Hi guys, as I’ve mentioned before I’m growing outdoors in the tropics which is on a natural 12/12 light cycle so I’m adding an extra 6hrs of artificial light through the veg stage and for my mother’s. Can someone please recommend some lights/LED’s that will work well in my greenhouse. I’m looking for the cheapest option because I’m only trying to keep them awake for the extra 6hrs as they grow plenty in the sun so I’m hoping there’s a decent solution I can buy at a hardware store. Also for early veg stages indoors I’m looking for a cheap/DIY lighting solution to veging my seedlings and clones before transplanting outdoors, I hear CFL bulbs can work if so how many watts are recommended? Thanks in advance
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LED info
- Thread starter SparcOne1
- Start date
MedFaced
Active member
Mars Hydro is probably one of the better low budget led options. If you like DIY, look into the quantum boards kits. You can save a few bucks if you build it yourself.
For cfls, you want cool white with as many watts as you can find. You can also get bulb splitters at the hardware shop so you can put multiple bulbs into one fixture. Getting a t5 is better than using cfls if you can spare the extra cash.
For cfls, you want cool white with as many watts as you can find. You can also get bulb splitters at the hardware shop so you can put multiple bulbs into one fixture. Getting a t5 is better than using cfls if you can spare the extra cash.
Ok, well here's what I know; Cannabis measures the length of the night rather than the day. Nights as long as 12 hours trigger flowering. Outdoor growers in southern latitudes have had success breaking the night cycle and keeping plants in veg by turning a light on for an hour in the middle.
I'm not an expert in this, just relaying info I've learned here. If no one with experience posts, I'm sure you can find threads about this exact subject going into great depth.
Maybe here;
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=253700
I'm not an expert in this, just relaying info I've learned here. If no one with experience posts, I'm sure you can find threads about this exact subject going into great depth.
Maybe here;
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=253700
Exactly what I was thinking.
Douglas.Curtis
Autistic Diplomat in Training
I've used this method with hybrids, and the results were good with the strains I used. I've read reports of more WLD type plants not doing so well with it, but I don't normally grow those. You can look for "the gaslight method" I believe? This may turn up more threads on it.
The main effect I noticed was the plants do their 'stretch' in veg and then quit. When you finally trigger flowering, I did not notice much of a stretch response.
SILs (Screw in LED) lights may be your most inexpensive option. Check out this thread for information on the best brands/styles to pick up and avoid.
Ok thanks for the replies, I figured any light would keep them ‘awake’ and from pre flowering thanks for clarifying that. A more specific question what would be the cheapest light source to veg my seedlings and clones inside. It’s way too hot here to put them out until they have a stable root system, they will burn but I found once they have got to 10cm+ they can handle the sun plus I transplant them so they have a lot more soil to keep the roots cool. The reason for my budget gorilla grow is I have a new born baby so not much money to spend on grow gear and because it’s sunny all year round here I shouldn’t have to. 
AgentPothead
Just this guy, ya know?
Oh man I can't find the link now, but I vaguely remember an actual paper that they found 12-16 minutes of light every 6 hours of darkness was enough time to reset the plants. My googlefu is failing me and I lost all my bookmarks a few years ago.
Here's a Mars Hydro SP 250 I'm using for the first time. It doesn't put out hardly any heat, a oscillating fan blowing on the ballast and your fine. The plants haven't stretched much, the Bellini didn't even stretch. I'm a old HPS guy, but Jesus this LED is bright man. And there just a lot easier to use, I still use hps, but would love to have the money to buy about 2 more of these for a 6x6 flowering room.
Heres the Mars Hydro in action
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=362317
Heres the Mars Hydro in action
https://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=362317
Cheapest/easiest option is cfl's, although I suggest T5's. The old school T8's will work, but cfl's are a better option imo.
Douglas.Curtis
Autistic Diplomat in Training
This is an LED info thread. Considering the price differences, it's rather ridiculous to consider most CFLs or any T5-T8 options. What little you'll save on purchases will quickly be outstripped by the difference in electrical usage.
It's a huge waste of electricity, without a yield to back it up.
He's not counting on them to yield, he said he just needs something cheap and cool running to get his seedlings and clones to 4 inches tall before he puts them in the tropical sun.
Actually this is a "gas lantern technique" thread under the guise of "LED info". In reality the plants will get their photosynthetic energy from the sun in the OP's case. The additional lighting is simply to inhibit the hormone accumulation associated with dark periods, so that the plant does not flower prematurely.
Douglas.Curtis
Autistic Diplomat in Training
As a gaslight, HID would work fine. They're really cheap these days. Still, SILs are just about as cheap and will run much cooler. Something which can also be used indoor later.
Still, SILs are just about as cheap and will run much cooler. Something which can also be used indoor later.
As a gaslight, HID would work fine. They're really cheap these days.
Sure, you could spend $100 on a HID setup that you could use later, but the OP asked for the cheapest setup, which would be screw in cfl's for $5.
