Thoughts on supplemental secondary sunlight?

Gents and scoundrels alike,

What are your thoughts on supplemental sunlight for an indoor grow?

I would be starting from seed, unfortunately, and being an uber n00b, I would think that this would help immensely during the veg phase, while still maintaining the ability to maintain a low profile.

Some considerations:

1. I'll be out in the boonies, but not on a lot of land. (live alone)
2. Plan on covering the windows with clear greenhouse plastic to diffuse light / prevent observation.
3. Intent is to veg seedlings long enough to create mother plants and clones.
4. Veg clones until they are large enough to flower.
5. Flower clones (4 plants in a 2x2 area is goal) in separate area using 400W HPS.
6. Grow technique will be hydroponic. (still a toss up between flood system and aero/NFT)
7. End statement: Establish bi/tri-weekly crop rotation for personal consumption only, not commercial.

Concerns:

1. Adverse effect on ability to control temperature.
2. Adverse effect on flower development due to fluctuations of light intensity during veg phase. (herms?)

Are these concerns warranted, and if not, would you recommend supplementation during the flowering phase as well?

I'll be using an MH bulb for veg phase, and the HPS for flowering.

" Well, no Wilksey. That shouldn't be a problem."

"O.K., thanks for your input"


/tough crowd.

what are you going to use as the main light to veg them with?

1. Adverse effect on ability to control temperature

are you saying your worried about the heat of the 400w hps?

2. Adverse effect on flower development due to fluctuations of light intensity during veg phase. (herms?)

no. all you have to worry about is that in flowering it get 12 hours of dark w/absolutely no interruptions and no light leaks.

Veg plan is to use MH light in conjunction with natural sunlight. I figure the use of sunlight would help with the use of a lower wattage MH bulb, say 250w.

"are you saying your worried about the heat of the 400w hps?"

Not necessarily heat issues from the lamp, but any potential issues due to heat spikes due to the changing intensity of the sunlight throughout the day.

From what I've read here, consistent conditions are an important factor, and I don't know if "free" sunlight is worth the potential lack of over all temp consistency.


"no. all you have to worry about is that in flowering it get 12 hours of dark w/absolutely no interruptions and no light leaks. "

Outstanding, thank you.

your hps will provide enough light. some flower in a shed with a plexiglass roof, using sunlight, in the Spring and Fall (12/12).

From what I've read here, consistent conditions are an important factor, and I don't know if "free" sunlight is worth the potential lack of over all temp consistency.

i guess you could look at it that way, you could also look at it as the temps outside are not always consistent.