Natural sunlight?

[doobnVA]

In the event that it ever becomes "legal" to grow cannabis where I live, I was wondering if I could get an expert opinion on a few grow room design questions I've got.

First, natural sunlight: Is it a good thing to have supplemental natural sunlight for a small indoor grow? The room in question gets about 6 hours of pretty much direct light through a window. I would be using some T5's and CFL's in the room, as well.

What's everyone's opinion on this? Good idea or no?

Second, how long does it take (on average) from germination to it's usable form ? How long for growing and how long for drying/curing? I'd only grow enough for personal use - about 2 oz per month habit, and I can't figure out how many plants I'd need to grow and in what kind of rotation to be able to support that until I know how long it takes from start to finish.

Any input is appreciated!

 

[stumps]

seems like it would work good for vegging. and you could rig a dark room for flower,

 

[doobnVA]

seems like it would work good for vegging. and you could rig a dark room for flower,

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. If I cover the window, the room is completely dark. If my dark 12 hours are say, 8pm to 8am or something (the window is on the west side of the house, so it doesn't get any real sun until around noon) and then light for 12 hours with the help of the sun.

I can do my watering and stuff when it's light and just close it up and leave them alone at night, right?

 

[doobnVA]

I can cover the window at night for 12 hours of dark, though, right? It's a west facing window, so it doesn't get any real sun until around noon. Dark enough, I think, with the window covered up. The sunlight would just be supplemental to the t5s and CFLs.

No?

 

[stumps]

Yes it would be a pain thats for sure. I would use the sun for veg and maybe some time in the day when I could in flower

 

[doobnVA]

Yeah I have thought about the pain in the ass factor. It's not really a matter of needing more light as it is a matter of wanting to make the most of what light there is - the cheaper the better (and sunlight is free).

Thanks for the replies

 

[somebuddy]

If it becomes legal, put them outside. Sunlight coming in a window will cause your plants to stretch toward the window, and i would not really advise it, plus even when it becomes legal i would not want my neighbors to see or smell it. Its still easier to steal it than work at growing your own.

 

[doobnVA]

If it becomes legal, put them outside. Sunlight coming in a window will cause your plants to stretch toward the window, and i would not really advise it, plus even when it becomes legal i would not want my neighbors to see or smell it. Its still easier to steal it than work at growing your own.

Thanks, I was wondering about whether or not it may cause the plants to stretch toward the window.

The reason I'd choose to grow them indoors rather than outdoors is, like you said, because it's easier to steal it than to grow your own. I think this would still apply even if it were legal. It's also easier to control pests indoors, and I already have a grow room setup that I'm using to start veggie and flower seedlings so it wouldn't take much in the way of adjustments to accommodate a few cannabis plants.

I guess I could always experiment with the plants I'm currently growing to see if they tend to stretch toward the window when it's uncovered.

 

[CrackerJax]

No doubt they will head for the window. Any plant prefers natural light over artificial...