New Grower Plant size vs strain variation

[milkmann]

I'm upgrading my setup, will have a floor space of around 90cm wide, 45 cm deep and 185cm high.

I now only use vaporisation, and using the same strain too often can result in your body getting used to that particular strain and it becomes less effective, so would be great to have lots of variation.

I was wondering what peoples thought's are on using either 4L rhizopots (smart/fabric pots) or 8L rhizopots (1 or 2 gallons.)

Either will be kind of SOG style - all pots crammed into the space.

I was going to either go for 10 x 4L (3 sativas, 3 hybrids, 4 indicas) or 6x 8L pots (2 of each). I know the 4L will just give one fat cola, which is fine.

I willl be using a ViparSpectra 300w LED with 5w diodes. I know auto's should be grown in a minimum of three gallons but I'm looking more for variation of strains than ideal growing/yield.

My question is, would I be able to harvest roughly 10-14g per plant in a 4L, and 14-20g in an 8L?

I'm stuck, any thoughts would be appreciated.

Any benefits/drawbacks to either would be great.

Cheers!

 

[milkmann]

anyone?

 

[jingo]

I get what you mean on getting a little bit too accustomed to one strain I like to keep 3 to 5 strains on hand just to avoid that.

I really don't see you achieving your goals of having that many plants in that small space. At least not getting the 10 to 14 grams per plant.

What you might consider doing is planning a continuous grow where you start one plant then in two or three weeks you start another plant xcetera. If you planned it out got a little variety within six months time you would be swimming in multiple strains of weed.

I think trying the way you're talking about with so many plants you would end up with a very small Harvest you would go through really fast.

So this continuous grow would work real nice at about 4 ounces per plant every time you harvest. Think about 4 ounces every 2 or 3 weeks. How long would it take you to build up the kind of variety you really desire?

 

[milkmann]

@jingo completely understand what you are saying. I have considered a perpetual, but I want to keep things as simple as possible as I'm away a lot, and my housemates are terrible with looking after them so keeping things simple is a must.

Do you think I'd be better off growing 5/6 plants in 8L pots instead? The idea of just having one main cola of each plant, with minimal trimming does interest me though, which could be achieved with the 4L.

Do you think I'd struggle to even make 7g per plant even though I have a 300w LED if I used 4L?

Cheers

 

[jingo]

That viper is probably about 150 actual watts, since 5 watt chips are about 50% efficient and budget lights always multiply total number chips by diode rating. So your flower footprint would be about half your space.

I'm a little stoned let me re read your question, to figure out where i was going.

 

[jingo]

Take a look at different sized square pots see what size would give you six plants in half your space. Understand smaller pots will need more attention by your mates. But yeah, I think well done, six plants 7 grams avg each would be doable. May end up with a nice surprise or two.

 

[milkmann]

@jingo okay, I was thinking about adding another 300w panel after a grow or two to enlarge the footprint and wattage, depending on how temperatures go...currently growing one plant using CFLs and the heat:quality:weight ratio is very poor, using 50-75w depending on ambient temps in 8 litre pots and expecting 10-14g. Looks real nice though. So hoping the LEDs can help with this issue, either by lowering temps or just the larger space means more plants overall, and hopefully LED will give more potent buds. Temps are from 27-33c in the cab with these CFLs. Ideally, I would like to be able to produce 3-5 ounces per grow, with at least 4 different strains, either through less 8L pots or more 4L pots

 

[jingo]

The difference between cfl and 5 watt chip on yield is immense. So take your footprint and get solid buds 18" down. Temp benefits aren't great on lower priced units. But, you can grow at higher temps because your not blasting the plants with IR, which turns your plants into radiant heaters.

 

[jingo]

Dial things in and you'll get your 3-4 ounces, consider making a mentor request. Probably more small space auto growers around that could help. If nothing else, put up a duary and start discussing your build in detail and I'm sure the help will come.

 

[milkmann]

@jingo i'm hoping I'll be able to keep temps 24-29c with the lights on, my bedroom gets up to 25c sometimes! Do you think buying an extra 300w LED would be worth it hugely for that 3x1.5 ft area? Or think the temps will get too high? Would you personally go with less 8L or more 4L pots?

I'll do a diary for these definitely. My last diary petered out because the grow went bad, and I lost heart. What is a mentor request?

Thanks dude!