[monkeybudz]

I recently joined and am on my third grow. My first two attempts were miserable failures, but these seem to be growing pretty fast. I'm just concerned because they're not very bushy at all.

My plants were started from seed about 2 weeks ago. There are 11 of them. They're in 12 oz plasitc cups. I have a 150 w HPS and am ventilating with a 16" fan. I'm wondering if they're too "leggy" because they're 6-9" tall and just working on their 3rd or 4th set of leaves. the leaves only take up the top 1-2" of the plant. I was wondering if it could be the strain (they're from bagseed - lots of different bags from different places) or if it's something I'm doing wrong or if it's just normal and I'm paranoid of losing my plants and worried about stuff I shouldn't.

Anyway, thanks for any help/advice you can give.

[omega7]

First off welcome to the community, make yourself at home.

As far as the stretching you might have a sativa dominant plant there. It most likely is genetic so they are going to stretch no matter what you do.

The other thing it could be is heat. If the temps are running too high it will cause the plants to stretch. What are your temps with the lights on/off?

you may need more light mate , 150 watts is not a lot for 11 plants , dont have the light too far from the plants either , close as you can without burning , keep a nice spread around the plants ...

[monkeybudz]

My temps stay at about 75-78. I have the light on 24/0. It's hanging about 9" above the plants, and my hand doesn't get hot at the level of the plants.

Since I'im not sure about strains, I can't say that they're not Sativa dominant, but their leaves are about half as wide as they are long which makes me think they might be Indica. I guess I'll just have to wait it out.

As for lights, I'm planning on adding some fluoros soon, but till then the 150 w is all I have. :( Hopefully adding in the fluoros will help.

Thanks for the advice.

[deZerTomB]

get shoplights 4 ft long cool white bulbs. 150w hps will do about 2 plants most.

you can fim or top the tops. that'll slow down the tallest ones, you still gotta sex'em, so you'll lose some males and fim'ing will help show sex.

[monkeybudz]

Is it really OK to fim or top them this early? I'm not sure how long you're supposed to wait.

For an update:
They're 8-12" tall now and most are working on their 4th set of leaves. One has started sprouting what looks like leaves where the second set meets the stem. They're a gorgeous dark green color and seem to be happy. I'm repotting them today into 1/2-1 gal containers. Haven't managed the fluoros yet, but I'm still planning on getting them. Can't wait till I get alternating nodes and can start flowering. If they keep growing this fast, i don't know that I'll have space for them if they're gonna double in size when I flower.

Thanks again for all the help yall!

if you are growing in soil (and since this is the soil board) those 12oz cups are way too small (same size as a pop can)

odds are they are rootbound to hell by now

...I use 32oz cups to germ and early seedlings, but by day 21 they get moved into much larger containers

[cassini_1]

I agree with most of the others here: 1) Probably not enough light intensity, and 2) Light may be too far from the plants - they will stretch upward to it.

[monkeybudz]

I have added 240W of fluorescents and repotted the plants into 6"cube pots. They seem to like the new lights and their new homes. Hopefully they'll continue to grow happily.

[EcoNepenthe]

I made a nice setup using the same hardware.
Note the capabilities. I use Foxfarm soil and guano on my grows.

Hope this helps.

Later,
Eco


Watch em grow!!!