soil depth

[goldfronts]

OK, so here is my question:

rightnnow i am using rubber maid tubbs as my pots cause of their low profile (I only have 15" between the tops of the pots and my lamp), but some of the tips of my flowers are getting bleached and drying out from being too close to my 250. I am almost done with this round, so i want to try and correct this next run.

I was thinking about making some planters out of 2x3's, but was wondering if only having 3"of soil depth would have an adverse effect on my plants. I plan on making the planters hold as much soil as the rubber maids which is about 3 gallons.

so do you think having 3" of soil depth would hurt the plants,or yeild?

Thanks For any help

 

[Guest]

I don't see how that is possible. 3 inches will dry out virtually overnight for one thing...under a 250W light that close. It sounds like you have a severely restricted height problem.

Hate to say it, but from my point of view, you need to go back to the drawing board. Try for more height.

 

[goldfronts]

cool, thanks for your suggestion, but reworking the size of vertical space i have is not an option.

i am trying to find a solution within what i have to use.30" of vertical space minus 8" for the 250, minus 7" for pot height = 15" of height for flowering

my flowers are all really nice, and coming along, but it is just the ones directly under the bulb that are being affected.

I am thinking maybe i could dish my scrog more next time keepin the height lower directly under the bulb, and higher everywhere else.

any other suggestions?

 

[Guest]

Yes, Go to fluorescent tube lighting. IMO that is your only option if you have that height restriction. The reason is that 250W light simply gives off too much heat for your application. It's like putting a steak under a broiler, then wondering why it cooks.

Depending on the length and width of your space, use fluorescent tube lighting. I've seen both 4 tube 2 foot and 4 and 8 tube 4 foot T-5 systems that put out plenty enough light to flower. Lower profile will give a bit more room too. You still will have some heat and so good venting is still necessary. That short space allows heat to build rapidly if not vented...actively vented.

To make it simple permanently fix the light fixture in the top of the grow. Then just prop up pots so they are at the right height under the light. Then lower the pots as the plants grow.

What do ya think? good idea from a blitzed old guy?

Obli

PS

If you want to go the CFL route. I would mount the sockets horizontally. NOT pointed down. Uses 1/2 or less of the height(which you ain't got much of) and better light distribution as well. I have my seedlings vegging under four CFLs mounted that way. Very crude but they will be fine for a couple weeks more.

 

[clowntown]

Maybe air-cool that light and ScrOG.

 

[speedracer-x]

What about using less or no perlite? That would help with moisture retention in the soil.

 

[clowntown]

Mulch? Extra castings?

 

[TGT]

How about putting the 250 vertical, and then placing the plants around the light. You could even cool your HPS, that way the plants could get even closer. Personally, I think vertical is the best way to increase yeild with a low watt HPS. Just a suggestion, hope it helps - good luck!

TGT

 

[Jnugg]

Either slap the 250 in a cool tube or some kind of homemade a/cooled hood and scrog or take clones and scrog the mother plants then when you are ready to flower the clones out do a small simple scrog or a sog.

 

[goldfronts]

cool, thanks alot guys.

some really good suggestions given, now i have about three months till the summer is over untill i start my next run, so i am going to try and see what works best, and hopefully the next run will have less hangups.

Thanks again for your suggestions. Peace