Greetings all ...I have a small area in a closet I would like to box off .That area would be 22 inches wide X 24 inches deep and 52 inches tall . I would like to cover all the interior in Mylar . I am thinking of planting 4 plants in 4 square buckets that hold 4 gallons of dirt each .
My question is this ...would 3 - 23 watt CFL's be enough light for this area ?
In addition this would be my 1st grow so I am not prepared to do a bonsai plant yet ...But is this my best approach of maxmizing that small of area and is that the most plants I should hope for in that small of area ?
Thanks in advance ! ....Shaddow

My first grow was in a small space like yours. I have it shown in my sig link. Small spaces can be hard to work with as far as temp and humidity control but with proper air circulation, it should not be a problem. Maybe my grow can help give you ideas? I'm using 3 42W warm white bulbs. They have worked fine and they are doing well in my new dresser cab too. My setup was well under $125 The bulbs I found at Home Depot were $13.99 each. But I didn't shop around much before I got them lol I have seen alot of peeps post cheaper prices so look around. Good luck!!

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Our first grow
http://www.greenpassion.org/f22/lesb...-closet-13859/

Welcome

Let me blab on if I may....

Heat may be an issue...I don't grow with CFL so I can't really address those...
but with any light you will certainly need to exchange the air in the space to bring in a bit of fresh cO2 and keep things in the proper temp zone (60-80F)

What I see that doesn't make sense to me are the 4 gallon containers of dirt. For the size area you speak of, I would be looking at 2 gallon max for containers and even then that's a lotta root growth and (possible) plant growth up top for that small of a space.

As far as the 56" height....only 2 or 3 ft or so of that will...or should be used in a low light system. In other words, you can't grow trees with a small light...and if you DO let your plants get big...you'll have some spindly/stretched out plants that will offer you LITTLE in the way of smoke and A LOT in the way of stem trash.

Keep it short. 4 plants that are 1 ft wide x 1 ft wide x 1ft to 1.5 ft tall AT FINISH will FILL the space and offer you a decent yield if you give them enough light. This means you will probably be ramming your plants through your system with little to no veg time or they will simply outgrow your space and play Hell with you 24/7.

let's see some pics and I'm sure others can give you a bit more to go on....

good luck

ww

Keep them small to start and the space will work out for you. As others have said air exchange and ventilation is key. There are a number of CFL's that are slightly bigger wattage's and you could consider those Y adapters to get double the bulbs in there.

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Sooo... how many watts would be more ideal ,and yes I do understand I will need to keep plenty of air circulation in there also. Am I asking for to much with hoping for 4 plants should I go with less ? The goal of course is largest bud yield ? best quality . Not wanting to rush the end results .

@WW...The CFL's produce 300 watts Total... 3 @ 2700 K and 3 @ 6500 K ( Two different set of bulbs )
Thanks ! Shaddow

bump .... I relize the cfl's are not everyones 1st choice of lights but if that was your option,what would you use ? Thanks ,Shaddow

look in the CFL section of GP to find out more information.

check out the DIY rubbermaid growbox tutorial...that has a small space that uses CFLs as well. might give you some pointers on gettin more lights and ventilation into the system.

i only use CFLs in said growbox and as a supplimental side lighting to my first 400wMH and now a 400wHPS but in flowering i will use the CFLs for side lighting assuming i can control ventelation/heat issues.

goodluck.

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First Grow: Bag Seed
http://www.greenpassion.org/f15/buying-vs-trying-13054/

"Such holidays in the sun don't come without sacrifices"

Thanks , siriguejo .