Lighting question

I have been reading up on lighting systems, and everyone seems to say that I need a flourescent light with a blue spec for growing and a HPS with more red spec for flowering.

Will a flourescent light allow the plant to flower at all, assuming I change the light cycle to under 12 hours, or do I actually NEED a HPS as well? (I can't really afford both unless it's absolutely necessary)

 

Metal Halide lights put out a blue spectrum
High Pressure Sodiums put out a red one.

You don't need to you both, but in veg the MH keeps the plant shorter and bushier and in early flower helps to stop stretch. In flower the HPS increases yeild. I would get an HPS system, then buy a MH conversion bulb for veg, although that last part isnt really necessary, but it would help. How big of a light are you gonna get?

 

You can flower under flos but if you can only have 1 light make it a hps (best per $$).

 

lune, blue light>MH>spring sunlight= taller sometimes (stringy, if not enough lumens)

HPS is more in the Autumn sun range, and will tend to produce shorter bushier plants. Which of course is good for indoor where most growers don't have 20' ceilings, this of course is an exageration used only for illastration.

BB's got that right!

 

"Fluorescent or metal halide lighting is best for clones and seedlings. Metal halides are recommended for vegetative growth due to their enhanced blue spectrum which encourages bushier, more compact growth. High pressure sodium lights are better suited for flowering, but either can be used for the entire cycle with favorable results."

http://www.growfaq.net/index.php?action=artikel&cat=24&id=100&artlang=en

That's pretty much what I was tryin' to say.

Happy growin,

Lune