Yes. Good thinking. That might just work. I had a 600W HPS (was suggested by my supplier it was fine to use in veg - it was more about the timing. But my temps spiked by something like 15c/ -10-15% RH (non cooled light) and I couldn’t manage it with my fans. I am pretty sure part of my problems is having so much unused space.
In a way, I could be fortunate that I have options.
Do you know if there is an impact on the plants (more like adjustment period) in switching veg or flowering plants from LED to 600W HPS (the light is rated at 900W but somebody mentioned it was actually closer to 450 real watts) or vice versa?
I was even thinking about a small humidifier for the tent - but I think I’ll give the girls a chance to perform in current conditions first - under my watchful and paranoid eye!
@SheilaT - thanks for taking an interest!
Update: Dropped the light to 32" from canopy. 2 1/2 hrs later and I have a constant and toasty 25 Celsius and 47% RH. I can even see patches of drier soil - which were not visible before. So that gave me +5C and -5% RH with fans on hi. Foliage looking better - new growth really strong.
Sun is out girls! Soak it up!!!
Thanks for the tag in
Happy to have you along!
Awesome mate, nothing better than getting your environment sorted ,trust me it took me a fair few attempts to dial it all in
yes U definitely can switch lights from led to hps ,the old led or blurples are ok for veg but the hps would be better to flower with
If I had a 600w hps or a shit led I’d choose the hps everyday of the week ,hps will definitely grow big monsters
Exactly - it will always give me an achievable baseline. My main concern is the temperature spike and RH drop I got with the HPS - but as I mentioned somewhere - I think it was probably my fault for putting a full power light over 3 little girls in an otherwise empty tent. Probably with a canopy the impact may not be so great - that is my only concern. I look at where I have my climate now - 15C cooler. The HPS had me up in high 30s C and 40% RH - the canopy is an unknown.
If I were to switch to the HPS for flowering - or a part of - and I cannot get the climate sorted, can I revert back to the LED - or will they starve having gotten used to the HPS.
I would love to get the weight and density available from the HPS option.
If you were to change back to a led I would make sure it’s a top grade led or plants might go into some shock an stress ,risking Hermie
Just have a crack with what your using now if all else fails you will at least no what works ,pretty soon you will be buying a high end led or a hps set up ,I’m using the hlg 550 rspec and X2 electric sky 300 led and I can’t say enough good things about these lights amazing
If I could get my hands on one at the right price I would get the lumatek Zeus pro 600 very good light and on par if not better than the hlg
That was my exact concerns - sending them hermie.
I think I’ll either let the LED’s go the full grow - or maybe finish with the HPS for the last couple of weeks - when I expect the RH will be a challenge to keep down - possibly a win/ win?
All the reviews I have seen on the light I have - have been good. I know it’s not a top end light - and probably isn’t equal to a 900 watt HPS (as stated in the spec (dribble).
I would love to get a really sweet lighting set up eventually - like the high end stuff you mention. Probably get 2 or 3 grows out successfully first before I go silly!
Have to start somewhere - and I figure if I can get my checks and balances done ‘manually’ - hit targets without the use of all the high end gizmos - it has to set me up better to learn.
I’m a hands on, nuts n bolts guy - not a schooled guy.
Everybody raves about the HLG stuff - that would be high on my list. I do like the look of those Electric Sky 300 units. How long are they physically?
Thanks for the help in getting my thinking straight…
And now for bowls…
Morning everyone!
Dang… @Aussieorganic throwing down some knowledge!
Everyone chipping in for a successful grow!
Awesome community!!
Now I know nothing about HP but I use Mars Hydro full spectrum LEDs beginning to end. It depends on which lights you have LEDs are powerful mine are 300w each from the wall. You just have to do your research there are a lot of junk lights out there too but I like the Mars line they work well without breaking your wallet like some of the better know quality LED lines. They may be better I just can’t afford to find out. I’ve only had one grow ever and got a half pound per plant dried and trimmed I’m running 2 TSL2000 with 4 plants They are less expensive to run and not as hot
That is one of my concerns - that the light I have doesn’t have the punch needed. All the reviews say they do. I’ll just have to keep going with the LED - and see how the girls perform when they get into full flower. My concerns with the HPS may not be an issue once I have a canopy - that is the trick - no reference points - yet. Creating them as I go - and it will be interesting to see what changes I can cause or counteract with what I have. I do like a challenge 
My girls just woke up - looking much happier - a little more dry soil visible - but still weight in the pots.
(Not sure about this filter on the pic)
Some nice new growth coming through…
Time for a haircut soon… just a bit off he top!
The time has come to top my girls tomorrow - they are looking great - but if I let them grow much taller, I might run out of room… I got some Clonex (for softwood) today, got my solo cups, domes and a tent with light.
-
Is there any issue with taking a top that is about 6" long?
The girls are about 17" at the moment. That still leaves me plenty of nodes to thicken up and grow out before I flip them. -
How long to leave cut clones in water before rooting in soil?
I read everywhere that the cut clone needs to be let sit in water to stop oxygen from entering. All good - and I have the gel to dip them. But nowhere does it really state just how long to leave them in water…
I’m thinking maybe another week or two to thicken up and grab a few more clones before flipping.
I might even try a few monster clones… just for a giggle!
@beardless @MrPeat @Dman1969 @Cannabian @Davyg @DankBank22 @MadCandy @Aussieorganic
Your comments are always valued
Hey @Budz420 dang 3 more hours before likes. Looking good my man!
No the length of the topping shouldn’t matter.
Just cut your newest top growth off of the main stalk. Just ever so slightly above where the growth meets the node. Use super sharp trimmers and disinfect them with alcohol first or sterilize them somehow. Helps to cut down on nasties getting into your plant for the fresh cut.
As for the clone cuts in water, yes immediately put them in water after you cut, like…snip, dip.
This will prevent air from penetrating the cut branch. The air bubbles will keep your cuts from rooting, and kill em pretty quick.
You can leave the in the water for up to 48hrs or longer. It’s just a way to keep air out. They will only need to be in the water until you have prepped your clone set up. Soon as you’re ready to dip in rooting gel they can come out of the water. 
Hey there @DankBank22 - 3 hours? You must be shakin’! 
Yeah they have come on nicely. Still not watered - still not needed yet. But I don’t think I can let that slow me (unless there is a negative impact). Oh my trimmers are like razors and a container of metho on hand. The clone tent is up and running, seem to be holding mid 20s C (I have a domed cup of soil in as a trial run - not checked readings yet though). The ability of this Canna-soil to hold water is amazing. Filled a solo cup to about 3/4" from the top, patted down soil slightly and the cups have drain holes. It took 75 ml of water - with still no run off! I realise that under domes that moisture will help me. But in general use… WOW!
I’ll have them ready to cut, sink, dip, trim and plant pretty much straight away.
What is the impact on the plants thirst after topping? Does the stress and energy use encourage more uptake, or does the plant slow, catch its breath and then start gulping?
First time trying this. No clue. So here is the sophisticated system I am using
They came from plants 4 weeks into flower. Put in water right after cutting (the ones in black pots, it was actually distilled water w/ a very little sugar). Got some rooting powder and dipped the stems and put them in my normal grow soil with added vermiculite a couple of days ago.
Wanted to see how the first two responded. Will move this one to soil of some kind in a couple of days.
I have distilled water in the dish, watered the cuttings into the soil and keep the domes moist. No expectations - see what happens. Hey - they haven’t died.
I have never top ever. I prefer my girls to be plus sized and bushy. Now my women its the complete opposite. 
Hey Budz, yeah so when you top, that is a form of HST. High Stress training…you know this.
What is does is, right now you’ve got your main cola. All the plants energy is being focused on that “Christmas tree” cola. Once you top, the plant will go into a “shock” but in a very, very good way. All those growth hormones that are being directed into the one cola, will now re-distribute themselves into anywhere from 1-8 new colas. Depending on strain, enviro, blah blah. The plant will use all of its power to get that main cola back, but since it’s gone, it ends up pushing out new colas, however many you may get.
Ok - so you are trying the monster cropping! Awesome - kee to see that - they took really well. Where on the plant did you take them? Down low somewhere? I believe they take best.
I am keen to try that with these girls as well. If my plan works I will have cloned tops and branches from veg and cloned branches from flowering - there should be a lot as I haven’t done any trimming.
If that is the case, I will have a heap of clones - from clones. Being that the the clones are as old as their benefactor - they are established thriving small plants… Sea of Green and into a SCROG…
Must stop thinking… I keep finding spots in my house that I can seal, line, vent light and use!!!
