I will try to give a take on how I look at it, and kick this discussion off @Kegger . Again this is kind of my perspective, and not the only perspective that should be taken into consideration..
A true 600W LED can effectively cover:
In DWC, the root zone grows soo fast, so plants WILL get big quickly, so overcrowding is your #1 risk.
Option 1: SOG
6–9 plants in a 3×3
9–12 plants in a 4×4
If you go SOG in DWC, use individual buckets for sure, not one shared reservoir! Roots WILL tangle
Option 2: Low Plant Count + Training
2–4 plants in a 3×3
4 plants max in a 4×4
LST (low stress training)
Topping
SCROG (screen of green)
This is what most experienced DWC growers prefer.
Option 3: Hybrid
4–6 plants
Short veg (2–3 weeks)
Light training (top once, minor LST)
This balances speed, and yield without overcrowding roots.
Note: Fewer plants + better canopy control = bigger yields than more plants crammed together
A true 600W LED can effectively cover:
~3×3 ft (dense, high yield)
~4×4 ft (moderate density)
~4×4 ft (moderate density)
In DWC, the root zone grows soo fast, so plants WILL get big quickly, so overcrowding is your #1 risk.
Option 1: SOG
6–9 plants in a 3×3
9–12 plants in a 4×4
If you go SOG in DWC, use individual buckets for sure, not one shared reservoir! Roots WILL tangle
Option 2: Low Plant Count + Training
2–4 plants in a 3×3
4 plants max in a 4×4
LST (low stress training)
Topping
SCROG (screen of green)
This is what most experienced DWC growers prefer.
Option 3: Hybrid
4–6 plants
Short veg (2–3 weeks)
Light training (top once, minor LST)
This balances speed, and yield without overcrowding roots.
Note: Fewer plants + better canopy control = bigger yields than more plants crammed together
I agree with @Deebs 600w (true watts) you are either in a 3x3 or 3x4 in my opinion. in my 3x4, I had 4 plants in RDWC.
