Customer Q&A: Growing One Plant on a Limited Budget
Tyler from Florida asked us, “I only want to grow one flowering plant and I’m working with a limited budget. What do I do?” Growing on a budget can be a little tricky, but it can be done. There are a few factors you’ll need to consider, but getting started doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Plant Size
First, you’ll want to see how big your plant can get. This will help determine what sort of light you can use. Lights need to be hung anywhere between 12” and 30” away from your plants, so you want to choose a light best suited for your plant. Flowering plants tend to get tall and generally need more light than vegetables or spices. If your plant will stay relatively short you should go with a 450w LED, but if they get tall a 600w HID (HPS/MH) will probably be best. Closets vs. Grow Tents, and Ventilation
Next, you’ll want to consider whether you want to use a closet or a smaller grow tent (around 32x32x63”). If you choose to grow in a closet you’ll want to line the walls with reflective material. A tent will eliminate the need to tack up all of that reflective material in your closet, and it will offer much more airflow than most closets. It could even be worthwhile to invest in a tent instead of using reflective material, as those tents are usually about $100 or less. With that in mind, you’ll also want to consider a 4” fan and filter to keep your air fresh, and an oscillating fan to keep air moving. Mediums
When you’re looking to grow a single plant, a drip system, a DWC bucket, or a single grow pot (with soil) will work just fine. If you’re just starting, or if you’re on a tight budget, soil may be the better choice because with the right soil you’ll need little to no extra nutrients. For the more experienced grower, or for those with a little extra in their budget, a hydro system has the potential to grow that plant a lot faster than in soil.