How To Lower Costs Growing Indoors
Any way to help save costs with electric bills and nutrients is always a bonus, so in this article we explain all the different ways you can help lower costs each month, and continue growing your own head stash.
Using LED lights
Many growers have already made the switch to LED lights, allowing them to reduce the electricity use from 600w to 1000w whilst producing top shelf flowers. LED lights allow a grower to also have more vertical space as a reflector is not needed, with most LED manufacturers choosing to create a strip light square grid model.
Top Tip: Beware of cheap LED lights and pay attention to the PAR levels they produce and not lumens. PAR is what Cannabis plants require and will indicate the efficiency of the grow light.
Plug Dimmers
These handy little devices may not save massive amounts of electricity, however can help reduce noise levels created by noisy exhaust fans, and reduce the amount of wattage. Plug dimmers are simple and highly effective, however are not designed for grow lights and dimmers for grow lights will be offered separately by the lighting manufacturer.
Top Tip: You can seriously reduce the noise levels of your grow room using a plug dimmer, as it allows you to turn the dial and decide how much power is being used.
Work with Clones
Cannabis clones are a great way to shave a few weeks off the vegetative stage, and in some cases are able to flower after 1-2 weeks after transplanting. Compared to seeds, clones are a ready to work with plant that will quickly grow once transplanted into a larger sized pot.
Top Tip: If you are going to use clones instead of seedlings, then be extra careful where they are sourced from. The last thing any grower needs is to introduce spider mites or powdery mildew into a thriving garden.
Sea of Green Style
If the goal is to grow as much bud as possible for your personal smoke, then filling the grow space from wall to wall is the best way. Not only does planting a high volume of plants in small sized pots such as 7.5 - 10 liters save electricity and vegetative time, the Sea of Green method allows ensures all the available space has been used.
You will get the same return on yield as you would have using large sized plants that were vegetated over a much longer time frame. Not all strains will work well in a SOG environment, and it is always a good idea to find out which ones are known for their ability to grow one main central cola.
Top Tip: You do not want to use pots bigger than 10 liters and 7.5 liters will be a good size, on the basis that you are able to occupy the space with a high number of plants.
HID Lights with Dimmers
LED lights are a good investment, however many growers have been getting amazing results using the same HPS / MH combination. For those who prefer to stick with traditional HID lighting, then a great way to save electricity and reduce costs is to use a dimmable ballast. Many companies offer a ballast that can be reduced in 20% increments at a time.
Top Tip: When plants are in the seedling stage, it is not necessary to blast them with a full 600w or 1000w of intense lighting. It is only during the flowering stage that it is best to give the plants full power, as by that stage they are well-equipped to handle it.
Using Feminized Seeds
Using feminized seeds, like clones, can save a grower time and space in the long run. Feminized seeds are genetically programmed to produce only female plants. So if you were normally growing 20 regular seeds, you may find in the 2nd to 3rd week of 12/12 that at least 5 plants are male. As a result, your plant count is significantly reduced, causing a much lower final harvest amount.
Top Tip: Big yielding feminized seeds will give you a head start in your effort to grow as much bud as possible. It is a good idea to research which seeds are known for extra large yields before purchasing.
Back To Back Harvests
For most growers, the point after harvesting and waiting for plants to grow big enough to train or flower, can be a slow-winded process. It is these 4-8 weeks of vegetative time that uses the most electricity and nutrients. A great way to counter this and to allow back to back harvests all year long is to start your next lot of seedlings or clones off in advance in a separate room or tent under 18/6. The goal is to then put the seedlings from the other room directly into the main flowering room, where they are flowered immediately under 12/12, or left to grow under 18/6 for more time.
Fast Flowering Strains
One of the most practical ways to shorten the growing cycle from start to finish is using fast flowering strains. Generally, a quick flowering plant will take between 45-55 days and may even be ready for harvest even soon in some cases. There are many benefits to using fast flowering cultivars, ranging from a lower risk of mold and more harvests per year.
Top Tip: It is probably a good idea to avoid strains that take 9 weeks or more, as this will be the most expensive route you can take. The best scenario is to use clones that are ready to harvest around 50 days.
Conclusion
Hopefully combining the tips given in this article will help you increase the number of harvests each year, allowing you to work with a fast flowering variety. Dimmers for grow lights are a real lifesaver, and can really help cut the costs down during the vegetative stage. Good luck growing indoors and adapting to the upcoming times!
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Soft Secrets
