I've started my first growing session. I've have got 4 of 6 seeds to germ. I had them on a 400W MH 4 feet off the ground. they are 2.5 - 3 inches now. I've brought the light down from 4 feet to around 20 inches this morning. The reason I lowered the light is that they are starting to strech and leaning over, but not fallen. I have got some twist ties and fourmed them to keep the seedlings upright. I've had a fan that is oscillating on them the whole time on power level #1.

Am I on track? Im open to suggestions..

Ive got some pics, take a look.

Thanks in advance, Woo.

They're definitely stretching "for the light".

Have you got a small fan on them? If not I'd suggest an 80mm or 120mm PC fan at this stage to help strengthen up the stems. <<Oops clearly I didn't read your post properly!

Also you'll prob want to move the light a little closer - the general rule is, if it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your plants - so keep moving the light until it's warmish to your hand but not hot - remember you'll need to move the light once, even twice a day as they grow.

I'd consider transplanting them into taller pots and burying them a little deeper and getting a fan on them asap. If you don't transplant them I'd at least fill those containers up to the top with soil to cover some of the spindly stem.

Thanks for your reply, I had a 12" table fan that has been oscillating the entire time. I just moved the 400W MH from 4 feet off the ground to 20 inches off the ground. Im worried about transplanting too early they are only 8 days old.

Can I move the 400W MH Closer than 20 inches?? I want to get them more stocky, but I definitely dont want to burn them.

Thanks, Woo

You're prob right - transplanting this early is prob not the best idea. Just top them up with more soil and move the light closer and closer until it's warm (not hot) to your hand. 20" seems about right though.

Do you have them on 24/7 or 18/6?

This happened to my friend. it grew too high, trying to get light, but the main stalk never got enough attention to beef up. as a result it flopped over, and hes having a hard time getting it upright again

24 hours of light currently. I was thinking of switching to 18/6 next week. I checked the light temp at 20 inches with my hand and it's "warm" not hot. hopefully moving the lights down will help the steams "beef up".. time will tell.

Thanks, Woo

O MAN. dont quote me on that! it is just what happened to my friend. my light was closer and i had a fan. im thinkin that made the stalks stronger...

IM A NOOB, i dunno

just bury them as much as you can in those containers and make sure that fan is on them 24/7 - don't have your fan on the same timer as the light - you really want it on 24/7 to help thicken up the stems.

that is what helped me, i think! my stalks are thick, but my friends were weak (no fan)