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Question about the Veg and Flower switches on my lights.

growsomebuds

growsomebuds

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Hi all, I just bought two Viparspectra LED lights. Both are 450 watt equivalent. What I don't know is whether I should have both the Veg and Flower switches on during the veg stage? Also, I'm only growing two plants in a 3' x 3' area. Do you thing I need to be running both of my lights during the veg and flower stages?
 
You can have the light on full spectrum but it would probably be best to only use the veg spectrum for early stage of growth. When the canopy starts occupying a good amount of space and you are near flowering, you can think about using full spectrum.

My article on using light efficiently might benefit you.
 
Thanks, I have your article bookmarked for reading later. Until then, you wouldn't turn of the veg switch when it comes time to enable 12/12 lighting? My plants were only "born" a handful of days ago, so for now, I just use 3 A19 style LED bulbs in the 6500K range to get them going. Then I'll meve them to my tent w/ the big boy lights. lol Do you think that's a good way to start my plants out? Or should I just shut up and read your article? :D
 
I always used both switches. Never tried one. But yes you can easily use one of those lights for veg. Switch to both lights in flowering.
 
Yes starting off with lights of lower photon flux is a good way to maximize light utilization efficiency. This is what i detail in my article.

Most lights run veg and bloom on seperate circuits, as a result veg or bloom on their own use less power than when used together. Most manufacturers recommend using both switches during flowering.

Ask away if you wish for more information.
 
I have those lights and have run them just as DANGERDAN advised you.
When they all fit under one light I just use one (Veg switch only)
Once I transplant up and they can't fit under one I add the second (Veg switch only)
I flip the bloom switch on about 7-10 days prior to the flip, which is when the canopy is pretty much full.
I run mid/late Veg at 21" and Flower closer to 15", but in discussion with DANGERDAN I think I will work both of those closer to 18" in the future. I am flowering at 15", and some a little closer actually, now, because there is just no more room to raise lights - no problems yet, but I'd like to be 16-18"
 
On my 2x4 tents i can use one all the way through veg. My first grow I finished with one. Got 6 ounces. Second grow i used two and got 12. Tent full in veg stage just not enough light for flowering. 2 lights doubled the yield. Trying different stuff all the time so. But i was very happy both times.
 
Redwasp said:
On my 2x4 tents i can use one all the way through veg. My first grow I finished with one. Got 6 ounces. Second grow i used two and got 12. Tent full in veg stage just not enough light for flowering. 2 lights doubled the yield. Trying different stuff all the time so. But i was very happy both times.
Click to expand...

Hi, Redwasp, what kind of light did you use? How many plants were you growing? And what kind of veg/bloom lighting were you employing during the veg and flower stage?
 
Should I have a plastic bottle over each? I had a CFL over the plant w/ temp gauge, and a 6500K LED over the other plant. And the one on the left was born 3 days after the right one. Makes me think I should start my plants under CFL bulbs. Now that their both out and proud, should I change to a 18/6 light schedule? So far, the lights have been on 24 hours/day.
 

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Campesino said:
I have those lights and have run them just as DANGERDAN advised you.
When they all fit under one light I just use one (Veg switch only)
Once I transplant up and they can't fit under one I add the second (Veg switch only)
I flip the bloom switch on about 7-10 days prior to the flip, which is when the canopy is pretty much full.
I run mid/late Veg at 21" and Flower closer to 15", but in discussion with DANGERDAN I think I will work both of those closer to 18" in the future. I am flowering at 15", and some a little closer actually, now, because there is just no more room to raise lights - no problems yet, but I'd like to be 16-18"
Click to expand...

Some clarification; How many plants are under your lights? When it's time to flip the bloom switch on, is the veg switch switched off?
 
First grow i didn't know better. Grew 4. So not alot per plant. Remember yields are directly correlated to how much light each plant gets. Second grow went to 3 plants but 2 lights. Yield doubled. Now dont think that adding more light keeps working that way as eventually they are oversaturated. All future grows I went to 2 plants under 2 viperspectrum 450 watt leds in the 2x4. I get more from 2 well cared for plants than i did with 3 or 4 that lacked in light or room. I now use those setups for autos and use1000watt hps/mh for my photos. We will see. Will give yields on my latest auto in about 20 days after cut/dryed/cured. Only about 7 inches tall guessing 7? Its green crack.
 
Sorry guessing 7 ounces as its all buds and takes more than half the 2x4 tent maybe more. And with the light and room they are hard as rocks.
 
Redwasp said:
First grow i didn't know better. Grew 4. So not alot per plant. Remember yields are directly correlated to how much light each plant gets. Second grow went to 3 plants but 2 lights. Yield doubled. Now dont think that adding more light keeps working that way as eventually they are oversaturated. All future grows I went to 2 plants under 2 viperspectrum 450 watt leds in the 2x4. I get more from 2 well cared for plants than i did with 3 or 4 that lacked in light or room. I now use those setups for autos and use1000watt hps/mh for my photos. We will see. Will give yields on my latest auto in about 20 days after cut/dryed/cured. Only about 7 inches tall guessing 7? Its green crack.
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Thanks, man. I have two of the same lights as you. I have a ~3 x 3 foot grow area, encompassed by 3 walls I covered in mylar. I'm only doing two plants.
 
Take care of them, train them, top them, check ph, use proper nutrients, and treat them.like your babies and will be very very happy in the end.
 
How many plants = 6 = too many
Never run Bloom switch alone. Either Veg only or Both. Never Bloom only.

Check out my current grow journal and you will see for yourself why 6 = too many! I am making it work, but it is a lot of work! There is a method to my madness, but I don't recommend others to follow this route! 2 plants in a 3x3 is a good plan!
 
Redwasp said:
Take care of them, train them, top them, check ph, use proper nutrients, and treat them.like your babies and will be very very happy in the end.
Click to expand...

Yes, sir. I will do everything you said, as I did on my 1st grow. I've learned a little during my 1st grow. This 2nd grow will benefit.
 

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I still am wondering if my newly sprouted plants should still be on 24 hours of light or if I should switch to 18/6 by now.
 
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