Chocolate Chunk - Flimsy stem...

**emmpey** · 07-11-2009, 02:26 AM

Hi All,

I was kindly gifted a chocolate chunk clone which I've since mothered and now have 18 clones.

I put them into flower (400 hps) about 5 days ago when they were 6/7" tall and they have now started to stretch.

I've noticed though that the stems are now really floppy. The plants look good, nice healthy colour and good plant structure etc. but the stems are like rubber, with the tops almost flopping over.

Is this normal for the strain or should I be doing something?

TIA.

**Fender420** · 07-11-2009, 03:10 AM

put a fan on em'. It'll simulate wind and tell the plant to start building a stronger stem. I have mine on when the lights are on at all times, their stems are solid.

**emmpey** · 07-11-2009, 03:14 AM

Thanks for the reply, yeah I have a fan on them. They were nice and rigid in veg (with no fan!). Perhaps they're just adjusting to new environment. I'll keep an eye on 'em and see what happens.

**Phelps** · 07-11-2009, 05:58 AM

Something is wrong!!!!

Plants stretch because of 3 things, not enough light, not enough water, and too much heat. Check those three things and u will be fine.

**Phelps** · 07-11-2009, 06:01 AM

For now, stake them up to support them

**Smokey95033** · 07-11-2009, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by Fender420

put a fan on em'. It'll simulate wind and tell the plant to start building a stronger stem. I have mine on when the lights are on at all times, their stems are solid.

Simulation wind is the shit. hahaha.

I don't think a fan is simulating anything. It is wind!

That shit does not sound normal man!! Plants shouldn't be "floppy". It's awesome to know that you care so much as to show us pictures. Oh wait, you didn't. Shit.

**emmpey** · 07-11-2009, 09:58 AM

would have posted a pic but no cam. All you would see is a bunch of healthy looking clones. All nice and green with big shiny leaves and no burn, curl or anything unusual. I've been growing for a while and have about six different strains under my belt ( NL, WW, S#1, BB and various bagseed grows ) and never seen this before.

Originally Posted by Phelps

Something is wrong!!!!

Plants stretch because of 3 things, not enough light, not enough water, and too much heat. Check those three things and u will be fine.

They are on day 6 of 12/12, so I expect them to stretch, in fact they are doing good - short inter-node length etc.

I'm just gonna see what happens over the next few days before I start freaking.

I don't think a fan is simulating anything. It is wind!

LOL.

**brasmith** · 07-11-2009, 10:03 AM

Plants also stretch for the first 2-3 weeks of flower. But aside from the normal flower time stretch the flimsiness of your stems is a nutirent issue. Not totally sure on which issue causes flimsey stems though. Pics would definately help though.

What is your ph?
What do you feed them?
NPK values of the food?
Temps?

We need these details....................

**emmpey** · 07-11-2009, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by brasmith

What is your ph?

run off water if 6.8. I grow in a perlite (50%), vermiculite(35%) and sand(15%) mix.

Originally Posted by brasmith

What do you feed them?

chemical ferts with trace elements, plus a bit of epsom salts now and again. I feed every four days with just water on the third feed.

Originally Posted by brasmith

NPK values of the food?

veg is 15-10-10 and bloom is typically 12.5-12.5-15. but i keep veg nutes for first week of flower, then half veg and half bloom the second week.

Originally Posted by brasmith

Temps?

75ish during day. 60 at night

**anhedonia** · 07-24-2009, 08:29 AM

Hey did your problem go away? If your intrested in a product that will give you sturdy stems try botanicare sweet. It comes in berry or citrus. I just got 4 chocolate chunk clones a couple days ago. Can you post any pics yet?