Question on lights; HPS only or HPS/MH combo

[naga_sadu]

Hey'ya ppls.

I have a doubt on lighting. Several sources claim that quality of the produce is optimal when you're using HP blub in veg and MPS in flowering. Others say going alone with HPS alone all the way is sufficient. Have you noticed any difference? Yes? Is it only minor or is it noticable? Is a HPS/MH combo bulb set w/ accessories (switchable ballast etc) worth investing in or is an HPS bulb ok all the way? Thanks for the comments. Peace out.

 

[Notcoolzeuss]

Hey'ya ppls.

I have a doubt on lighting. Several sources claim that quality of the produce is optimal when you're using HP blub in veg and MPS in flowering. Others say going alone with HPS alone all the way is sufficient. Have you noticed any difference? Yes? Is it only minor or is it noticable? Is a HPS/MH combo bulb set w/ accessories (switchable ballast etc) worth investing in or is an HPS bulb ok all the way? Thanks for the comments. Peace out.

I have a 400 watt MH, and a 400 watt HPS. I'm only at day 21 of flower on my forst grow, but I would be glad to tell you what I have noticed from each light so far. They are both hung next to each other, and have been used simultaneously from the very start. During veg, the plants that were under the MH stayed shorter, with less node spacing. The plants that spent most time under the HPS during veg are a bit taller.

Once I switched to flower, I have noticed that the plants that spent more time under the HPS have much hairier buds, and seem to be flowering quicker.

I have been rotating the plants as best I can, but they still spend more time under one than the other, and these are the observations I have noticed. I can't tell you how either would affect yield, however, as I haven't harvested a single crop yet. From what I have noticed, however, the MH does seem more suited for veg, and the HPS more suited for flower, just as many have stated on this site. I would say that if the cost difference between the switchable and non-switchable ballast is a ton, just stick with the HPS. If the price difference is minimal, go with the switchable. That's what I would do. Or you could buy one of each and run them both together, like me.
Hope that helps.

 

[naga_sadu]

Thanks for your experience. It was 21 days in one post Hopefully, this helps the others too. Thanks man.

 

[Snowdog27]

I use cfl for clones and hps for a couple week of veg and flowering, the only difference I have noticed was with a mh for veg the plants have a shorter internode spacing, not worth using both if starting from clone the gains aren't that significant. I do however use booth when starting from seed.

 

[Guest]

I use a 400 watt Mh, for vegging. Then I switch over to the 1000 watt HPS for flowering. This seems to work very well. And my plants love the big difference in light you can watch them explode.

 

[CGM]

Buy a HSP Hortilux Bulb, its awesome for all grow stage's

 

[Getawaymonkey!]

I used to use both MH veg and HPS in bloom.
But now,I always use HPS only for the whole grow since discovering that I get way more females this way(like 40% more), and Ive noticed no real significant difference in growth when using MH over HPS during veg either. But thats my experience.
GL

 

[igotpron]

i would say a switchable aint a bad idea. if your spending 100 bucks on a hortilux, id buy like 40 dolla baisc halide bulb for veg, save my hortilux for flowering or late stages of veg.. not sure but if it were me i cant swing 100 bucks a bulb to often..

 

[naga_sadu]

San Agro HPS

San Agro HPS

There's a brand of light which can be used as a substitute. The San Agro HPS is what it's called. It emits 30% more blue spectrum than the std. HPS. The intensity of the red spectrum is the same as a std. HPS. I'm thinking of this as an option too. Has anybody ever used this?

I really have no experience in the indoor growing + would like to get the basics straight before venturing out. Also, in the indoors, lighting plays a key role. Thanks again for the input ppls.

 

[GrowerGoneWild]

I used to use both MH veg and HPS in bloom.
But now,I always use HPS only for the whole grow since discovering that I get way more females this way(like 40% more), and Ive noticed no real significant difference in growth when using MH over HPS during veg either. But thats my experience.
GL

Bizzare, this contradicts what I've learned... however, I'll keep an open mind.
what are your critera for increased M/F ratio?

My understanding of what conditions create more females..

-Light with more blue spectrum.
-Cool Temps.
-Lots of Nitrogen.

My last few grows usually end up with 3/4 or more F this way.

 

[Pipedream]

If you are going to grow for personal use and the entertaining of friends, a 150w HPS is all you really need. They are cheap to buy and run, and don't create a heat problem.

With a little planning, you can get great results. Check out the link in my signature.....

 

[Ganoderma]

the fuller your light spectrum the better results you can get, but you can get away with just using either kind of light, but a fuller spectrum is better all the way around.

 

[smoked_out]

why not find a way to angle them to shine on both plant at the same time

 

[GrowerGoneWild]

the fuller your light spectrum the better results you can get, but you can get away with just using either kind of light, but a fuller spectrum is better all the way around.

Nawww.. agriculture type HPS is best suited for MJ. I tell you what, it really
adds to the mass of buds. Its all about that red spectrum light.

However.. I've noticed when growing other herbs like chives for example, when using only MH its more compact, greener.. and it has a more intense aroma. Vs some chives i've grown under HPS... and yes I'm actually talking about chives.

But nothing beats sunlight.

 

[Guest]

i use mk for veg and hps for flower i would liek to see how things turn out i may try using only mh for both...