Vertical first attempt

[Aerohead]

MC, thanks!

The socket on the top light is about an inch below the tallest buds. I'm wasting a ton of the side lighting on the 600, but it's hitting the entire doughnut almost like Hori lighting. I can't imagine the yield when I monocrop and use 1k for the top light without gaps on the sides.

I think I should have run the 600w lower, probably would have bumped yield up a bit, but the lighting covered the plants well anyway.

Any thoughts on how high the top light should be?

 

[Maj.Cottonmouth]

I am thinking I ran mine way to high last round and wasted a lot of light. I will be running lower this time for sure. I think the socket a little below the tops would be good but I may try even lower. Thanks for the reply.

 

[CyrilSneer]

MC, thanks!

The socket on the top light is about an inch below the tallest buds. I'm wasting a ton of the side lighting on the 600, but it's hitting the entire doughnut almost like Hori lighting. I can't imagine the yield when I monocrop and use 1k for the top light without gaps on the sides.

I think I should have run the 600w lower, probably would have bumped yield up a bit, but the lighting covered the plants well anyway.

Any thoughts on how high the top light should be?

I am thinking I ran mine way to high last round and wasted a lot of light. I will be running lower this time for sure. I think the socket a little below the tops would be good but I may try even lower. Thanks for the reply.

I'm having a difficult time with this, because it's my first vertical run, my plants are at different heights. I'm 3 1/2 weeks in with 7 plants around a 400 bottom and 1000 on top. For me (with this LSD anyway) the stretch was straight up, even the lower nugs became the middle ones if that makes sense .. kinda taking the steam away from the 400. I'm thinking of shutting it down for the remaining 4 1/2 to 5 weeks. Lack of training skills early on has robbed me of bottom hugs as well.. its just that the stems are woody now.. and not bending anywhere With the base of the upper bulb about the height of the tallest plant, I'm sure this contributed to 'outta control' vertical stretch.

I hope this makes sense.. its Friday and I have the day off so its a wake and bake session for me. I'll probably edit in a couple of hours

 

[gardenbug]

I would say your placement is about right.

Here's what I've learned on bulb placement.
I run 2 stacked bulbs.

With equal height plants...

During stretch:
Bottom bulb at bottom of plants
Top bulb socket about an inch lower than top of plants

After stretch:
Bottom bulb in middle of plants
Top bulb socket slightly higher than top of plants

With uneven plant heights I kind of just use the average height. If only one plant is really tall or something I try to train it down or just ignore it as far as light placement goes.

You want the bulb slightly higher than the plants if you want the upper buds to develop. Light hitting them from only the side leads to the dark side of that bud being undeveloped. They need the bulb at an angle where there get some downwards light from it. This wastes a little light over the tops of the plants but makes those buds develop much better, so seems to be worth it.
The middle buds are the best as they get direct side light from the lower bulb and top light from the upper bulb.

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

Good info gardenbug. I haven't grown vertical yet but thought about using a parabolic reflector. I'd just hate to spend that much money on something that might not return on the investment.

 

[CyrilSneer]

I would say your placement is about right.

Here's what I've learned on bulb placement.
I run 2 stacked bulbs.

With equal height plants...

During stretch:
Bottom bulb at bottom of plants
Top bulb socket about an inch lower than top of plants

After stretch:
Bottom bulb in middle of plants
Top bulb socket slightly higher than top of plants

With uneven plant heights I kind of just use the average height. If only one plant is really tall or something I try to train it down or just ignore it as far as light placement goes.

You want the bulb slightly higher than the plants if you want the upper buds to develop. Light hitting them from only the side leads to the dark side of that bud being undeveloped. They need the bulb at an angle where there get some downwards light from it. This wastes a little light over the tops of the plants but makes those buds develop much better, so seems to be worth it.
The middle buds are the best as they get direct side light from the lower bulb and top light from the upper bulb.

That is really good info gardenbug, I have to work with what I have this run, and good bulb placement is about the only tweaks I can make at this point. I'm not disappointed or anything really, I'm still gonna kick out a pretty decent harvest no doubt about it. Thanks a bunch .. I think I'll raise my 1000 just a tad.

Edit: I hope you don't mind me messin in your thread Aero

 

[Aerohead]

That is good info, thanks GardenBug...

 

[Scrogerman]

Wow Aero man, you've really nailed this grow to the floor bro! Depending on your yield, which looks large to me, ill be having a crack at a Vert myself asap. Luvin the pics bro, Exellent stuff man K++.

'Watch you dont break your scales now' Green with envy!

 

[Aerohead]

Scrogerman, Thanks, I'm convinced vert opens up alot of yield potential.

Gardenbug made a very good post regarding stacked lights and caused me to take a very close look at the colas in my grow. I got some chopsticks and checked out colas from top to bottom and it's impressive.

I wound up with two canopies, top colas equal to a flat grow but there is also a bonus scrog all the way down the sides.
There are colas that will dry out to more than 1/8 below the bucket lids, alot of them.. The colas in the mid canopy are by all means top colas, and the upper canopy is well, spears...

After looking at the grow very closely, I believe he was pretty accurate about light placement as it really helped the upper canopy.

This probably best applies to stacked bare bulbs surrounded by plants otherwise known as "doughnut" style..

I am going to repost a pic that I think shows what I mean about both canopies.. The CMH light really helps to see where the stacked bulbs are hitting the plants....

 

[megayields]

Amazing photo Aero with the CMH light showing exactly were lights are hitting, I also was reading gardenbug's light placement comments and now I have to go downstairs again and examine my bulbs for placement.

 

[Scrogerman]

Yeah what a Pic bro, Great stuff & thanks for the info & feedback man, thats gonna help me out. I been looking at CMH for a while now, impressive to say the least. Are you going to change anything next time?
I like the way these Verts allow for better Airflow throughout the whole cab, its a lot better than a Flat/Horizontal Scrog etc. Less static & Better for the plants too. I'd like to Add some lighting to the outside, maybe LED as they run cool, but they aint cheap, so it'll be a while before i can get a Rig like that running. Im sold on the idea, just gotta find a venue & ill be joinin the club.
Great show buddy! Ill look forward to the next installment of pics. Cheers!

 

[StealthDragon]

great lookin pic, I love the color contrast of the 2 lights...as you said you can really see where they're hitting the girls.

 

[Aerohead]

Thanks megayields and StealthDragon!!

Scrogerman, yes, I have lots of changes planned for next round. I plan to use the whole space this time and add 2 buckets so the doughnut will get larger. Going to run 1600 watts 1k over a 600w and bump the vent fan from 400cfm to 800cfm...

Strain is undecided but it's likely going to be 8 RB ladies.

 

[Corpsey]

so you will continue with putting the bigger wattage bulbs on top?

Im just curious because i was planning on doing two 600w stacked, but i still have to buy another 600w and i think i may just stick my 400w i already have in there and call it a day.

so i have to decide if i should move my 600w to the top and install the 400w under it like yours was, or throw the 400w up top over the 600w.

 

[Aerohead]

so you will continue with putting the bigger wattage bulbs on top?

Yes, I really like how it worked out with the lower wattage in the bottom canopy. My canopy developed a natural slope starting wide up high and getting closer to the lights at the bottom. I think this shape creates the most budsites exposed to direct light.

How to run the bulbs could depend on your strain choice and training plans. What size space are you going to stack those lights in? You won't be disappointed with the results of the 600w above the 400w but if you can, just stack the two 600w like you planned.

I am running 1k on top this time because I can see that it would have really helped me this run as the 600w didn't quite max the canopy out up top..

 

[gardenbug]

I'm also running a 600 and 400 stacked but would like to do stacked 1000's. If you have the room it lets you push the canopy out farther giving more surface area. The extra penetration from a 1000 would help too. Even with lots of pruning I still have spots where you can stand behind the plants and not see through to the light. If you have the space, power, ventilation, etc to handle 1000's, I would do it. The 1000 on top 600 on bottom combo should also work well.

 

[Corpsey]

It is a 5x5 tent. I am shooting for 16 plants in 5 gallon buckets(about 4gallons of mix though)
I am doing 8 of them around the bottom light, and 8 around the top that are on a shelf.
all four sides will be filled, each side having 2 plants to it.

the only reason im not going to get the other 600w yet is because of money, and with summer approaching it might be better to stick with the 400w i already have.

 

[Aerohead]

Yes, I understand, i stuck with my lights because of money too and I'm not too bummed with the end result.. Run the 400w on bottom and you will certainly have the budget for lighting upgrades after this run..

So, the ladies woke up today and the flush is in full swing, I was greeted by some purple upon opening the doors to the room. Interesting, the purple is coming from the critical mass...lol. The GDP is still green as can be and the RB's are turning deep lavender blue as expected. I'm sure it's not temp related because it's 7F max swing from lights on/off. Anyway, I'll get more pics up soon but I don't feel like fighting the camera tonight. I need to get the shots lights off so it will be another day or so because I have to go to work before lights off tomorrow am..

 

[Aerohead]

Here are some more canopy pics at day 66

 

[Aerohead]

Here are a few close pics of the lower canopy, first is the RB followed by the CM :



The CM lower canopy: