Seedling Stretching

bsteabagger · Mar 11, 2010

My 1-week old seedlings are receiving 17 hours a day of light, and are quickly stretching vertically, with little lateral leaf development. I have moved my lights close to the plants, which seems to have made a difference.

Is keeping the lights close the solution? I am afraid it will burn the leaves. I am using a 100W compact fluorescent and a small grow bulb (wattage unknown).

stumps · Mar 11, 2010

Need to be about 4" off with the 100w. mybe a little more for seedlings.

Pipe Dream · Mar 11, 2010

yes that's the solution. get the light as close as possible to the tops of the plants without burning them test the back of your hand if it doesn't get too hot your plants should be okay. Transplant them into bigger pots and bury the stem all the way in it will eventually grow roots. Also get an oscillating fan blowing on them, it will strengthen their stems.

stumps · Mar 11, 2010

this is mine with 100w cfl's

meathook666 · Mar 11, 2010

Pipe Dream said:
yes that's the solution. get the light as close as possible to the tops of the plants without burning them test the back of your hand if it doesn't get too hot your plants should be okay. Transplant them into bigger pots and bury the stem all the way in it will eventually grow roots. Also get an oscillating fan blowing on them, it will strengthen their stems.

Yep, listen to the man and bury the stem.

tyke1973 · Mar 11, 2010

Has soon has the seedling breaks the surface i put them within a ince of the flouresents.It is a good idea to have the lights above the plants cool daylight spec and have a few cfl's wall mounted just for the extra light but have these warm daylight spec this will give young clones or seedling the warth needed.But the cool flouresent tubes will anable you to have the young plants near touching the lights.But if the seedlings are leggy it is not a real bad problem just put the stem below soil when you put into next size pot if useing soil.If you are useing a hydroponic system them make sure the lights are has close has possible from now on...tyke.............

bsteabagger · Mar 11, 2010

tyke1973 said:
Has soon has the seedling breaks the surface i put them within a ince of the flouresents.It is a good idea to have the lights above the plants cool daylight spec and have a few cfl's wall mounted just for the extra light but have these warm daylight spec this will give young clones or seedling the warth needed.But the cool flouresent tubes will anable you to have the young plants near touching the lights.But if the seedlings are leggy it is not a real bad problem just put the stem below soil when you put into next size pot if useing soil.If you are useing a hydroponic system them make sure the lights are has close has possible from now on...tyke.............

Hey tyke, I appreciate your response. Upon transplanting I will bury the stems, but should I sprinkle a little rooting hormone on there as well? It can't hurt right??
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Seedling Stretching

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