Too Much Power?

[dwyndorf]

Hello,

 

I've got a 400W sont-agro, is that overkill for growing only 2 plants in my wardrobe?

[Tom]

The optimum light coverage is 50w per square foot so if your wardrobe is around 4' x 2' the 400w is spot-on, in that area you could grow one or two larger plants or up eight small plants (more if using SOG).

 

What type of ventilation system do you plan to use?

[Luke Skywalker]

It does depend on the wardrobe really, but yeah, most double door wardrobes, with avg dimensions around 50cm or more deep, with about 180cm or more height, (the more is usually the better) and a good meter or more of length to place the plants.

 

As Tom has said, 50w per square foot is generally given as a good range for lighting indoors, that's with HID lights mind. This gives you about 8 sq foot of flat growing space to play with. You can get away with less intensity, say 40 or even 30w per square foot, but if you're able to contain the heat, then go with as much light as possible.

 

Tom has also brought up an important point in that you'll need a ventilation fan for this lamp, and your climate in the area you live has to be taken into account. In summer, some areas of australia can become rather nasty vis-a-vis ambient heat and low humidity levels, so you'll have to watch that.

 

Most growers can do well with a venting fan that will pull out the entire grow spaces volume within 5 minutes, or within 1 if growing in summer. This not only keeps the temps down, it provides fresh air to the plants, which is absolutely imperative.

 

Enough from me, yeah, in answer to the simple question about growing in wardrobes, yes, certainly. Check out my signature growing links, they show what's possible in a 1800mm x 500mm x 1200mm growing room with a recirc hydro and a 400w lamp.