Explain this one...

RollupRick

RollupRick

Active Member
I have a 400w metal halide, cool light.
Plus I have 4 x 125w warm CFL bulbs (circa 8,600lm each).

Both are as near as I dare to put them to the plants.

Which do the plants prefer/lean towards?

CFL.

I'm confused, lol, I would have thought the MH would have dominated. Or is it a case of because they're heavy flower, they prefer the colour temperature rather than intensity?
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
RollupRick said:
I have a 400w metal halide, cool light.
Plus I have 4 x 125w warm CFL bulbs (circa 8,600lm each).

Both are as near as I dare to put them to the plants.

Which do the plants prefer/lean towards?

CFL.

I'm confused, lol, I would have thought the MH would have dominated. Or is it a case of because they're heavy flower, they prefer the colour temperature rather than intensity?
Click to expand...
Going through the same thing. Have a 250 watt CFL aimed at a top cola and its all under a 1000 watt HPS. The fan leaves turn vertical to face it directly. Maybe they feel no need to maximize the HPS?
 
RollupRick

RollupRick

Active Member
I'm thinking the plants are still getting all the energy from the HIDs, but perhaps perceive the most useful light as coming from the CFL, maybe because its usually closer, or maybe colour temperature of the bulb at different stages of growth are more important than I thought. Quite interesting, because its counter intuitive, lol
 
T

T.H.Cammo

Well-Known Member
RollupRick said:
I'm thinking the plants are still getting all the energy from the HIDs, but perhaps perceive the most useful light as coming from the CFL, maybe because its usually closer, or maybe colour temperature of the bulb at different stages of growth are more important than I thought. Quite interesting, because its counter intuitive, lol
Click to expand...
I think that's exactly it! I know if I'm not too hungry, I can be a "picky eater" - that's, pretty much, what the plant is doing! And , yes, it is counter intuitive!
 
Pipe Dream

Pipe Dream

Well-Known Member
the 400 watt provides more light but it is spread out over a larger area. The CFLs are more condensed, and can be placed closer than the MH. That would be my explanation.
 
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