Is it possible to complete a grow using 600phs only

NoviceKing

NoviceKing

Active Member
Is it possible to produce a good grown without making the plants stretch too much using hps from the very start, atm i am using 250w from seedling which have sprouted an inch n half (some not looking the best...keeping them about 14 inch from tops) then after 10 day going to up to 400 then after another 10 or so to 600w... can it be done????
 
Kushash

Kushash

Well-Known Member
NoviceKing said:
Is it possible to produce a good grown without making the plants stretch too much using hps from the very start, atm i am using 250w from seedling which have sprouted an inch n half (some not looking the best...keeping them about 14 inch from tops) then after 10 day going to up to 400 then after another 10 or so to 600w... can it be done????
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Yes, it can be done.
Switching lights from 250, 400 to 600 like that would be a lot of work and would probably take practice to get it right.
I don't know anyone doing it that way.
What I would do is start the 600w hps about 36" from the seedling the day it popped from the soil and then slowly bring it to about 24" over a period of 7 - 10 days while keeping an eye on the seedling for signs of stress or signs of stretching from not enough light.
 
NoviceKing

NoviceKing

Active Member
Kushash said:
Yes, it can be done.
Switching lights from 250, 400 to 600 like that would be a lot of work and would probably take practice to get it right.
I don't know anyone doing it that way.
What I would do is start the 600w hps about 36" from the seedling the day it popped from the soil and then slowly bring it to about 24" over a period of 7 - 10 days while keeping an eye on the seedling for signs of stress or signs of stretching from not enough light.
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Thanks for advice bud, i just though if i had 600w straight on it would cause to much stretching... so would it be best to switch ballast up to 600 and lift it up? I have 21 germinating in half litre platic cups eventually i plan on phtting in 15ltr grow bags and putting 3x600w phs on
 
NoviceKing

NoviceKing

Active Member
Roger A. Shrubber said:
it's also caused by the difference in K rating between your veg light and your flower light. the bigger the difference, the more they'll stretch in flower. a typical hps is around 2700K, if you vegged under a 6500K, expect a lot of stretch
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So what can i do to reduce that, use plant training? The bulbs are dual spectrum if that help or makes any difference
 
NoviceKing

NoviceKing

Active Member
Roger A. Shrubber said:
i super crop before i start flowering, and use lst. once flowering starts, if i have a branch that's getting out of hand, i just bend it over and tie it down. the buds will stand up away from the branch and grow into mini colas
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That was what i planned on doing also recommened scrog too... so it is possible to get good results just with hps
 
TacoMac

TacoMac

Well-Known Member
NoviceKing said:
So whats your routine? Do you start of with 600w from germination? How many plants you do per light? Light distance? Etc
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I grow White Widow exclusively.

I germinate in a wet paper towel in an open Ziploc on the window sill. Then I plant directly into a 7 gallon pot with the light 30 inches above it on 600 watts with the MH bulb in it.

It stays that way for several weeks. Normally, about week 4 or 5 the plant is tall enough to where I have to move the light up a foot or so to maintain the 2.5 foot distance. I just keep raising it as needed as the plant grows.

About week 6 I switch to the HPS bulb and change the lighting schedule from 18/6 to 12/12 and finish it off over 9 to 12 weeks. It varies grow to grow.

Typically, I grow two plants at a time. They'll finish off around 3 to 3.5 feet tall and net between 4 and 6 ounces each.
 
NoviceKing

NoviceKing

Active Member
Kushash said:
Yes, it can be done.
Switching lights from 250, 400 to 600 like that would be a lot of work and would probably take practice to get it right.
I don't know anyone doing it that way.
What I would do is start the 600w hps about 36" from the seedling the day it popped from the soil and then slowly bring it to about 24" over a period of 7 - 10 days while keeping an eye on the seedling for signs of stress or signs of stretching from not enough light.
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So should i do that today then??
 
Kushash

Kushash

Well-Known Member
NoviceKing said:
So should i do that today then??
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I like sharing what I would do.
Should you do it? Is it the right move for you?
There are often variables and it's best to do more homework or get other opinions.
I have success doing it that way whether I'm vegging and flowering with HPS or if I'm vegging MH then flowering HPS.
Other methods also work, we often find success with different methods.

The most important part is to be able to tell when they are stretching from not enough light or stressing from to much light and or heat.

I use MH for veg at this time. ​
​
HPS will grow a thinner taller plant during veg but works.

This is an important note.
One thing I would add is that I only use hortilux Super HPS bulbs in veg.
I've never used other hps bulbs to compare the difference.
 
NoviceKing

NoviceKing

Active Member
Big Perm said:
You should give this a read.
https://www.rollitup.org/t/400w-hps-from-germination-or-would-600w-be-okay-too.974114/
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Hahah so basically take my own advice or should i say yours.. forgot about that thread! Right.. thats what im going for! we talked about the 250w 18 inch away i have mine at 13-14 at the moment is thay to closw cause on or two of the leaves are looking a little stressed and the ones furthest away on the tray are looking beautfiully green, but i am having some concerns as some arnt looking too well maybe im just being paranoid or its just to early to tell? i have been giving then the slightest bit of nutes but way less then even half the recomended doseage as coco has no nutritional value?! Some are looking okay but its only been 2 days, i have 7 gg which are looking the best and 7 gsc which arnt looking the best, and last night put another 7 aks in which 2 have already sprouted
 
hotrodharley

hotrodharley

Well-Known Member
I have one tent with a 600 HPS in an air cooled reflector. I have everything from flowering plants (chopping 2 on the full moon in a few hours) to clones rooting. At the moment before chop I have 9 smart pots. I use milk crates, bread crates and racks to place plants at the right height.

I'm waiting for extreme remodeling in my 1 room cabin before the snow flies and wet season has arrived driving my vegging plants indoors. Not ideal but everything is happy. Will be happier minus 2 in the morning .
 
Sithlord88

Sithlord88

Well-Known Member
Imho 250 hps is way too much for a baby. I wouldnt recomend hps for veg at all. But if its all you got, so be it.
 
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