Minimum CFL Watts 4 Veg/Flower

[TheLivingLegend]

I was originally going to use 2' linear bulbs until I noticed the wattage doesn't get much higher than 20 watts unless Ive missed something. So, I figured I will go with a ballasted CFL, and need to know what is the lowest wattage you can go with and still have a decent growth rate. I have a total of 32" vertical space so I cant be using bulbs that require 18-24" of distance. Thank you for your help.

 

[computergroove]

Growth rate is related to wattage. What kind of yield are you looking for with this setup? What are they growing in?

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Two ghetto rigged tote containers, the top half is flipped upside down and sits on top of the bottom half. I would like to have a decent yield, know what I mean, not be running so low of wattage that the plant isnt growing or yielding much. A decent crop, dont need a mega crop.

 

[computergroove]

I meant are you using dirt?

 

[Hugo Phurst]

I use the 23W (real) CFL's from the grocery store. 100W minimum for one plant, and at least an additional 50w for every extra plant.

I highly recommend a mixed spectrum of light, at a 3:1 ratio of 6500K (daylight/blue) to 3000K (soft/warm) CFL's for Veg, and the other way around for Flower.

3 - 4 inches is plenty of clearance.

Good luck.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

I meant are you using dirt?

Yes, I might just stick with soil that will feed it for most of its life, unless this method has a lot of downsides to it.

 

[Underfirexxx]

I use the 23W (real) CFL's from the grocery store. 100W minimum for one plant, and at least an additional 50w for every extra plant.

I highly recommend a mixed spectrum of light, at a 3:1 ratio of 6500K (daylight/blue) to 3000K (soft/warm) CFL's for Veg, and the other way around for Flower.

3 - 4 inches is plenty of clearance.

Good luck.

Will that work on 5000k - 2700k?

 

[Hugo Phurst]

Will that work on 5000k - 2700k?

I'm really not sure, but I don't see why not.

https://www.rollitup.org/general-marijuana-growing/9582-marijuana-light-spectrum.html

Let me know how they work.

 

[TechnoMage]

You can get 55w bulbs that are sorta linear. These things put out almost as many lumens as a 4ft T5 bulb but are only 19" long. The look like this.



There's a thread over in the DIY forum
https://www.rollitup.org/do-yourself/620553-diy-4-pin-pl-l.html