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.

They will freak out worse with less light than necessary. I have been vegging mine out doors then moving them into tent with a 1000w hps beaming down onto them from 24" away. Havent lost one yet from too much light. If its too close you will notice and can move it up some. Remember lumens= yield. The more light they have the more they produce. I just put some under two 24" T5 flourecents from seed to about 4wks old moved into flower and they are doing great. Hope this helps :pimp:

Here's the thing I don't quite understand about temperature: I read everywhere that 75 degrees or so is optimal. I also read that you can put your light real close and as long as your hand doesn't burn after a minute, your plants would be fine. So my hand can withstand temperatures way higher than 75 degrees! This seems like conflicting info--can anyone clarify?

Apologies if these seem like dumb questions. I have spent lots of time doing lots of research, but some stuff just doesn't seem to add up. :eek:

I got the 250 hps way closer now, and with the frozen water bottles and the personal fan blowing over them, I am down to 76 degrees during the day. Whoohooo!

Still confused a little though. Can anyone answer my question above?:jointsmile:

Hey Sprite

"Here's the thing I don't quite understand about temperature: I read everywhere that 75 degrees or so is optimal. I also read that you can put your light real close and as long as your hand doesn't burn after a minute, your plants would be fine. So my hand can withstand temperatures way higher than 75 degrees! This seems like conflicting info--can anyone clarify?"

What they are referring to is the ambient temperature of your room, not the temp directly underneath the lamp. You should be able to withstand the heat of the lamp without burning your skin yes, and I guarantee you the heat coming off the light directly beneath the source is higher than 75 deg. Your Hygrometer, or Thermometer should be mounted just above canopy level in the shade to get a correct ambient temp. Keep a lot of air moving around the closet and get that ambient temp to stay between 72 and 81 deg with the lights on.

Good luck man and keep us posted...

Update? Hows it going with the light closer and temps down? :rasta:

Heh. I just saw this message. Going GREAT! Day 40 flower!

I never understood that either!

I've had plants burning like crazy when my nutes and "salts" were way out of hand. The bad tap water was compounding the problem. After getting ppm/EC under control the dang plants can touch the air cooled hood glass and just thrive. No signs of burning nor bleaching. Go figure.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sprite

Here's the thing I don't quite understand about temperature: I read everywhere that 75 degrees or so is optimal. I also read that you can put your light real close and as long as your hand doesn't burn after a minute, your plants would be fine. So my hand can withstand temperatures way higher than 75 degrees! This seems like conflicting info--can anyone clarify?

Apologies if these seem like dumb questions. I have spent lots of time doing lots of research, but some stuff just doesn't seem to add up. :eek:

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I have noticed freshly planted clones need to stay more moist on the surface than usual seedlings or plants. It's sort of like when you plant a seed and you can't let the surface dry out too much. In a dry hot climate the area around the plug/puck/cube media can dry out. When the soil drys so goes the roots. Dry soil will also "wick" the moisture from your clone media.

So as to not over water one may use a spray bottle around the small plant a few times per day.

During that first week I wouldn't hit them with a big light. Yeah, more light than they had in the coning dome, but not a HID lamp either. You gotta work up. IMHO that is of course.

Cheers, DO.

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Originally Posted by Sprite

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.

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