light question on newly transplanted clones

Howdy pals. I have 6 AK-47 clones, newly rooted, that I just put into 1 gallon soil pots a few days ago. While rooting, the clones were under a fluorescent plant tube. After I put them in dirt, I turned on the 250 watt HPS (I know MH is better to veg, but this is what I have now) and within 2 hours, they looked floppy and stressed. My water and soil are ph 6.5, closet was at 85 degrees yesterday because of the outdoor heat and the light, but very well ventilated. I put them back to the fluorescent and they cheered up almost right away. The closet cooled off as well with the big light off. I am thinking of leaving them under the flo. light for a few weeks to veg until the weather and the house cools off a bit. I guess I am wondering if this is a good idea, or if it's better just to hit them right away with the hps (it was about 5 feet away), even though it stressed them. Opinions, ideas? It's my first time, and so far, so good. Peace, ya'll.

***I''m totally b.s.ing. I don't smoke weed or do illegal stuff, ever. This is a role-playing game, right?

Heat stress.

Exhaust system?

computer fans exhausting out and computer fans bringing fresh air in. Also, I am able to leave the door cracked. I tested this set-up a few weeks before bringing the plants in, and the temp stayed right around 78-80. Now it's a million degrees outside, and that isn't helping things. Wondering if I should just run fluorescents until weather cools off again..

I really think it is an exhaust issue. That is usually the biggest problem with closet growing. I would suggest a stronger exhaust system, but if that is not possible then try rotating frozen water bottles in and out of your closet as needed to help keep temps down. I did that one summer and found that I could control grow room temps by adding and subtracting frozen water bottles. It may not be a highly scientific process, but it works and is inexpensive. Just make sure the humidity doesn't get too high or the chances of mold increase.

That's a great idea with the water bottles. I think we only have a couple more weeks left of this evil heat. I think I'll run the flo lights a couple more days and the switch it up to the 250 with water bottles.

Thanks for your help!

Throw a wet towel over those water bottles and you will do even better. More efficient that way.

Will do. I also got one of those small "personal" fans to blow on the water bottles. I figure that help circulate the cool air so it's not just cool in certain spots.

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Originally Posted by Sprite

Will do. I also got one of those small "personal" fans to blow on the water bottles. I figure that help circulate the cool air so it's not just cool in certain spots.

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Perfect. That should work just fine. Let us know how it goes Sprite. :thumbsup:

Happy Growing....

you said your 250w hps was 5ft away? I think more than anything they were light starved. I keep about 24" between plants and my 1000w air cooled hps. 5ft is way too far at that distance with that wattage hardly any lumens from your bulb make it to plant. Just my 2 cents :rasta:

Yeah, it was 5 feet away because I was afraid I'd cook 'em the first day. I absolutely plan to get it way closer. I just thought maybe I'd work up to that after a few days. They were under florescent while rooting and I didn't want them to freak out from suddenly going into dirt and having way stronger lights at the same time. I am new to this, but experience with years of growing other types of plants tells me that could happen. Just a guess though, so I do appreciate everyone's input.