. Now I have read numerous threads on CFL vs HPS, and it seems that the common complaint from CFLs are tiny buds, therefore people say go with a HPS or MH. However my reason for going with CFL is because of the cost of electricity. Now given that I am running my 6, 42W CFLs for vegging, which I do for 6 weeks @ 18/6. Would switching from those to a say 250w HPS for flowering @12/12 for the next couple of weeks balance out? I want to save on energy by using the more electricity conserving CFLs for the longer veg period, and run the more powerful 250W HPS to finish it up. Does anyone see any downfalls to this plan? I came across a great deal on a 250W Hydrofarm Sunburst HPS, but the misses is constantly on my ass about the electricity bill so just trying to have the best of both. Any input is greatly appreciated as I'm sure I overlooked something along the way. Thanks.:leaf:
 
Gastanker

Gastanker

Well-Known Member
Sounds like a good plan. I would use both the 250 and the CFLs for flowering. Plants have multiple types of chloroplasts that photosynthesize. These differing chloroplasts differ in the spectrum they absorb. The ratio of these changed between flowering and vegging which is why people switch spectrums but there are alwasy still some of the other type. For ideal plant growth aim for a 3:1 ratio durring flowering.
 
jweezy707

jweezy707

Member
wrecknrob said:
For starters let me say I am new to the forum, and aside from being new to the forum I am a bit of a novice indoor grower. Now I have read numerous threads on CFL vs HPS, and it seems that the common complaint from CFLs are tiny buds, therefore people say go with a HPS or MH. However my reason for going with CFL is because of the cost of electricity. Now given that I am running my 6, 42W CFLs for vegging, which I do for 6 weeks @ 18/6. Would switching from those to a say 250w HPS for flowering @12/12 for the next couple of weeks balance out? I want to save on energy by using the more electricity conserving CFLs for the longer veg period, and run the more powerful 250W HPS to finish it up. Does anyone see any downfalls to this plan? I came across a great deal on a 250W Hydrofarm Sunburst HPS, but the misses is constantly on my ass about the electricity bill so just trying to have the best of both. Any input is greatly appreciated as I'm sure I overlooked something along the way. Thanks.:leaf:
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It's really up to your personal preference. My personal suggestion would be to try both (your original arrangement).
As you become more experienced, your preference will build and you can easily choose between a CFL or HID.

That's all it really is, personal preference. The whole 'CFL tiny bud' myth has been dispelled numerous times. Don't believe it.
 
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