When to flip from propagation to full veg?

[JackJayUK]

Hi everyone I am currently in a predicament with my light patterns, my babies are now 18 days old (from seed) and about 10cm tall, showing their 3rd-4th sets of leaves, I've got them under a 100w cfl but keep trying to introduce them to a 600w hps (bit of a jump I know) but I'm thinking 18 days is plenty of time, but maybe I'm wrong? I think a main problem is the drop in humidity, from around 60 to 19-20. This is my first go and I would be appreciative of people's input, can you Give me a timescale or guide to when to step up the lumens?

A step by step guide or something similar would be a huge help. Cheers JJ

 

[azez]

Throw them under the 600
Just keep the light higher than normal for a couple days
Then lower the light
Best of luck
&
Peace
Ez

 

[greekgardner]

yep,what azez said

 

[Jnugg]

I start my seeds in a moistened paper towel,once cracked and showing 1/4" taproot I place in rapid rooter plugs.Once roots show through rapid rooter plugs I transplant to 1 gallon pots/grow bags.

 

[JackJayUK]

Thanks for all your inputs. I'm leaving them under the 600w from now on, and it's as high as It can go. It's a sunmaster dual spec bulb but I'm seriously considering getting a veg bulb, thoughts on that anyone?

 

[Jnugg]

I veg under my 400w HPS,have for the last 10 years with no problems what so ever.

 

[mwz]

If you use the 600w, I would recommend putting the light as high above the plants as possible. Have it on for a day and see how they react. If good, then slowly lower the light, by a few inches per day. Gradually increase the amount you lower daily. I'd start off with the light at roof level.

With lighting, it's better to under-supply than over-supply. Under-supplying light won't burn your plants.

Best of luck!!

 

[Jnugg]

As long as the op's temps are in check his plants will take the 600w HPS all day.To be safe though he can hang the light 12-18" above the seedlings and lower an inch to two inches a day.This will help to avoid stretchy weak stemmed seedlings.

 

[JackJayUK]

Thanks for the help people, I've just been given a 600w halide veg bulb so that should be a bit kinder than the (mostly red) dual spec.

JJ

 

[Perpetual Nooch]

Woah! Unless your ballast can handle both types of bulbs, do not screw that bulb in.

Halide bulbs will not work in an HPS ballast.

You realize this, right?

 

[GMT]

hmm is that always true? I know a hps bulb is bad with a MH ballast, but I'm sure I've read a hps ballast will run a Mh. Though I must admit I wouldnt try it.

 

[Hammerhead]

yes a HPS COIL will run MH bulb. A MH ballest will not run a HPS Bulb.. A digi will run both. I dont think they make Digi that run MH or HPS only anymore. ...

 

[Perpetual Nooch]

Is that right? I stand corrected then.

 

[Hammerhead]

yes thatS old tech.. These days most coil or digi will run both HPS/MH

 

[JackJayUK]

Thanks for the input people. In relation to the MH bulb HPS ballast point, i am
Running the same system as my pal and he's been using these components together for a long time now with no probs, and mine seems fine. But I will bare that in mind until I'm 100% happy it's safe.

Thanks

 

[jm420]

I trough my little ones into the veg room at about 5 days ,I'm using a 1k in veg
The little ones in front are about 8 days from seed

 

[JackJayUK]

Wow my babies didn't look like that til about 14 days, mainly because I was aprihensive about over exposure. I've had a few pointers and they're now thriving under a 600w veg light.
Thanks for everyone's views, much appreciated

 

[mwz]

As long as the op's temps are in check his plants will take the 600w HPS all day.To be safe though he can hang the light 12-18" above the seedlings and lower an inch to two inches a day.This will help to avoid stretchy weak stemmed seedlings.

That makes sense as to why my seedling/early veg plants aren't fond of my 400w. In summer, I'm getting temps of around 30C-35C. I'd hate to see how hot it would get with my 600w.

Glad to hear your plants are thriving JJ!

 

[DreamsofTesla]

My ballast does both MH/HPS, but there's a switch to be flipped. I was warned that if I had it on the wrong setting I'd be sorry.

Good luck!
<3 Tesla

 

[mo jo]

hi guys, im currently vegging my cuttings under 600w Metal Halide bulbs, they are on for 24hours and have been on for the last 3 days.

the bulbs are sitting 4ft above the cuttings. is this safe to do so as i would normally put them under a 250w cfl for a week then under the metal halide after they got bigger but many people have said its ok to put them under the Metal Halide once they have rooted.

what i want to know is, is it ok under the metal halide at an early rooted stage and should i leave it at 24 hours or switch to 18- 6 ?

the room temp is currently 22 and humidity is at 40