Can it be done?

[uso5590]

I am trying to build a setup on the CHEAP! Im only looking to fully flower one plant at a time. I would like to use fluorescent lights. And do it all for under 100 dollars. Would these work?? (the first lights at the top)

Discount CFL Compact Fluorescent Grow Lights for Plants from ACF Greenhouses

 

[Hightide805]

yes, you can get the same thing from a hardwear store for half the price

 

[uso5590]

really? in different color temperatures? I was just planning on buying the bulbs online... thanks!

 

[Lil Neutrino]

Yep...those hard-to-find stores like Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and so on They all carry CFL's of useful wavelengths. The 6500k's usually have the color temp listed on the box but I know that GE's don't list the 2700K on some of their bulbs. Instead they simply put them with green/yellow packaging and call them "Soft White"...if you check their website and cross the model #'s it'll show you what color temp they are.

Basically you want day light for vegging (5000-6500K) and soft white (2700-3000K) for flowering. Home Depot carries a brand called n:vision but I prefer to stick with better known names like GE and Sylvania, personal choice though.

Btw...the Target near me had some CFL's on special clearance, $3.50 for a 2 pack of 26W bulbs (GE)! I nearly jizzed in my pants when I saw the price and you can be assured I took full advantage of that price hahahaha, I probably looked like I was changing out every bulb in my house in the checkout line.

 

[uso5590]

how many of those lights would you recommend for one plant?? Thanks again for all the responses!

 

[Lil Neutrino]

I started mine on two 26W bulbs using a Y-splitter from the hardware store. Check this forum for a thread about making CFL chandeliers or something like that, there's some good pics in there and ideas. I used two 26W bulbs on each plant for the first three weeks and they did great (see journal). Once they got bigger and bushier I decided to increase the # of bulbs, we'll see how that goes. I think Boss had a very good crop using CFL's, check out his grow journal...