Pure CFL use

I have been using CFL lights to start out my seedlings, then switch to HPS and get great results of course.

My question is,
is it possible and/or worth it to grow from seed to flower to harvest on just 1 small CFL lamp with two bulbs. It is an actual "grow lamp" I bought for just the veg part.

It will be just one plant and a very good strain.

I know it is not the best way to grow but just need advise if it will work.

raspamcgee said:

I have been using CFL lights to start out my seedlings, then switch to HPS and get great results of course.

My question is,
is it possible and/or worth it to grow from seed to flower to harvest on just 1 small CFL lamp with two bulbs. It is an actual "grow lamp" I bought for just the veg part.

It will be just one plant and a very good strain.

I know it is not the best way to grow but just need advise if it will work.

Click to expand...

We need a standardized definition of "work." The plant won't die but from what you say won't do well because it just isn't enough light as it gets bigger and goes into flower. Plus in flower you need different spectrum that in veg, more red. One plant could do very well with 150-200w of cfl and the right spectrum mix.

Illegal Smile said:

We need a standardized definition of "work." The plant won't die but from what you say won't do well because it just isn't enough light as it gets bigger and goes into flower. Plus in flower you need different spectrum that in veg, more red. One plant could do very well with 150-200w of cfl and the right spectrum mix.

Click to expand...

agreed. more light the better. im doing cfls right now too for veg(2 27watt 6500K) but im going to be adding more and more as the plant grow, and definitely will add some 2700K lights for when it gets closer to flowering. cfls are great though, if you add enough of them.

i did my first grow doing cfl's and ended up with a very good yeild and dense buds, however i was using close to 600w of cfl of the correct spectrum for flowering (red tinted light)

You will get good results with even two small cfl lamps the key to it is keep the plants rotated to ensure even light coverage and make sure the cfls are litterally touching the plants, as long as they dont burn you will be fine.

Imo burning from lights is overated i was told when i did my cfl grow to keep them 2-3 inches away, thats 2 far for me, mine were pretty much touching the leaves but not burning due to good venting.

raspamcgee said:

I have been using CFL lights to start out my seedlings, then switch to HPS and get great results of course.

My question is,
is it possible and/or worth it to grow from seed to flower to harvest on just 1 small CFL lamp with two bulbs. It is an actual "grow lamp" I bought for just the veg part.

It will be just one plant and a very good strain.

I know it is not the best way to grow but just need advise if it will work.

Click to expand...

this is 'how low can you go', well, this is what i grew with 78w of cfl's
i did use a large circular reflector to boost the efficiency

growone said:

this is 'how low can you go', well, this is what i grew with 78w of cfl's
i did use a large circular reflector to boost the efficiency

Click to expand...

wow very impressive for 78w of cfl, this is exactly what i like to see, efficiency! Top work

I wouldn't use CFL vegging lights for flowering but if you buy the right kind you def can grow with CFL! I would recommend more around three or four for more coverage it will help with your bud production. If you can't watch your plants all the time I wouldn't recommend having them touch the plants b/c they will burn had it happen! At least have an inch or two! Good luck!

Here is one of my hubby's that he grew with CFL!
https://www.rollitup.org/members/phenom420-albums-my-flower-room-picture83124-kelly-grow-2-9-24.jpg

growone said:

this is 'how low can you go', well, this is what i grew with 78w of cfl's
i did use a large circular reflector to boost the efficiency

Click to expand...

I would guess you will get more than a gram per watt out of that, and that's a very hard thing to do!

Illegal Smile said:

I would guess you will get more than a gram per watt out of that, and that's a very hard thing to do!

Click to expand...

love to be able claim that, can't though, she looks a little better than she actually was
got 35g from 78w, was 0.45g per watt
no complaints though, she was a nl#5 and she is a knock out, i can vape 1/20 of a gram - no more, just too strong, use it for insomnia