I was talking about developments we have made specifically for Algae however some growers use additives like Bud factor X which are intended to produce similar plant responses to UVB by systemic acquired resistance which involves the introduction of a pathogen which triggers certain functions of a plant's immune system.
OK, so Bud factor X........is botanically handy to have at hand. Noted
If you have a good feeding/watering regime or are growing in hydroponics with a recirculating reservoir or systematic flood and drain I would recommend maintaining a low humidity throughout the grow to increase the rate of transpiration. The greater the rate of transpiration the faster a plant will replenish the essentials for photosynthesis and growth. During germination and for the first few days of growth a higher humidity can be useful as a slower transpiration rate can prevent wilting before the plant has an established root system.
Thanks, that was already penciled
It’s a very hard question to give a maximum with just saying soil or hydro because there are so many variables especially with autoflowers. By giving us more variables from the questions below we can assess the potential 3d volume, the vigour of growth and the potential size surface area of the root system then I can give you a very accurate answer of how many lights you can use without running into photoinhibition and heavy deficiencies whilst maintaining optimum plant growth and health.
Soil
Can you give me the number of plants in soil, the variety of autoflower or photoperiod (if so how long will you veg for), will they be using an advanced root structuring methods like airports and will the plants be trained (if so how) or allowed to grow freely.
Initial plan is 8 plants in soil growing freely, a bit of LST/tucking if and as deemed necessary, 2 x 22.5 l, 4 x 30 l and 2 x 50 L potato tower airpots, all with airdome (air injection from the bottom). Initially all autoflower with Dutch comPassion genetics, Think Different, Ultimate and I suspect an Euphoria may accidentally join the party....Mephisto too in due course.....and having dabbled with tomatoes for years, corners may occupy a few choice varieties(off topic, I know!) .......I will have a separate vegging area(sorry, but this will be MarsHydro lights), so plan to bring plants starting to flower under the HS1's every 6-7 weeks or so. Feed will be AN pH prefect, and TaNg's feed schedule, plus supplements.
Hydro
Can you tell me the hydroponic system you would be using and again the number of plants, the variety of autoflower or photoperiod (if so how long will you veg for), and will the plants be trained or allowed to grow freely.
No hydro for now, gotta get my weedy legs firmly planted in the ground before I going swimming......lol
Without that information a general answer without considering maximums would be between 2-4 lights in both scenarios, with 2 lights providing the most efficient natural growth rate and easy to maintains feeding schedule and 4 lights providing the best yield per square meter available but would be more demanding to keep on top of in terms of feeding, light distance from canopy and temperature.
Fair enough,.......however 16 lights for maximum performance in a 4 square meter area.....wow!!! any chance of a discount code?
Following on from the previous question we would recommend 8 units positioned in 2 columns with 4 rows if you were going to fill out the tent with plants. We would recommend the 80° x 80° diffuser for 8 lights in this format however the 90° x 60° would be useful if you intended to add more lighting at a later point e.g 2 columns with 5 rows using 10 lights or 2 columns with 6 rows etc.
Ok, I already figured on 8 for starters. I looked at your website, and see the 90x60 is elliptical, but advise taken on-board about the 80x80. I am in Holland, perhaps you can give Dutch comPassion/Crazy LED a nudge, their website at the time of writing does not offer anything like their choice in strains, it's 80x80 take it or leave it.......lol......guess they'll catch up, hopefully sooner than later.
We are producing detailed graphical instructions for this at the moment but in general and for a quick reply the first 3 diffusers should be used between 50-25cm from top canopy adjusting for optimal intensity and spread. In flowering you generally want the lights to be 30cm above plants with level canopies and for untrained plants you want the lights angled into the canopy at a distance that gives you the best surface area coverage.
Thanks, well understood. Look forward to the graphical explanations and recommendations.
GN now have the first 2 new diffusers instock but we have only made them available to select on new units so far as we are waiting for packaging and more housings to release them as accessories also. There is a checkbox option on the HS1 store page or they can be selected on request.
Thanks, ref above
