I've decided to use 200 w CFL bulbs for my next grow. Through recent research I've done discovered the need to use two different bulbs for flowering(2700K) and vegetation(6500K). My question is should they both be used during the entire grow process or do I simply need to switch them when converting between the vegetative and flowering cycles. Any help would be great. Thanks
You switch from 6500k (veg) to 2700k (flower). Plus, 400w on 1 plant isn't really needed. I'd also start it with a lower watt CFL for it's first week or two of life to play it safe.
I was planning on growing 6 plants. Im planning on using a couple of smaller bulbs around the side or would that be overkill?
Can never have enough light when the plant is past its seedling stage Also, it's generally accepted that 1 plant needs at least 100 real watts with CFL.
Sorry, just to clarify. 200 w of cfl are equal to bout 600 regular watts. so a 200 w cfl bulb will be sufficient for 6 plants? That was atleast the conversion i seen online.
You want to stick with the real watts the CFL bulb says it is. So a 200w CFL bulb is 200 real watts. Don't worry about the conversion when growing, just the real number. A single 200w CFL bulb will be great for 1 plant. It will be alright for 2 plants. I wouldn't stretch 1 200w bulb further than 3 plants.
"Equivalent" watts is totally irrelevant and means absolutely nothing when it comes to growing. And yes add side lighting if you are considering that, 400w CFLs is not a lot for 6 plants. Better yet, don't get the CFLs at all and get a 400w HPS/MH combo. You'll get many more lumens out of the same wattage.