Stretching

[cool09]

I'm well into flowering on 2 plants (Haze and White Widow). Haze has stretched the most - it is 39" high, branches in the middle (stem to tip of buds) are 15", all branches have buds (minimal size). White widow is maybe 35" and not nearly as stretched but not compact, either. This is my 5th grow and I did not know that stretching was bad and none of my crops (except one: 2 Skunks) produced any stone effect. (All triches on my grows stayed clear well into flowering - over 12-13 weeks. And all were indica/sativa hybrids).

I did not have lights close enough during veg and most of flowering. I brought HPS much, much closer (~14"-16") 5 wks ago when I got info on how to cool the HPS. I'm using 2x250W HPS on 9-10 sq ft.

Buds are now growing slowly (and most about size of golf ball). Wanted to ask if I should abandon this grow? If these plants are not going to fully mature and/or produce any high due to stretching I'd like to trash the plants.

[Dutch Pimp]

Stretching in it's self does not hurt anything; if you have extra height available.

white widow can produce long, heavy single colas :thumbsup:

[cool09]

I thought stretching makes it harder for the buds to get nutrients and grow, stresses out the plant and growth (during flowering) becomes slow?

[Shovelhandle]

I thought stretching makes it harder for the buds to get nutrients and grow, stresses out the plant and growth (during flowering) becomes slow?

I don't think that makes any sense. sorry, Bub.

[Samurai Seeds]

What are you feeding them would be first question?
Where were genetics received would be second?
Weak genetics aren't going to produce as much as genetics from a reputable source. Feeding also very key

[cool09]

OK, biochemist.

"Why is stretch a problem?
Stretch is a problem primarily in indoor grows because it greatly reduces yield. The problem stems from the limitations of artificial light and the plant’s adaptations to low light. Stretch also produces tall plants with weak and spindly stems. The weight of the buds later in flower will require staking to avoid damage and falling over. Stretch may be a sudden problem for growers with limited ceiling height.
Light intensity vs internodal distance - Light intensity diminishes exponentially with distance under artificial light (the inverse squared law). Sunlight is not affected by distance and can penetrate deep into a canopy.
Marijuana requires high light levels to thrive and produce high yields. A plant is at its optimum flowering height when all it’s bud sites are bathed in intense light (ideally the entire plant is equally lit, producing dense bud from top to bottom).
Stretched plants are tall and their lower bud sites receive exponentially lower lumens than top colas. Budsites that are not receiving intense light will not produce well, and often the light and extra plant height is wasted. Tall plants require more energy to pump water to its leaves and transport photosynthate from its leaves. This extra energy could have gone into flowering. Stretched plants can yield 30-50% less."

I feed Foxfarm per Foxfarm schedule and from a reputable seed source.

[Mal420xl]

i think the "stretching" they are talking about is when the plant gets too little light and has to reach to get to it. it makes the distance between nodes very long like 8-10+ inches as opposed to maybe a couple inches here and there.

[pushit]

Obviously you have something else going on besides some stretching if you are not getting a buzz. Lower buds are hard to get right unless you grow short plants or have some side lighting set up. Stretching will not make the buds bunk. Even my lower no count buds will catch me a buzz. Members like Dutch and Shovel know what they are talking about and have been doing this for a long time. Lets see some pics of what you are talking about.

[tlranger]

Have heard many times, a little stress make you tough, or maybe stronger.

[Samurai Seeds]

Foxy base nutes? Additives? Also, what about your rhizosphere? Roots equals fruits. But just based on the lighting, usually 60 watts per square meter is recommended for good yields roughly equals about 600 per meter or 9 square ft and a 1000 watt for 4 feet squared. If not stretching can occur especially with a heavy sun loving sativa, which reduces yields. Supercropping many times can help with stretch increase yield and help with ceiling too close to light issues.

[Samurai Seeds]

Very true, if your trichs aren't milking up that could be genetic; that's why I asked about genetic source because that can happen with bammer. And feeding because starving athletes can't perform well, hence gatorade @cool09

[tlranger]

Buds are now growing slowly (and most about size of golf ball). Wanted to ask if I should abandon this grow? If these plants are not going to fully mature and/or produce any high due to stretching I'd like to trash the plants.

Could try some, if any kick, then shorter to finish than starting over.

[cool09]

usually 60 watts per square meter is recommended for good yields
Proper lighting is based on lumens not watts. (Recommended is 1000-3000 lumens per sq ft.)

Could try some, if any kick, then shorter to finish than starting over.
Not sure what this means. I don't speak the lingo.

(When I said "stretching" I also meant long internode lengths.)

As I said, for my other grows the lighting was too far away. During present grow the lighting was too far away during veg and most of flowering (Feb/March) then I learned how to get HPS closer about 5 wks ago (buds were already formed then). I've never had a grow where triches turned partly amber or milky which confuses me.

On previous grows I used lousy commercial nutrients. This grow I've used Foxfarm (plus some MicroBrew) from the start and Foxfarm potting mix added to black soil, manure, dolomite lime, perlite, sand in 3-4 gallon pots. Flower Lighting is not from the very top but slightly above the top and angled down @ 45-60 deg. (from opposite sides) due to low ceilings. (Veg. lighting was from the top and probably not enough light.) pH has been good throughout (6.3-6.7) and I've raised it once or twice with dolomite lime and flushed the plants once during stagnant growth (and yellowing of an AK plant) during flowering. Water is distilled and good ventilation. I get all feminized seeds from Attitude.

Pictured is white widow (open in new tab for better detail) w/haze in background (top fan leaves have yellowed and buds still growing). Thanks for feedback.

[tlranger]

Sorry,I sometimes think my attempts to be brief, makes things hard to understand. Then there's always my grammar. Basically meant with golf ball sized buds and 3+ months, spark a bowl before you trash it.

[cool09]

Sorry if I seemed facetious.

I have tested some and no stone. Just wanted to know if this is kind of common or not (and if I had any options). And not sure if plants/branches look normal or not.

Only stone I ever got was from 2 skunks (in a closet) after 8-9 weeks of flowering or so.

My next grow is definitely going to be all indica (skunk, NL) which I read is easier to grow.

[Mal420xl]

looks like weak light