RE: [CH] Grow light questions (was CHD V5 #83)
Ed Cutrell (ecutrell@darkwing.uoregon.edu)
Thu, 22 Oct 1998 11:44:27 -0700 (PDT)
> I've got a 400w Metal Halide lamp downstairs (ask me no questions, I'll
> tell you no lies) that I plan on setting a hab and a pequin plant under
> for the winter. It is real, real bright and gives good coverage over
> ...
> a couple other plants upstairs in the limited light that seeps through
> the cloud cover over the winter months. I'm pretty sure there will be a
> difference in growth/yield between the two but am curious to see how
> much and if its worth running the lamp.
A friend has a 400w HPS lamp that he used for an overwintered hab. That
sucker produced and produced and PRODUCED! The spectrum of the HPS is
supposedly better for flowering/fruiting, but I don't think it probably
makes *that* much diff. If you didn't get much of a yield due to the sadly
short growing season this year (I feel your pain--I'm in Eugene), it's
probably worth the electricity if you've already got the lighting set-up.
For the plants in the window, my experience is that they go dormant for the
winter--no flowers or fruit 'til March or so, and then the first flush are
mostly tiny unfertilized berries.
> For those of you who bring plants in, what's your goal? Are you trying
> to just maintain the plants until the next spring/summer or is anyone
This is usually my goal. I often find that overwintered (prized) plants
produce much heavier yields the second year, and produce earlier. This is
especially important here in Oregon where the season doesn't usually get
rolling 'til June.
ed