Advise for a first time grower (lightning)

Hey rollitup! I got a couple of questions for you, I have just started germinating 3 seeds (2x chrystal and 1x unknown) and I am a bit confused on how to light them up most effectively when they come out,with the tools i have, which are: a 400w hps bulb (without a ballast, don't know if it isnt too much for my limited grow space), a 10w desk fluorescent lamp and occasional sun on my bay window(around 9-10 hours daily if i'm lucky). Any advice on what to do lightwise? Should I invest money in buying a ballast for my wardrobe, putting some money in cfl or just put em under the sun at day and under fluorescent at night?

thanks

I like to sprout in red party cups with some loose soil. CFL's are great for the seedling/little sprout stage, just keep the bulbs as close as you can without burning - maybe 2 inches. Once they get older, either a crapload of CFL's, or time to get a ballast and reflector for your bulb. Sun is always great - free and natural, but unless you get direct sun, you won't see the best growth.

I would stick with just one type of lighting, by this I mean indoor or outdoor. I used my 400 watt mh from the start when they were like an inch but I kept it far away from the plants. I had it at least 6 feet to the side and 6 feet up in the air away from them while they are tiny. They will do fine with this non direct lighting. As they get bigger just start moving them very graduall towards the light day by day and they will flourish. Stressed looking? back them off a bit. Hope this helped

~ BCbuddy

Thanks for the fast response I was thinking of getting them on sunlight whenever it is available, cause i have a huge almost 180 window with direct sunlight (as much as there is in the uk summer). What do you think guys? Will this be good or bad for my plants ?

luckystrike1 said:

Thanks for the fast response I was thinking of getting them on sunlight whenever it is available, cause i have a huge almost 180 window with direct sunlight (as much as there is in the uk summer). What do you think guys? Will this be good or bad for my plants ?

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the constant change of lightning - from sunlight to luminiscent, is it bad ?

luckystrike1 said:

the constant change of lightning - from sunlight to luminiscent, is it bad ?

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yeah I toldddd you . Consistency is key.

thanks one of the buggers is 2 days older than the rest, already out and looking GREAT! been non-stop on luminescent, but it is getting quite hot, i'm scared it will blow up over the plants or smth

luckystrike1 said:

thanks one of the buggers is 2 days older than the rest, already out and looking GREAT! been non-stop on luminescent, but it is getting quite hot, i'm scared it will blow up over the plants or smth

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Nope, it shouldn't blow up. Keep heat down with fans