What Will Yeild More?

[BAGZ]

Ok, Im currently growing bagseed under 12-30 watt cfls (Total of 360 watts) Each putts off 2000 lumens so I have a total of 24,000 lumens, Im trying to figure out if I will get a bigger yeild growing 6 plants which will give each plant 60 watts each and 4000 lumens or If I should grow 3 plants which will give each plant 120 watts each and 8000lumens.... I know if I only grow 3 I will get a bigger yeild off EACH PLANT but would it be more all together then if I grew 6?

[Mishin]

i think the question you should ask yourself is how long do you want to keep these plants in the veg state. im in the same situation as you except my problem is not having enough lite for my 6 plants even though i only want to veg them for a month to get rid of the males asap... but if youve got the space, go for six!

[Enuff4All2Share]

I don't think the math for lights is so cut & dry. You don't have a pile of 24,000 lumens that you sort up and divy between your plants. Each light has an area that it illuminates, and the effect is cumulative. What I mean is that, depending upon where a bud site is located, it could be recieving lumens from three primary cfls - one may be 1" away and be contributing 1800 lumens, the second could be 5" and give 1200, the third 3" with 1450 lumens to contribute - making 4450 lumens (these numbers are totally from out my a$$). But now consider the effect of secondary bulbs - basically any point of light with an unobstructed line to that bud site. The addition of reflective walls and hood also add to the amount of light available. With 12 CFL's, you could attach them all to a flat piece of wood (first painting white or covering with reflective material) in a pattern that looks even and make a killer sea of green hood (I found that CFL's yield best in a s.o.g.). I did well enough with 12 plants and 3 desk lamps (each split with a Y and outfitted with a blueish 26w and a reddish 42w). No matter what, I'm sure you'll have fun.

E4A2S

[obejii]

"I don't think the math for lights is so cut & dry. You don't have a pile of 24,000 lumens that you pile up and divy between your plants."

Thats right the lumens your pushing isnt all added, realisticly your plants even with only one plant is just getting what it needs to survive,not thrive. i would suggest redesighning your growroom. you can do better than household bulbs.

don't let my negative spin on this ruin your fun by all means grow this if you wish, for its the only way you will get the experiance(plus any free bud is good bud)

[doob3r]

imho, grow less, but bigger plants, they will yield more and give you tons of more space for the buds to fatten up and more light penetration through the canopy

[Enuff4All2Share]

I've found larger plants to be a poor match to fluorescent lights. How do you propose to get the best yield with large plants and cfls?

E

[Overflow]

fuck the yield and just get magical buds!

Them 3 plants with 120watts each will have MUCH better buds, although it will definately weigh less overall.

[Enuff4All2Share]

I just don't see 4 CFL's lighting a 5 footer very well, no matter how nicely you arrange them. I have seen some friends grow their plants tall with fluoros and it makes a patchy plant, unless you have a LOT of lighting - and then HID's are almost always a better option.

E

[CaliGrower]

Originally Posted by BAGZ

Ok, Im currently growing bagseed under 12-30 watt cfls (Total of 360 watts) Each putts off 2000 lumens so I have a total of 24,000 lumens, Im trying to figure out if I will get a bigger yeild growing 6 plants which will give each plant 60 watts each and 4000 lumens or If I should grow 3 plants which will give each plant 120 watts each and 8000lumens.... I know if I only grow 3 I will get a bigger yeild off EACH PLANT but would it be more all together then if I grew 6?

Lumens are not cumulative. That means if you have 100 bulbs each putting out 2000 lumens you still are only putting out 2000 lumens and not 100x2000.