CFLs for mother cab - opinions please

[OGPurp]

This is what I've been using to grow my mothers. It's made from PVC pipe, black/white poly and enclosed two 4' shop lights.



Now I want to buiild something similar, but with a smaller footprint. It's going to enclose a 10 gal plastic tote that floods some square pots that contain my mother plants (I only need six clones/grow so these mothers can remain small).


My question is:

Can I use CFLs to light this space? Any other recommendations for lighting? I was also thinking about using 2' fluorescent tubes attached to the PVC frame, for side lighting.

 

[MTF-Sandman]

Absolutely...you're just gonna have to do a little more wiring to use CFLs. Either will work fine for smaller moms.

 

[beaner]

CFL would work fine there, check out the micro forum (CFL is much more accepted over there) and this thread:
http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=31605

 

[OGPurp]

Thanks everyone (beaner, I wish I had read that thread when I used to think I didn't have enough space to grow haha .

Anyway, I found a sturdy cart at a bix box home improvement store and hooked it up with two 23W CFLs. Going to wrap it in white\black poly and keep in my room next to the flowering ladies.

 

[supermanlives]

try farmtek.com 125 watt cfl and hood all ready to go 98$

 

[Guest]

I can't tell where the plants are but the lights need to be closer for the cfls to work. I have 250wtts of cfl lighting an 18"x18"x18" area.

J.

 

[OGPurp]

Thanks all for your comments. I covered the outside of the cart with white/black poly, complete with a Velcro-sealed door and moved in 2 of my mothers. On the bottom shelf are 12 clones in my home-made aero-cloner. It's great that I can roll the cart around, and it's light-proof, thus not interrupting my flowering girls.

I only need to keep these mothers alive enough to provide 6 clones/quarter. Is the 2 x 23W light sufficient? Like I said, this is the first time I've grown anything under CFLs. Peace OGP

 

[beaner]

I have two plants that have been under a long 25w cfl for about a week and look fine (I just dont have any room for them right now and they are bagseed so I figure I might as well keep them alive for now.

You should be ok with two 23w just try to keep them close to the plants if possible

 

[Guest]

cfls are most efficient at 2" from the apex. Air movement is a must at 2"

J.

 

[cobo]

HERE'S WHAT IM USING AS A MOM CAB

I hav'nt got it sorted completly but getting there , thinking i will keep 4 moms and use bottom for clones. I'm also going to put a 125w Enviro in cab too for clones when rooted ,







Here's my fms C99 MOM after taking 9 clones , She's now a BONSAI and she will stay that way






Have a look at this thread .....

ALL ABOUT BONSAI MOMS



.

 

[beaner]

Nice cab cobo, I think cfl keeps moms perfectly healthy.