Are my plants a bit stretched?

messycan

messycan

Well-Known Member
It's day two under 400 Watt MH lights set about 20 inches from the tops. Temp is around 75, humidity at 36%.

I started the light schedule yesterday...but waited until all the seedlings sprouted so that's what I think they are a bit stretched.

What do you guys think?






They are Greenhouse White Widow Fem's
 
desertrat

desertrat

Well-Known Member
yes, but not fatally. lower the lights - if cfl then to 3 to 4 inches away. closer when they get a little older
 
M

mario60185

Well-Known Member
Its hard to tell for me, but the one in the first pic looks a lil stretched, maybe you should bring the light a lil closer if you can.
 
messycan

messycan

Well-Known Member
ya i just moved the lights closer and its at a healthy 76 degrees. I am scared of burning my seedlings..but if it stays cool they wont burn, right? I also have an oscillating fan in there, which is making the stems stronger.
 
desertrat

desertrat

Well-Known Member
you can test the temps with your hand. if your hand is hot when you place it at the top of your plants, then the light is too close. cfl's are pretty cool so you can get them pretty close without it being too hot.
 
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THseaman

Guest
They're fine, you're freaking out over nothing. You are using a 400w MH so you don't want to lower your lights. You should actually raise them to at least 24" at this point IMO. And, you don't need a fan on such young seedlings either. It doesn't strengthen them it dehydrates them.
 
chunkymunkey33

chunkymunkey33

Well-Known Member
It looks like you have enough room to add a little soil which you can do if they stretch any further, but I think they'll be fine. Especially with the fan on them to strengthen the main stalks.
 
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THseaman

Guest
desertrat said:
you can test the temps with your hand. if your hand is hot when you place it at the top of your plants, then the light is too close. cfl's are pretty cool so you can get them pretty close without it being too hot.
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Maybe you should read what he wrote before you offer advice. He is not using CFL's he is using 400w MH.
 
worm5376

worm5376

Well-Known Member
The only thing i can see that should be done is stack a shit load of perlite with a little bit of soil mixed in . something like 65-70%perlite rest soil. No backyard shit. spend a few extra bucks and get a bag of bio or fox. then just fill those pots almost to the bottom of the begining of the leaves.. even if they wasn't stretch i would suggest that to you ;]
 
chunkymunkey33

chunkymunkey33

Well-Known Member
THseaman said:
They're fine, you're freaking out over nothing. You are using a 400w MH so you don't want to lower your lights. You should actually raise them to at least 24" at this point IMO. And, you don't need a fan on such young seedlings either. It doesn't strengthen them it dehydrates them.
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I agree that it dries the soil faster, but I definitely disagree that it doesn't make them stronger. Having "wind" blowing on them causes mild stress in the main stalk which causes the plant to increase hormone levels in the stressed areas which causes the stalk to thicken. It's obviously also beneficial for them because it keeps the canopy cool, is somewhat similar to the plants natural elements, and also circulates the oxygen and carbon dioxide around so the plant continues to get "fresh air".
 
messycan

messycan

Well-Known Member
Thanks guys. I am using Fox Farm Ocean Forest. I do plan on adding more soil later on once they start vegging.

BTW, I moved the lamp down to about 10 inches from the plants and they are at 78 degrees. I place my hand under the lights and it feels nice n warm/cool...not hot all. Some people say its OK to have them that low, some people don't. I'm confused!!
 
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mario60185

Well-Known Member
I get the same thing man. 10 differnt answers for each question I ask. As far as the lights go everyone seems to agree the more light the better, and If your not burning them your height should be ok.
 
worm5376

worm5376

Well-Known Member
messycan said:
Thanks guys. I am using Fox Farm Ocean Forest. I do plan on adding more soil later on once they start vegging.

BTW, I moved the lamp down to about 10 inches from the plants and they are at 78 degrees. I place my hand under the lights and it feels nice n warm/cool...not hot all. Some people say its OK to have them that low, some people don't. I'm confused!!
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the only reason i say to add more perlite is simple . it promotes and aids in the aeration process.. you can feed twice a day and still drain excess with no problems more oxygen and more nutrients to roots means they need less growth and is possibly the closest you can get to a hydro setup without ever converting.. True Story. read a lil or just do your own research.

:leaf:Remember people , this is a forum. Any & all info is welcomed and much appreciated so Shed your 2 feckin senses and type away:weed:
 
messycan

messycan

Well-Known Member
BTW what are the signs of the seedlings burning? Do they turn yellowish? I keep real good track of my plants..if they start showing signs I will raise up the lamps...but like I said the temps are perfect at the moment :)

+REP to everyone!
 
chunkymunkey33

chunkymunkey33

Well-Known Member
The reason you're getting different answers is because the lights should not be that close to seedlings. They are very fragile still. When the plants are more mature you can move them closer, but for now I'd raise them a little. Maybe up to about 18 inches away. They'll receive plenty of light for this stage of life.
 
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THseaman

Guest
chunkymunkey33 said:
I agree that it dries the soil faster, but I definitely disagree that it doesn't make them stronger. Having "wind" blowing on them causes mild stress in the main stalk which causes the plant to increase hormone levels in the stressed areas which causes the stalk to thicken. It's obviously also beneficial for them because it keeps the canopy cool, is somewhat similar to the plants natural elements, and also circulates the oxygen and carbon dioxide around so the plant continues to get "fresh air".
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THEY DONT HAVE STALKS THEY'RE SEEDLINGS! PLANTS UNDER A FOOT TALL DON'T NEED FANS BLOWING ON THEM! Lastly, more light is NOT better. Just like more nutes is NOT better.
 
chunkymunkey33

chunkymunkey33

Well-Known Member
Easy buddy. If they don't have stalks, then what is that thing holding up the leaves? And if he doesn't have a fan blowing, how is he going to keep his temps down? I keep a fan on my plants from the beginning til the end and I've never had a problem. As far as the light, I didn't say more light is better. If look I said raise it back up during the seedling stage.
 
chunkymunkey33

chunkymunkey33

Well-Known Member
No fights. Not on my end anyway. I'm just giving my opinion and assume he's doing the same, just a little more aggresively.
 
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