Question about spacing plants

[Bgreenheadband]

So i'm having a hard time understanding light footprints, and distribution of light. Geometry is something i just cant get my head around, so please excuse the ignorance.


I have 9 plants in the area described below.
THe X's are my lights (Xtra sun 8's) they aren't exactly where they are, but that is the pattern, just as centered as possible.

Each hood is 21x21". I have the plants in rows of threes, with about 1'9" of space between them horizontally, and 1'4" going the other way.
They are hung about 2 1/2 to 3' apart going up and down on the figure and maybe 4 ft across




6'11"
I--------------------------I
I I
I X X I <----- 5'9"
I X I
I I
I X X I
I-------------------------- I



It would be very easy to cut the space inhalf, and use 4 lights instead. SO two X's would stay in the same spot, and the other two would line up with the first set , but go where the middle X is.
Would this be better? To ensure a canopy? Or should they just be spaced out and blasted with more light, but not have a full canopy?

I feel like the answer to this quetion will let me decided on whether or not to lollipop too. IF i cut the room size down and have a fuller canopy i probably would, but if they are just their own big bush, i wouldn't.

I am 2 days into 12/12, and they are probably 3 1/2 feet tall in the buckets, and fairly wide.

They are different strains, but are growing fairly similar with the exception of the cheese (i have cheese, chem d, white, jacks cleaner)

sorry if this is confusing or doesn't make sense..ill gladly try and answer any questions about it. Thanks


* ** SORRY that diagram did NOT work out how i expected...sanjaun helped me out with how it really looks* **

 

[sanjuan]

If this is what you have, I don't think you can do any better:

 

[Bgreenheadband]

If this is what you have, I don't think you can do any better:

yup thats it....i just was wondering if itd be better to have a full canopy......that is the set up, but im not sure if they will get big/bushy enough to have a canopy.....

 

[B. Friendly]

tip for in my room for every 400watt i have 21 girls and I would have 25 normally

So I am just sayin all my girls are topped also to make em even bushier.

i have had 8 girls under 6lights and got like 4p's when they grew 5-6 feet.

and with 100-2gallon pots got 9p's

just a thought for next time, experimenting is half the battle.

Good luck

 

[sanjuan]

To keep the plant count down to nine and have a variety of strains growing, I'd recommend vegging for a longer period of time (next time) if you think your current grow is not going to fill in the available space.
Oh, I just re-read your post. Three-and-a-half footers should be all you'd want at this point. Having different strains (and phenos) makes it more unlikely you will have an even canopy. LST (bend 'em over as needed).

 

[Pompey_Monkey]

LST (bend 'em over as needed).

I agree with sanjuan about that. Depending on the strain, I've had ok to very good results by LSTing during stretch. Your plants will probably fill the gaps in nicely and you'll have a sea of buds if you have any luck at all!

This is just two plants in a 4' by 4' space, LST'd during veg and stretch:

https://www.icmag.com/ic/picture.php?albumid=24805&pictureid=538462 GAH - can't get the picture to show, but it's in my gallery.

Good luck!

 

[sanjuan]

Nice pair of Satoris, Pompey!

 

[alfie moon]

Yeh pompey, thats a nice bit of bud!

 

[Pompey_Monkey]

Thank you sanjuan and alfie moon.

I've only got about a dozen complete grows under my belt and every time it turns out different. You never stop learning - which makes the whole process, from cradle to joint, even more fun

Bgreenheadband:
You're proactively thinking about your set-up. That's 90% of the battle. I'm sure you'll find the best arrangement for your plants and lights in a short time, if it's not already there!

 

[bu11dog]

Have 4 lights equally spaced from the middle, not as far out as on the diagram, then put another light in the middle.

Peace