CFL grow - 5 plants

Hi there,

I'm going to start an indoor grow in a tailor and the space is very big but i am looking at growing 5 quality plants...

I know the rule for CFL's : 100w for the first plant then 50w per every other plant, so i am looking at about 300 watts total.

The area I am going to build is probably going to be about 5ft x 5ft x 6ft tall.

Now i know that i am supposed to be using 6500K for veging and 2700K for flowering, but the bulbs are so expensive if i am looking at buying the 100watters.

Anyone know of any good places to pick up cheap cfl bulbs? My spending limit is probably 60.00 on the bulbs....

Hardware stores usually sell them cheap. Usually 4 packs of 23 watt bulbs are sold for under $8.

Where did you get that CFL rule? If you don't mind me asking....

TeaTreeOil said:

Hardware stores usually sell them cheap. Usually 4 packs of 23 watt bulbs are sold for under $8.

Where did you get that CFL rule? If you don't mind me asking....

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Yeah, kinda wondering about that rule as well. I'de say its more like 15-25w per cubic foot - 300w of cfl might cover 5 small plants but i doubt 5 big ones.

walmart has the cheapest CFL's store brand, but they're 2700k color, $8 for 4-pack 26 watt. Hardware stores like lowes/homedpot have $10 for 4-pack any color 26 watt.

I believe homedepot sells a 42 and 68 watt CFL.

compactfluorescentusa.com Platinum 42w 2700k 3000 lumen 170w replacement- $4.97 ea.

I have a few myself, very versatile bulb. Work great in pairs.

Gastanker said:

Yeah, kinda wondering about that rule as well. I'de say its more like 15-25w per cubic foot - 300w of cfl might cover 5 small plants but i doubt 5 big ones.

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I was thinking more along the lines of 50-100 W/cubic foot while flowering(suggested min-'max'). Starting out though, I agree with what you suggest.

Or another way I've thought about it:
I'd say 13W/sq foot is a fair minimum for starting out to about 6". Then double that(26W). One foot, double it(52W). Two feet double it(104W). Four feet, double it(208W). Etc.