Snowgirl82
Member
How do I know if my plants are stretching? I planted them and 2 days later they sprouted. The very next day they were higher.
Stretching
- Thread starter Snowgirl82
- Start date
Arnski5000
Well-Known Member
If they look like they getting too long then they're stretching. Easy fix if they do. Add more medium or if they start falling over construct a brace for them to lean on I use kebab skewers in corners of pot and tie string around
Roofledorf
Active Member
Stretching is when your plant has long sections between nodes because it is reaching for light. Your plant being newly sprouted is probably just growing.
Snowgirl82
Member
I replanted them and also lowered my light closer to them and they are still growing rapidly fast. They are auto flowers and kept the lights on the whole time since planted. Is there anything else I can do so I don't lose them?
ColoradoHighGrower
Well-Known Member
If your seedlings get taller than about 3inches in the first few days and flop over, then they are looking for more light still. You can always prop them up or add soil, like above replies state. No problem with doing those things, but still need to gradually increase light intensity. What light are you using? How high is the light above top of plant?
Snowgirl82
Member
I'm using a Mars Hydro ts3000 led in a 4x4 tent. But every time we turn the lights up the heat goes up and won't stay stable. I lower the light to about 12 inches above them.
ColoradoHighGrower
Well-Known Member
I use 4 or 6 2ft t5 lights (24w grow types) and put them about 6 inches above the seedlings, and still get the initial seedling stretch (most do). I then prop, maintain and eventually put them under my CMH lighting at ~32 inch height when the seedlings get to about two weeks or three weeks old and are actually growing. Ive left them under t5s for weeks though too, and the veg pretty well still.
ColoradoHighGrower
Well-Known Member
Not familiar with this light, but that might be too close- what height was your light before lowering to 12?
Snowgirl82
Member
Ok so should I move the light to about 6 inches away?
Snowgirl82
Member
It was at 24inches
farmingfisherman
Well-Known Member
If heat is a problem then it needs to be vented out of the tent and if possible out of the room that the tent is in. Also its not a bad idea to get some sort of light air movement to the plants to help them begin to harden up, like the light be gentle at first with the air. The stocks/stems will get stronger through microtearing in the stocks from air movement. Is the light dimmable?
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
No. T5's are totally different than LED. I keep my T5's like 2" away when I use them. Keep your LED's higher. How about a pic?
Snowgirl82
Member
I have a 4inch inline carbon filter and an isolating fan. With the tent vents up. The lights are dimmable and with them up it gets into the 90s in the tent. What should the highest temp be at this stage? Is 12 inches of light away from the plant good?
Snowgirl82
Member
One is before replanting the other is after
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PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
Heat can cause stretching too.
Snowgirl82
Member
Should I maybe turn the light off for a few hours?
PadawanWarrior
Well-Known Member
What are the temps?
farmingfisherman
Well-Known Member
I have no experience with autos so there is that. I did look at the light you listed and I would raise it to at least 30 inches if not higher. You plants are pretty delicate and should be treat as such. If you can dim the light then it might be possible to lower the light but it generally easier to raise and lower as needed.
farmingfisherman
Well-Known Member
She said in the 90's before in her thread.
Snowgirl82
Member
They stay between 71°-75°. I'm just worried with the lights off it will drop lower