How far to keep lights off plant?

[warmboe]

I was wondering how far from the top are you supposed to keep a 400w hps light? Since the transfer to a diff area they have been not doing to well. thinking maybe the light is to far away? Its probly more than 2 feet above. I know that one is super droopy today so I gave it about 8oz of water to tide it over. I am trying to save watering till the nutes get here. (expecting any day now) the plants are already flowering and never had nutes added. They have been telling me lately that they want some food, so I want the plants dry and thirsty when they get here, and I'll give it to em right away. Sorry to wander from the subject. anyway bout the light? anyone?

 

[FallenHero]

12 inches away, 2 feet and your loosing too many lumens... 12 inches is usually good some go to 14-16, just make sure the heat isnt too much, if you cant get it to 14 inches i would cool it somehow because it needs to be closer, mine is 6inches from my tallest plant and 12 inches from my shortest. i have a fan blowing hard right on the hood.

 

[splifman]

russ0r, do you have a coolable reflector hood or just the fan blowing at it?

 

[KronToker]

yeah definately put you rlights closer, but also i wouldnt use any nutes now that you are flowering, it can effect a lot of things like the taste of your bud, and how it burns, i recomend no nutes during flowering but if you have too, only use organics

 

[warmboe]

I will be using high phosphorus organic foxfarm ferts. and i plan on flushing two weeks prior to harvest for the 'smooth' effect. thanx everyone for the advice. I will adjust the light and hopefully my girls will perk up.

 

[blackout]

12 inches away, 2 feet and your loosing too many lumens... 12 inches is usually good some go to 14-16, just make sure the heat isnt too much, if you cant get it to 14 inches i would cool it somehow because it needs to be closer, mine is 6inches from my tallest plant and 12 inches from my shortest. i have a fan blowing hard right on the hood.

same as russOr about six inches,but i have air con room and three big fans,blowing like fuck,also now have a co.2 gen,but it was trial and error until i got the aircon,to hot for hand ,to hot for plant was what i found,also off one of these guys on this site no doubt as it is a wealth of info

 

[FallenHero]

russ0r, do you have a coolable reflector hood or just the fan blowing at it?

i have a fan blowing directly on/into the hood.

 

[warmboe]

Keeping the plants where I was not, didn't work! They are back with me, the hood has been adjusted, and everyday they are here they look better and better. Thanks for the advice everyone. It was just what they wanted.

 

[babygro]

but also i wouldnt use any nutes now that you are flowering, it can effect a lot of things like the taste of your bud, and how it burns, i recomend no nutes during flowering but if you have too, only use organics

It's fine to use nutrients in flowering, in fact that's the very time they need and use them the most. You just need to remember to flush with clean water for the last 7-10 days of flowering before harvest, to flush all the nutrients and salt build ups from the soil.

 

[bambi]

How can you not feed them during flowering?
Surely your yield must suffer teribly...
If you feed organics you can feed right up to harvest, other wise I would stop and only feed ph adjusted water for the last 2 weeks.
Also when feeding, dont feed every single water unless they are showing signs of nute deffciency, alternate with fresh water, this also helps stop a salt buildup in your growing medium.

 

[warmboe]

It's fine to use nutrients in flowering, in fact that's the very time they need and use them the most.

Thats more what I heard many times before.
Thanks again for responding!

 

[babygro]

Thats more what I heard many times before.
Thanks again for responding!

No problems warmboe, good luck with your grow.

Regarding light positioning, put your hand on top of the plants, lower the light down till it's too uncomfortable for you to keep your hand there and raise it an inch or so, if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for the plants.

 

[volcomrider157]

how hot is too hot as far as temp goes, i read that the optimal temp for growing is 78*F but plants can survive in temps all the way from 50*F all the way up to 104*F. i cant control the heat in my room very well even with this ac unit blowing and fans blowing i am holding low to mid 90's lately but its been hot this past week temps are suppose to start dropping in the evening so that will help i think. but what i wanted to know was too hot for hand is what?? my thermo down by my plants reads 93.7 right now...is this too hot? can i lower my light?