yeah I put my lights about 2 inches the first week then 4 inches later on. So you really dont want that to stretch anymore cause when the stem starts to harden a stiff breeze could snap it.

the first one I did was stretched like that and I had to stake it up for about 2 weeks untill I wass sure it wouldn't fall over and I buried it aout 1/2 in from the first set of leaves cause I was still scared it would end up falling over.

But good luck with it...hope it turns out alright.