Hey BigHerb, why the vertical bulb I wonder? I prefer horizontal. Your going to want vent your light and it'll be much easier horizontal. If you're going to use a single 1000w bulb and your just starting out from scratch here's what I'd do personally. If you haven't bought anything I might be able to save you some headaches and money. It would be great if you document the grow and I'll walk you thru it and we'll see how we do compared to the old school type growers. I am also assuming you're going with soil to save money on a hydro system which is fine. not really much other reason to go that route.
I would get a Magnum XXXL hood with an 8 inch venting hole. The hood is only 9 inches thick and still uses an 8 inch vent. Great venting capasity and a really wide throw with the light which will be great with the four plants. The buds came out of a 4'x4' closet with 2,000 watts so you have plenty of room. I would but a 1000w hps with a digital ballast, skip the hole vegging setup and the MH and that will save you a bunch of money right off the start. What strain are you going to grow? If you're looking for yield obviously a pure indica is what you want to grow. Half the time twice the yield, a good combination.
I would get your 1000w HPS and then take four five gallon buckets with holes drilled in the bottom, put a couple inches of gravel or hydroton in the bottom. Get a good cactus blend soil from your grow store or nursery. Fill them up to within a couple inches from the top and wet it down to settle the soil then top it off. Plant your clones in the middle and get them going. If you have the money buy a 8 inch max fan and vent your hood. with good venting you should be able to have your light very close. Light management will really pay off, keep it as close as you can without burning and adjust daily.
I would get a five gallon bucket for your water. Botanicare Natures blend flower for soil. 5 oz's per five gallons of water, use that for your waterings. If you want to start with a little vegging nutes go for it. Here's where we're going to jump ship on the way most grow. Get your girls stablized in their new home and then use the fim technique on them. As soon as they take off again and are showing new growth we're going to put them into 36 hours of darkness and then straight into 12/12. YUP no vegging, your plants may be 8 inches tall, resist the temptation to "veg just a little more" waste of time. If you have a good pure indica your four little girls will turn into a half to a full pound(or more) of first rate smoke in 6 weeks. Most indoor growers are going to get 1 1/2 zips per plant after spending twice as long. You're going to smoke them in half time. Lets start there and I'll add to it tomorrow. I'm tired but I'll come back and answer any questions you have and answer the other questions folks have. been a long couple days.[/QUO
Professor hows itgoin, i hope all is well with you. how ever im new to growing and and i really would like to try this method that youve been using
sounds pretty simple and less time which is always a plus for me and everyone elese who is trying to tk the same approach. i havent started my grow yet because imm waitng on my beans , cant wait to get startyed. would also like to go a little deeper into the specs of your method when i get set up.ILL let you know when im ready. HAPPY GROWING TO ALL
