It seems that some growers can do fine with those “blurple” type lights, others say they are all garbage.
Your 1200w is probably 120w max with both switches on. Only way to really know is with a power meter.
Unless you are willing and able to return it and invest in something better, I would advise running both bloom and veg at the same time all through the grow. Just adjust height as needed for different stages.
If you want to “do it right” @dbrn32 can point you to a good light for the long haul. Just decide what your max budget is.
2 Likes
Only 120 w?? Wow! I’m surprise I’ve done as well as I have!
I cannot return this light. It’s too late. I have an extremely tight budget, but I’ve GOT to get this right. So I’ll check and see the $$$ range. Thank you for your help!!
Adding some better pics of my current grow. This is 3 Banana Cush Autos. I’m thinking maybe another week til harvest time??
1 Like
I hate to burst your bubble but those probably have a month or more to go. All those hairs should darken and I think you will still see them bulk up a LOT.
Insufficient light will still produce something. My first grow looked pretty good right up to harvest then declined quickly. The lighting issue showed up as light “airy” buds. Pretty to look at but nothing like what I am growing now with more light and lots of help from here.
1 Like
OMG! Another month, huh? Wow. I have a Lot to learn on here. Hmmmm……family coming Thanksgiving for about 10 days. This should be interesting!! Time to put another lock on the door to my grow room! 
2 Likes
If you look at my topic… is my light enough? I started with that bestva 1200w and was told it wasnt enough watts for even one plant, so i purchased another one exact light, still was told they are no good due to low watts and burple light im on low budget so had to go with 1000w HPS/MH hood i couldn’t afford enough led watts they seem to be a dollar a watt.
1 Like
You’re saying ALL the hairs need to darken? Ok, now I’m really confused. I thought just like 80% should darken before harvesting. 
So, these autos are going to take over 4 months? Yikes!! 
1 Like
The hairs are just one indicator. The trichs are what matters. There is a window of a few weeks, earlier gets you the “speedy” head high, later gets more body buzz, then couch lock. In the middle somewhere is your preference. The max THC varies 10-15% during that window. Looking at magnified trichomes, mostly cloudy heads with some amber is the last 5% of peak THC potency. I believe @oldmarine posted a great video. I will try to find it.
4 Likes
This is worth the 10 minutes to watch. 
4 Likes
Everything you need to know in 10 minutes of video.
3 Likes
Thank you again! I’d REALLY like to watch this, but for some reason, I cannot get it to play. 
Are you saying you think my plants will be ready in 2 weeks??? 
1 Like
It pops up as “age restricted” and you have to click the “watch on YouTube” link. If it still won’t play, you may have some kind of parental control turned on or set too strict.
2 Likes
I’m sorry. No. That’s the usual answer though. Watch the video. Start checking trichomes in the 7th week of flower. Good luck…
2 Likes
They are 11 weeks old. 
1 Like
How long have they been in flower?
1 Like
I’d say this is probably week 7 that they’ve been in flower. I’m so sorry to be so ignorant. I thought I was getting the hang of it, but apparently not. I’m surprised, being autos, that they still have a month or so to go. I’m guessing that’s because of my very insufficient lighting.
1 Like
You’ve got a week or so.
You’ve got a week or so.
2 Likes
That’s what I was thinking, but someone above said at least a month!?!
2 Likes
That was my opinion based on the pics above. Hard to see under the grow lights but it looks like a lot of immature pistils. The first pic especially looks like it has a lot of growing to do. I am no expert and have killed nearly as many as I have harvested. It really is grower’s choice on when to chop. I have had them go 10 weeks and I have had them go over 100 days.
3 Likes
The thing with autos is you really cannot say what their exact time period is. I have had some veg for 3 weeks and others go for 5 weeks. Same with flowering some are faster then others. Maybe 8 weeks maybe 12 if that is what the plant needs. Let’s not forget the plant will tell you when it’s done. Going by the pics above the hairs have yet to recede into the bud and the bud should swell up a bit. If in a week it looks totally different then you go from there. Don’t rush it because patience pays off with better end results. Do you have a scope or loupe to check the trics with? They will be your final indicator when to harvest.
3 Likes