On Aug 15, 1:24 pm, mkr5000 wrote:
I'd like to try and see it CAN be done, but looking for advice from someone who has done it.

I have a nice 400w HPS and MH lamp and a great place to grow -- would like to try some tomatoes indoors this winter.

Specifically, what I'd really like to know are the easiest varieties for these these conditions -- something medium size, not timy tim's or any cherry tomatoes.

Any help? Thank you.

There are some very interesting comments so far but no, growing
indoors under lights is not difficult. Bit more involved than
sticking a plant in the ground and watering it. Actually much easier
when you have actually run a crop or two under the system and
understand the requirements. You have to know your plant and the
environment. In a previous post I recommended Dr H. Resh, he has
some good starter books on Hydro Toms that covers lighting. Much more
is available on the Internet. Take most w/ a grain of salt like you
would here, much is pure myth or growing Toms is often code for the
Pot Culture.

Look up the law of inverse square, 1/distance sq. It is important
for you to know and understand this. your 400 is good for an area ~
4x4ft @ a good plant height ~ 1 to 3 ft above your plant as it grows.
You need about 25w per sq ft where it will actually counts yet If the
back of your hand at plant height is hot… your too close. Move it upas
it grows. Best to try determinate vice indeterminate and have a good
support system.

Know watts, lumens & footcandles, They are the best we can equate
to plant needs for now. Pruning is good to get light to the inner
plant.

A GOOD fertilizer plan is also important, especially for an indoor
grow , You can certainly use "organoferts" ( inside joke there) but w/
some the smell is a bit much. Regardless, do think about what and how
to use a nutrient schedule. Its ignorant sense to pile up a bunch of
crap in a pot and hope all the essential elements will be available
for the plant to use when it need them.

As for dragging outside dirt inside? I never, never recommend it. If
soil is used at all find a good soil mix you can be reasonably
assured is pest free. Soilless is much better but a bit more than
most gardeners can wrap their head around or want to.

Ensure you have ventilation to dump waste heat and a fan to
strengthen the plant.

Of the two types you have, the HPS ( red spectrum) is the better, and
you really should use it when flowering. I've seen plants grow full
cycle just using the HPS. Watch for spindly plants w/ MH and again,
ensure you fertilize well but not excessive.

Understand the terms; day short, day neutral and day long, Go with
Day long (~ 12-16 hrs a day)light when the plants start to come up to
a good height.


Cfl for flowering plants? Can be done, just not very well with the
little toy CFLs you buy at the local WalMart store. get around 85 w
( 300 equal)… then your talking. You have the Horsepower, use it.
yet

any other ???s....ask I will get back to ya with a real answer.