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floatingnoodles
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Registered: 06/18/13
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Kratom +other plants grow light questions?
#18803114 - 09/05/13 12:09 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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I had made a grow light thread a while back and ended up deciding that I would count on window light. Well, I moved to my new residence and the window light is awful. Unfortunately I can't take them outside because it would be too cold.
In the past I had asked about a grow light, but I stupidly posted an amazon link which was bound to be taken down.
I am asking once again, but I will simply describe the specs. I am looking for a light that will most importantly aid the growth of my Kratom, but if it helps the growth of my bridgesii cacti, mint, or calea plants that's an added bonus. I think the bridgesii cacti, mint, and calea z plants will be fine sitting in the limited light of the window, but I don't expect them to grow much at all.
I am hoping to help the kratom grow by purchasing either: 1) Hydrofarm flt22 two tube t5 fluorescent light system http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71Kw3rvAbCL._SL1500_.jpg
specs: Lumen output rated up to 4000 Powder coated steel housing UL listed ballast with 5 year warranty Hangs 3 ways - overhead, vertical, or horizontal Includes fluorescent 6400K, T5 tubes Product Dimensions: 26 x 5 x 9 inches ; 7 pounds
cost: 74$
2)Hydrofarm FLCDG125D 125-Watt Compact Fluorescent Grow Light System with Dew Guard http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71tWtmwJsSL._SL1500_.jpg specs:
Fluorowing system Full daylight spectrum incandescent grow bulbs Compact reflector Includes RFDG dew guard Includes cord set with 15-Inch power cord 120-volt, 60-hertz frequency with mogul base type Comes with hanging hardware, junction box and cord set with 15-feet power cord Comes with one year warranty Fluorowing compact fluorescent daylight system with dew guard Full daylight spectrum incandescent grow bulb Product Dimensions: 18 x 8.5 x 12 inches ; 8 pounds cost: 52$ Will either of these suffice?
I know these are both low energy consuming lights. I don't want to give the wrong impression. If there is something in a similar price range that consumes more engergy I would rather get that. My housing currently provides electricity with contract without charging by kw/h. Any suggestions are appreciated.
I am hoping with this and some organic seaweed fertilizer, I can get okay growth. I have read that kratom grows okay under most lighting, but wanted to get the most bang for my buck. Thanks.
Edited by floatingnoodles (09/05/13 12:50 PM)
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psi
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: floatingnoodles]
#18803436 - 09/05/13 01:55 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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I've never grown kratom and am not familiar with its lighting requirements, but generally speaking CFLs (especially big ones) have pretty crappy efficiency compared to tubes.
If lumens per $ spent initially is the priority then consider T8, a 2x48" fixture is $30 with the tubes in my area and puts out up to 6000 lumens depending on the tubes. Two such fixtures would be $60 and put out in the ballpark of 11-12,000 lumens while using 128 watts. You could also look at MH and HPS fixtures but you'd have to spend more than what you mentioned.
Edited by psi (09/05/13 03:02 PM)
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floatingnoodles
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: psi]
#18804075 - 09/05/13 04:38 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
psi said: I've never grown kratom and am not familiar with its lighting requirements, but generally speaking CFLs (especially big ones) have pretty crappy efficiency compared to tubes.
If lumens per $ spent initially is the priority then consider T8, a 2x48" fixture is $30 with the tubes in my area and puts out up to 6000 lumens depending on the tubes. Two such fixtures would be $60 and put out in the ballpark of 11-12,000 lumens while using 128 watts. You could also look at MH and HPS fixtures but you'd have to spend more than what you mentioned.
Thanks, I will look into getting 2x48" T8. For growth I want primarily 6400K blue light, right? In my online searches I am having trouble finding T87blue lights close to 6000 lumens.
Also, I assume when you say in your area you are shopping at Lowe's/homedepot/other hardware store? I assume the lights you are referring to are pretty standard there. I am searching, but seem to be having trouble finding primarily blue lights with that type of lumen output.
I
Edited by floatingnoodles (09/05/13 04:45 PM)
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psi
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: floatingnoodles]
#18804132 - 09/05/13 04:53 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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I was referring to the combined output from both tubes. The tubes can be up to 3000 lumens each from what I've read, the highest I've found locally are 2850 or something I think. That's at a warehouse style home reno store like what you're talking about. ~6500k daylight/cool white is what I use for cacti.
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floatingnoodles
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: psi]
#18804634 - 09/05/13 06:56 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
psi said: I was referring to the combined output from both tubes. The tubes can be up to 3000 lumens each from what I've read, the highest I've found locally are 2850 or something I think. That's at a warehouse style home reno store like what you're talking about. ~6500k daylight/cool white is what I use for cacti.
Thanks I think I will go for what you are suggesting. I am going to hold off for a day or two and hope that a kratom grower could chip in.
Also, what type of cacti? Are you growing some type of columnar cacti? I have read they don't do too well without a lot of light.
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psi
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: floatingnoodles]
#18804850 - 09/05/13 07:50 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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It's mostly peyote (grafted and on own roots) that I use the T8s for. I do have a few pedros but I just let them go dormant in the winter, they are ok to start under T8 but that's about it. If light intensity is insufficient they will be skinny. They will put on mass under HID light (I've used a 175W metal halide for this) but they won't get quite as fat as under sunlight, which IMO is not really a big deal. T5HO is another option for higher intensity than T8. Light color is also supposed to be a factor in cactus shape, they apparently get fatter under bluer light.
Here's a pic of peyote grafts under T8s from a while back, I think fall 2011:
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ferrel_human
stone eater



Registered: 06/26/09
Posts: 16,318
Loc: Texas
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: psi]
#18804981 - 09/05/13 08:29 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
psi said: It's mostly peyote (grafted and on own roots) that I use the T8s for. I do have a few pedros but I just let them go dormant in the winter, they are ok to start under T8 but that's about it. If light intensity is insufficient they will be skinny. They will put on mass under HID light (I've used a 175W metal halide for this) but they won't get quite as fat as under sunlight, which IMO is not really a big deal. T5HO is another option for higher intensity than T8. Light color is also supposed to be a factor in cactus shape, they apparently get fatter under bluer light.
Here's a pic of peyote grafts under T8s from a while back, I think fall 2011:

Psi 
Anyways light for kratom will do but if you want a tree like mine out door is the way to go. If its not doable then your way wil suffice.
One thing though. They outgrow their containor very fast. So take that into consideration.
-------------------- Nature is my church and walking through it is gospel. It tells no lies and reveals all to those who look, and listen, closely. -Karode
 Looking for Mimosa tenuiflora seeds. Buttons for trade
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floatingnoodles
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: psi]
#18806489 - 09/06/13 08:13 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
psi said: It's mostly peyote (grafted and on own roots) that I use the T8s for. I do have a few pedros but I just let them go dormant in the winter, they are ok to start under T8 but that's about it. If light intensity is insufficient they will be skinny. They will put on mass under HID light (I've used a 175W metal halide for this) but they won't get quite as fat as under sunlight, which IMO is not really a big deal. T5HO is another option for higher intensity than T8. Light color is also supposed to be a factor in cactus shape, they apparently get fatter under bluer light.
Here's a pic of peyote grafts under T8s from a while back, I think fall 2011:

Thanks. I just found a 75$ 150w hps light (16,000 lumens) that might work okay for my Kratom.
Wow that's an awesome setup for your old peyote. They look great. As much as I would love to keep growing my columnar cacti through the winter, I think I am just going to wait for them to root and then let them go dormant. I'll let them grow in the summer.
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floatingnoodles
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: ferrel_human]
#18806497 - 09/06/13 08:16 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
ferrel_human said:
Quote:
psi said: It's mostly peyote (grafted and on own roots) that I use the T8s for. I do have a few pedros but I just let them go dormant in the winter, they are ok to start under T8 but that's about it. If light intensity is insufficient they will be skinny. They will put on mass under HID light (I've used a 175W metal halide for this) but they won't get quite as fat as under sunlight, which IMO is not really a big deal. T5HO is another option for higher intensity than T8. Light color is also supposed to be a factor in cactus shape, they apparently get fatter under bluer light.
Here's a pic of peyote grafts under T8s from a while back, I think fall 2011:

Psi 
Anyways light for kratom will do but if you want a tree like mine out door is the way to go. If its not doable then your way wil suffice.
One thing though. They outgrow their containor very fast. So take that into consideration.
Thanks, it is in a half gallon container right now. I will probably transplant it after 6 months or so.
I am going to take it outdoors during the summer months, but unfortunately can't during the winter. You think a 16,000 lumen HPS bulb will allow it to grow during the winter? Will indoor growing lower the alkaloid content? Thanks.
Edited by floatingnoodles (09/06/13 08:17 AM)
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psi
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: floatingnoodles]
#18806539 - 09/06/13 08:36 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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My experience was that T. pachanoi definitely put on mass at a noticeable rate under metal halide, and I've heard about others having success with HPS. Not sure about how alkaloid production compares under lights, but I figure that growing the plant bigger will always pay off long term. You can also graft pieces of Trichocereus to Pereskiopsis, and get pretty good sized plants going from a small amount of starting material. Even a single areole is enough to do a graft.
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floatingnoodles
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: psi]
#18809975 - 09/06/13 11:30 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
psi said: My experience was that T. pachanoi definitely put on mass at a noticeable rate under metal halide, and I've heard about others having success with HPS. Not sure about how alkaloid production compares under lights, but I figure that growing the plant bigger will always pay off long term. You can also graft pieces of Trichocereus to Pereskiopsis, and get pretty good sized plants going from a small amount of starting material. Even a single areole is enough to do a graft.
Thanks. I have been wanting to start doing some grafts, but just never got around to it. I need to pick up some Pereskiopsis.
I think I am going to just purchase the 150w HPS light and hope it works okay in a few days, if I can't find an indoor Kratom grower with knowledge of Kratom's needs.
Thanks again.
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psi
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: floatingnoodles]
#18811190 - 09/07/13 11:06 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Cool, sounds like fun. Looking forward to pics when you get it going.
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floatingnoodles
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: psi]
#18813398 - 09/07/13 11:06 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
psi said: Cool, sounds like fun. Looking forward to pics when you get it going.
Yeah, I'll definitely post some pics when it gets going. Thanks again for your help.
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migraineur
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: floatingnoodles]
#18813959 - 09/08/13 03:13 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Hey yo
I keep my mother plant indoors and I keep it under a 130 watt fluorescent light. I use a 6400k one. It grows all year round inside. You can use the same light for cuttings etc. I have my mother plant growing horizontally for space requirements. To keep it under control I cut it back and make cuttings with what I've cut off.
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floatingnoodles
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: migraineur]
#18815394 - 09/08/13 02:09 PM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
migraineur said: Hey yo
I keep my mother plant indoors and I keep it under a 130 watt fluorescent light. I use a 6400k one. It grows all year round inside. You can use the same light for cuttings etc. I have my mother plant growing horizontally for space requirements. To keep it under control I cut it back and make cuttings with what I've cut off.
Thanks. I actually just ordered a 400w iPower hps setup. It's probably more than it needs to survive the winter, but it should help my other plants too. Once I start making cuttings I think I'll use the strategy you have implemented with your mother plant. Thanks for the reply.
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migraineur
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: floatingnoodles]
#18817587 - 09/09/13 01:19 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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That's going to chew up electricity! The upside is that you might be able to take advantage of the heat that the globe produces. Said heat could be a bitch to deal with in the warmer months though.
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floatingnoodles
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Re: Kratom +other plants grow light questions? [Re: migraineur]
#18818219 - 09/09/13 09:04 AM (10 years, 4 months ago) |
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Quote:
migraineur said: That's going to chew up electricity! The upside is that you might be able to take advantage of the heat that the globe produces. Said heat could be a bitch to deal with in the warmer months though.
Yeah, in the winter months I don't have to worry about electricity. It's already payed for in my housing contract. I'll post a picture when I get it set up. I have a roll of mylar that I think I am going to put on the walls around it. Hopefully it will turn out okay.
Also, Migranineur- What type of fertilizer do you use? I'm thinking of buying Neptunes organic fish and seaweed fertilizer, but would be open to anything that smells better/is better for kratom growth.
Edited by floatingnoodles (09/09/13 10:27 AM)
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