New Grower Autoflower Rookie Lighting Question!?

[justintrudeau]

Hey all..soo I'm 32 days into my grow and my plants are starting to flower soo I was wondering when I should switch my 6400 kalvin bulbs for my 2700 kalvin bulbs? Should I wait till the vertical growth stops? Any help is greatly appreciated..
Cheers

 

[Waximus]

Hi JT, I think if you wait until vertical growth slows down before switching, you're maxing your yield potential. Earlier switch can have benefits- smaller plant(s), faster transition, etc. Depending on your grow space, either can be a good thing.

 

[pop22]

IMO, leave the 6400k in the full grow. it will help reduce stretch a bit and will produce just as good bud. The 2700K MIGHT give a bit more bud, but all I can say is I got 6 oz out of 1 White Widow under 600 watt MH run the whole grow.

 

[justintrudeau]

Well I should also add that they are only side lighting as my main light is a 405 watt led. And the plants are quite short..12.5 inches as of this morning. (Pics in journal click sig at bottom) I do have room for stretch and wouldn't mind a lil more.

 

[Waximus]

With full spectrum LED overhead, I'd stay with 6400k for sides, then.

 

[pop22]

Well I should also add that they are only side lighting as my main light is a 405 watt led. And the plants are quite short..12.5 inches as of this morning. (Pics in journal click sig at bottom) I do have room for stretch and wouldn't mind a lil more.

MH light rarely needs side lighting. If your plants fit withing the light footprint they should be fine. a 400 watt should be able to cover a 3'x3' area. in a tent or with reflective material, a 3'x4' coverage is feasible. with a 400 watt NH you should be able to keep the light at about 198-20" above the plants.

 

[justintrudeau]

With full spectrum LED overhead, I'd stay with 6400k for sides, then.

Thanks bro....I just don't want the $ I spent on the 2700's to go wasted..lol but I guess I can put my thrifty ways aside for the greater good...although I think i may have a way to use both...I may go 2 x 2700 and 2 x 6400. That way I gott em both covered.

 

[pop22]

save that bulb, and use it when the MH is in need of replacement. And you never know when one may burnout so...

 

[Waximus]

JT, I have a supplimental T5 in the auto closet right now, and did just that- 2 and 2.

 

[justintrudeau]

Thanks again guys...soo here is what I ended up doing....I took out 1 of the 3 6400's soo I will have a spare on tap....and I added a 2700. Soo its now 2x 2700 and 2 x 6400 and of course my led. Who knows unless you try eh?. Thanks for all the advice waxi and popp! Always appreciated and respected!!
Cheers