Getting some height?

**ettubrutus** · 12-24-2007, 08:37 PM

I am using 3 65W 6500K Sunlite CFLs for my 3 plants... They (according to the specs) are giving off about 4200 lumens a piece--and believe me everytime I walk into the room I need sunglasses...

What I am wondering is, should I keep them and inch or two away from the tops of the plants, or should I raise them up to get the plants to grow taller? I built a big reflector that surrounds the whole setup so the sides should be getting plenty of light, I just want to make sure I won't screw the plants up by raising the lights...

Ideas?

Thanks...

**EarthlyPassions** · 12-24-2007, 08:53 PM

What kind of plant do you have in mind? Tall and sparse, or short and condensed? If the light is further away it'll produce the former, if it is closer it'll produce the latter.

I personally think shorter and thicker is better, for conservation of space, and so the plant uses more energy making leaves and bud than stem.

**whatapothead** · 12-24-2007, 09:41 PM

i'd keep them close as possible

**ettubrutus** · 12-24-2007, 10:14 PM

Well, I only have about 3 ft to grow it anyway... Do I need to coax it to grow upwards at all, or should the lights just be really close and allow it to push upwards?

**buster7467** · 12-24-2007, 10:20 PM

Keep the lights about 2inches away from the plants and you will have to adjust them daily with growth.

**ettubrutus** · 12-24-2007, 11:52 PM

Thanks guys...

**kagenical** · 12-25-2007, 04:36 AM

You might want to raise the lights and have em stretch, and then add some side lighting... You might be able to get more light to more branches that way.