I am so stuck...I need advice on the age old question

[Mike Seed]

My Space is: 4 x 4 x 6

My Light is: 1000w MH phantom digital, and a Hortilux HPS for flowering.

My Strain: Indica dominant hybrid (Hair of the Dawg)

My problem: How many plants do i go with?

I have (25) 2 gallon buckets currently sitting there waiting spaced 5 across and 5 down. Do i go with more plants of a smaller stature, or fewer bigger plants? I know this is an age old argument, but i need some fresh insight and opinions from the seasoned lot of you.

If smaller plants are the direction, how long do i veg for? If bigger plants are my choice, how long should i veg them for as well? And if i go with bigger plants, what size should my containers be? 3 Gal or 5? 5 seems kind of big for that short 6ft ceiling.

I really appreciate any advice.

 

[DeoXy]

the general rule I follow is 1ft per plant atleast... so a 4x4 space I would do 16 at max... which your 1000watt M/H and HPS would cover well .. indica's tend to stay short and bushy.. so It should work out.

 

[High Country]

If you did single cola SOG style you could do 4 plants per sq/ft.

 

[Skunklover]

Like these guys said, depends on the type of grow you are doing. If you are vegging for a very short period you can go with more plants per square foot and SCROG. Personally I go with the 1 plant per square foot rule, and with a 4x4 that is perfect, 16 plants. If I were you I would get bigger buckets/bags though, preferably 3-5 gallon.

BTW, 6 feet isn't much headroom, don't veg too long, especially if you are using CO2 in the flowering stage.

 

[praisehim.]

veg 2 weeks = flower 16 plants.
veg 30 days = flower 8 plants. < and as far as height goes.. lst and crop them girls into bushes. or you'll hit your 6ft ceiling : )

 

[ijimunot]

I would consider three feet tops for my plants. Losing two feet on top for light and spacing. And one foot on the bottom for pot height. 16 plants vegged at 12" and a screen at 24" is what I would try. But the second best part of growing to me is the learning I get from hands on. Go with your gut and adjust on the next grow. Good luck

 

[simon]

I'd run 16 LST'd plants.

Simon

 

[Mike Seed]

Thanks eveyone. 16 was my initial idea, but then i saw that i could put 25 and started to get greedy.

I am not comfortable with SOG because i have never done a SOG before, and I am looking at staying in my comfort zone while i get my feet wet again for the first time since the early 90's.

I will search the forums for some SCROG tutorial's, and see what it is i need to do for that type of work.

Thankfully i also have 3 gallon bags which i can use, though it makes my 2 gallon buckets a waste of money.

I will be going with BlazeBags (Blazeoneup soil mixture), since those seem the easiest trouble free setup to go with without using a full automated hydro setup. My thought was originally to go with Hempy's which is why i got the buckets, but then I just started to not look forward to mixing nutrients to hand water 16 plants every day, am i lazy? I also felt it risky to have to play with nute's every day and increase my chances of making an error and hurting a couple of the girls by over nute'ing by accident.

Also, I am not using Co2 this run. The space is not exactly sealed but it is next to my hot water boiler and furnace, so it does get whatever Co2 is put off from that thing as well as cool air when i run A/C which keeps the temps easily in the 70's and i have a box fan blowing on the reflector keeping it cool enough to rest my hand on the hood permanently. Co2 will be for bigger grow project.

Thanks for the advice people.

 

[Kalicokitty]

Your space, me, I'd put 12 in there, give everyone a little room to breathe and get some light.

 

[High Country]

Hand watering daily isn't to bad. You get to check the health of your plants every day and can get on top of any issues before they become a major problem.

 

[DeoXy]

Yea same thought here High Country.. I only run the reservoir when I'm away for a few days.. considering It's 2 different strains in my tent hooked up to the same drip system.. some of their watering needs change.

 

[Spl1fftast1ck]

Simon and Praisehim, read my mind, only difference is I would do 4 trays of 4 plants spaced 2 weeks apart, but I guess it depends on what your goal is. (I am also assuming that you have a steady supply of similar/consistent clones)

One more thought, not all Indica grow well in s.o.g. research your strain and styles used by previous growers that had a similar goal to yours. "Hair of the Dawg" huh...happen to know the breeder?

 

[Mike Seed]

Simon and Praisehim, read my mind, only difference is I would do 4 trays of 4 plants spaced 2 weeks apart, but I guess it depends on what your goal is. (I am also assuming that you have a steady supply of similar/consistent clones)

One more thought, not all Indica grow well in s.o.g. research your strain and styles used by previous growers that had a similar goal to yours. "Hair of the Dawg" huh...happen to know the breeder?

Hair of the Dawg is from California Seed Co. and is a cross between AoTa X Dirty Dawg. I have some more coming that cost twice as much and will let you guys know what that strain is as well.

I am not working from clones at all as i do not have the space and privacy for an extra work space for them. Everything is straight from seed.

What would be the purpose of spacing the plants 2 weeks apart? Thanks for the advice!