Is there an energy effcient substitute comparable to the output of HID grow lights?

Question

Is there an energy effcient substitute comparable to the output of HID grow lights?

Answer 1

Use a regular 4 foot florescent light fixture, 2 or 4 bulb capacity, your choice. If 2, use one cool white and one daylight bulb, double each if fixture for 4 is used. Regular cool white bulbs give off the blue spectrum, needed for green growth in plants, and daylight gives off the red spectrum of light needed for flowering and fruiting. If you are just growing foliage type houseplants, salad greens, herbs(for just the roots or leaves) cool white bulbs are all you need. Otherwise, just mix in both. Plants will do MUCH better if kept within 6 - 12 inches of the light.