long stems please help

[comrade]

These plants are about ten days and they cant even hold themselves up. I don't understand why they are so tall. Right now I'm using four 1100 lumen cfl's and a lite mix of advanced nutrients micro grow and bloom. I run the lites 18/6 and the drip 24/7. I used these little foam blocks instead of rock-wool cubes and I'm afraid the roots are not penetrating them but just pushing the plant upwards. Please help with any advise this is my first grow, I have done a lot of research but nothing beats experience right. Well here's the pics.

[vvidowmaker]

I'm not really familiar with hydro setups so I'm not sure wether you should already be using ferts or not, but as far as using cfl's that are only giving off 1100 lumens each, I would run them 24/0 and keep them as close to the plants as possible (if you have the option I try to keep my around 6in away from my plants).

As for the foam cubes...are they styrofoam? I can't imagine that would be a good grow medium for the plant but if they're rooted it's probably too late to change it.

Hope this helps.

[comrade]

no not styrofoam, you can kinda see one of the cubes in the first pic. Thanks for the light advice, maybe the plants are just stretching because they are starved for light. I have a 400w mh/hps lamp but I dont want to cook the little ladys.

[stilalive2029]

I am having almost an identical problem...a little more input here from the pros would be truly appreciated

[Metalace]

first off if you wanna stop them from getting that tall lower the lights. There trying to get closer to the lights. Second you need a fan on them to stop the weak stems.

[drsnuggles]

Yeah, he pretty much nailed it on the head.

Get a fan on them, blowing indirectly, this will make it a strong stemmed plant.

The rule of thumb seems to be that if you can hold your hand right above your plant for a minute without your hand getting too hot, you're okay -- so just lower it a bit at a time and see how close you can get it without too much heat.

Good luck, post more when they start to look better

[NeOmega]

Oh yeah, that's definitely light stretching right there. CFLs are great for setups like yours since you can move them very close and still maintain a reasonable temperature. You should have no problems keeping them within 3 inches with good air circulation.

[comrade]

thanks to you all, you have been very helpfull. I think Iwill get some higher lumen cfls or I may just go ahead and try the 400w mh/hps lamp. With mh/hps it gets real hot in the closet, I have one vent van but it doesn't seem to help much any ideas

[CaliGrower]

Originally Posted by comrade

These plants are about ten days and they cant even hold themselves up. I don't understand why they are so tall. Right now I'm using four 1100 lumen cfl's and a lite mix of advanced nutrients micro grow and bloom. I run the lites 18/6 and the drip 24/7. I used these little foam blocks instead of rock-wool cubes and I'm afraid the roots are not penetrating them but just pushing the plant upwards. Please help with any advise this is my first grow, I have done a lot of research but nothing beats experience right. Well here's the pics.

They're too far from the light - bring it much closer.

[Extracurricular]

get those CFL's within like 2 inches of the plants. and put reflectors up. soon.

[thatkillatwitch]

Originally Posted by comrade

These plants are about ten days and they cant even hold themselves up. I don't understand why they are so tall. Right now I'm using four 1100 lumen cfl's and a lite mix of advanced nutrients micro grow and bloom. I run the lites 18/6 and the drip 24/7. I used these little foam blocks instead of rock-wool cubes and I'm afraid the roots are not penetrating them but just pushing the plant upwards. Please help with any advise this is my first grow, I have done a lot of research but nothing beats experience right. Well here's the pics.

i had the same problem with mine when they started. its probably not the cubes. its more than likely the lights being too far away. get the lights as close as they can handle. usually 2 inches is a good rule of thumb with cfls. and a fan blowing helps alot