How far away is tbe light? My first grow i did all on walmart cfls, grew a hell of a nice little plant. If i was growing one or two small plants probably would have stuck with the cfls honestly. No you cant grow a tree but if your doing small set up nothing wrong w cfl in my book.
They do need to be close... study the square inverse law of light. I also agree on the clear containers... roots also love oxygen, so to do it on cheap go grab appropriate size plastic basket at dollar store and line w eeed block fabric that u put under mulch in your yard. Keeps soil dark and contained but cant beat the breathabiluty and ease of transplant when rootball is wrapped in cloth...
Also with light, i feel this goes for any light but even more vital when your using lower powered light, make sure the light is contained not just spilling out into big room. Area should be just large enough so you can have air movement and it doesnt get too hot... any bigger than that and you are wasting precous photons you paid for...
Mh, hps and cmh rock but you can grow without them on small scale..