questions with cfl light for beginners

marantzamp

New Member
hi guys i have seedings that sprouted like 3 days ago and its now pretty big like 3 inches tall, but i have problems with my plants. Its growing so thin, tall and keeps leaning towards the sun. I think this happens because my plants doesnt receive enough light.So im looking forward to use cfl light. i will not be growing insde but until its big enough to pot outside i want to use cfl lights on my plants.(For next 10 days my area has cloudy weather so im really worried my plants) can you guys give me advice on what kinds of cfl lights i use, watts, how far from the plants and how many hours of cfl lights needed to be use for my plants. Thank you !
 

SunnyJim

Well-Known Member
The short answer: as many 6400k cfl bulbs as you can afford, assuming you have sufficient cooling (fans in the grow space) to keep the temperature down. Get the bulbs to within an inch or two to the top of the plants and that'll stop the stretching.

Your plants being tall and thin is symptomatic of insufficient light and the light source being too far away. They're instinctively stretching towards 'the sun' to get more light exposure.

Pics of your setup?

EDIT: Keep your lights on for 18 hours a day until they're ready to be put outside.
 

hiitsbob

Well-Known Member
If It was me I would go to lowes or Home Depot grab a 6 pack of 23w5000k cfl for 12 dollars.
get a few y splitters to go into your socket.
Keep lights 1-3 inches from leaves.
check my thread these same lights were used up to now with a few 2700k and I am 33 days since 12/12.
also if they are to stretchy bury up to just below cotyledon.
 

marantzamp

New Member
Thank you for your reply. I have 3 plants sprouted 3 days ago and its placed next to window. What do u mean by as many cfl buls i can afford? i only have 3 little plants.
 

marantzamp

New Member
thank you for your reply! so Should i get 6 pack of cfl bulb? 2 cfl bulb for each plants? What kinds of clamp should i get? theres alot of wattages on lamp like 50 watt, 150 watt, 300 watt.
 

SunnyJim

Well-Known Member
Look at the actual watt values on the bulbs, not the equivalent watt value. I would suggest at least 50 watts (actual) of CFL bulbs over each plant if you want to curb their stretching.
 

hiitsbob

Well-Known Member
I wouldn't go clamps find a cheap bathroom 2 or 4 bulb vanity light chuck splitters in and a little wire and plug. Probably do the whole thing for $25 bucks and a fan is a must
 
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