Good day everyone.

I am attempting this for the first time, and have read alot, however I am no wizard when it comes to electricity, plus I've been zapped a couple of times, so

Am I right when I think you can connect the cfls together using standard 14 AWG wire, then splice to an extension cord (preferably old appliance cord) and plug it in? (I know, sorry details details) No more than 8 lights, 2700K CFL's and not plugged into an already overloaded circuit.
and if I can do that, then how is it affected if I were to use a newer grounded extension cord to run the lights?

I understand how to wire in series and in parellel, and also know pros and cons of both, as far as bulbs burning out effecting the rest etc.
Is there any preferance between the two, and if yes, why?

Thank you in advance

I just wouldn't do the series wiring. Its too risky for the plants. One bulb goes out and they all go out and then your plant will be without light. So at the least they will probably hermie and at the most they may die.

But as far as safety, this is common practice and the appliance cord is enough to handle that many lights.

Ive paranoid out and only hooked up 4 of my eight lights. It works good and I went with parellel as advised.

Thanx