Plant Stretching

[jakal369]

It's been about a week and I have two plants growing around 4" but I had to brace them up against a small wooden pole. My question is how well do plants recover from stretching, or is there a method to help take care of this problem after it occurs? I don't want to give up on them because I'd like to learn as much as possible from each grow. Any input would be wonderful.

jakal369 Reviewed by jakal369 on 08-10-2009. Plant Stretching It's been about a week and I have two plants growing around 4" but I had to brace them up against a small wooden pole. My question is how well do plants recover from stretching, or is there a method to help take care of this problem after it occurs? I don't want to give up on them because I'd like to learn as much as possible from each grow. Any input would be wonderful. Rating: 5

[headshake]

just because you have to use a stake or something to brace your plant up doesn't mean that it's stretch necessarily (but it probably is stretch). it could be from lack of a fan that simulates wind that will help the stems strengthen.

there is nothing you can do to fix the problem after the fact.

what type of lights are you using?


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[jakal369]

There's nothing I can do, does that mean it's a lost cause and I should start over? I'm using a 24" and an 18" fluro and I'm just about to install some MH lights as well. I figured out the whole lumens thing but it's useless to waste time talking about that. I just wanted to know if I should once again start over or what to do with these things.

[headshake]

there is no need to start over. stetch is inevitable. during flower there is what's knows as the 40/60 phenomena. basically it states that a plant in flower will spend the first 40 percent of it's time stretching and the last 60 percent filling out.

also, if you started over you wouldn't gain any experince.

a good rule of thumb for fluroescents is to keep them within 1-4" of you plants. if you do add the MH then a good measure of thumb is to put your hand under the light and you should be able to keep your hand there for 5 seconds before it gets too hot. back the light off just a tad from here.

also, if you do install the MH(s) then you mine as well use the fluros for clones.


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[jakal369]

I'm only growing two plants at a time. I'm about to completely re-build my complete growing station to be perfectly professional. I have the two plants securely supported by wooden poles right now, I'm just stressing about the stems actually supporting themselves later on. I heard I could transplant the plants and actually burry some of the elongated stem into the new soil when I do, would that be a smarter move than to sit back and let them take their current course? The more I read the more I second guess myself and can't find a comfortable schedule to stick to. The ph levels are neutral, though I accidently got slow release nutes in the soil, which if they don't burn the plants I'll flush out later and not worry about that atm. Thank you for your interest and answers to my previous questions. Most people eat new kids alive. Just rest assured I am doing all the research in my spare time I can possibly stand. haha

[headshake]

you can burry the elongated stems, but you don't want to transplant until it's necessary as it can cause stress on your plants. but when the time comes definitely do it.

in the meantime add a fan for wind simulation. this will naturally strenghten the stems. at the minimum shake your plants everyday for a few seconds. not violently, just a little. this will help too.

what do you mean by comfortable schedule? lighting? feeding?

neutral on the pH is 7.0. if you are in soil you want to aim for 6.3 to 6.8.

you're welcome for the help....and sometimes i do eat new kids alive!!!


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[jakal369]

haha I had a theory you may.

I meant a comfortable "game plan" on how to access these quirky situations my plants throw at me. I water once every day, but it's just enough for what they need that day due to all the lights and soil quickly drying out, so I know I'm not drowning them. theres a few holes on the bottom of the pots for circulation and no build up so the stem isn't soaked or moldy. I'm lighting them on a 24/0 schedule at first, but today started week 2 and I moved it to 20/4 to introduce them to the dark. Though while in week one the plants shot up and gew fast, but this week they are stuck it seems. This is as far as I've ever gotten (lol) growing a plant. Despite stretching, they appear very healthy, just a little thin right now. I have 3 fans creating a whirl wind in the room haha, there's plenty of air flow and "new", fresh air entering. I'd love for these plants to prosper, so I won't give up until they do. I'm getting new lights today, and just better overall equipment.

[headshake]

watering once a day is more than likely excessive. get a feel for the dry weight of your pot and then again after you water. do this by using your index finger and thumb on each hand and hold the rim of the pot. bounce up and down lightly. you can feel the difference. the length of time required between waterings will vary greatly depending on many different factors lights, heat, air exchange etc etc.

if they do indeed dry up daily then you might want to think about transplanting (which plays into your stretch problem!). a good way to check is to let them dry out (where the soil starts to pull back from the sides of the pot) and then place the stem between your index and middle finger. flip the plant upside down. it should slide out. it might need coaxing with a few taps on the bottom of the container. if you've got roots all over it's time to transplant.

let us know what you pick up.


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[jakal369]

Not to worry pics are on the way! I'll take some as soon as I get home and remodel my grow area. I'll also include a complete list of what's going on.

[jakal369]

These are two pics I took from my phone on the first day of week two (a few days ago now). Terrible quality I know but atleast you can get an image of how they looked before I re did the space, which hopefully won't take me very long. Oh and I took down the foil, I heard it causes hot spots, but the room is already a bright, reflective white color as it is. Anyway, take a look and more are on the way