5. SHELF GROWING

It is possible to grow on shelves with fluorescent white light (number 33). The top of the plant needs to be kept 5 centimeters away from the lamp. So, the lamp or the plant needs to be adjustable in height. The main idea is to keep plants small, making them bloom very fast. In this way you can have several layers of plants above each other. Be aware to place enough lamps above the shelf, otherwise plants will grow very long and thin.

Advantages of shelf growing are:

-          Lots of plants per square meter.

-          Little warmth will be developed by fluorescents.

-          A very small (hidden) space can be used.

Disadvantages of shelf growing are:

-          Time consuming, light needs to be adjusted every day.

-          The size and quality of the buds is lesser than with HPS bulb.

Shelf gardening with fluorescents is already very popular among producers of clones. They do not have to adjust the height of the lamps because clones do not grow while producing roots. So, clone farmers can, by using shelf growing, produce lots of clones in a relatively small area (see chapter 30). Furthermore, fluorescents can be used for germination and early growing of seedlings.

Chrysanthemums growing under 4-foot fluorescent fixtures and incandescent lights suspended from metal shelving. Same can be done for growing marijuana, but do not use black plastics!