Fan leaves turning vertical?

[nolanmar]

I am growing one plant, about 6 weeks old. It looks healthy, about 13 inches tall, nice bushy growth. I am growing indoors in soil. I am using two 27 watt (100 watt equiv.) 5500K CFLs for light. The leaves look good: dark green, no spots. However if the normal position of a leaf is horizontal with the broad dark surface of the leaf face up towards the sun, pairs of the larger fan leaves are rotating so that they are vertical (edge up like a knife). I do not think I have over/under watered the plant. The soil is good potting soil with worm castings, sand, vermiculite. I have recently begun feeding by adding Bio Bizz Grow to the water. Any ideas what might cause this reaction?

[KannaMan]

The only idea I have (without pics) is that the plants are leaning for light? I don't know, but a picture really is worth a 1,000 words in these situations.

[nolanmar]

Hi KannaMan and thanks for the quick reply. The two lights are about 12 inches from the top of the plant. Most of the leaves look "normal" as in flat/horizontal. It is just the two upermost, largest fan leaves that are rotating. It's almost as thought they are seeking ot avoid the light. Can they get too much light? I would not think two 27 watt CFLs would be a problem, but in the morning, the leaves have rotated back to a normal position.

[KittensOnPCP]

12 inches away is too far, your plants are stretching. 2-4 inch area is good for CFLs, and a general rule of thumb for CFLs, is 100 watts for the first plant, and 50 for each additional. So you may want to grab some more bulbs, and some Y-splitters.

[KannaMan]

Yeah, 4" is what I keep CFLs tops from my plants. 12 inches is way too far.

[nolanmar]

Hi Kittens on PCP,
Thanks for the advice. I have seen the pictures with the lights very close to the plant and read that the lights should be much closer to the plant but when I move the lights closer, the leaves droop like they are wilting and the plant looks like it hasnt been watered in a week. When I move the lights away, the plant perks up. The lights are not hot. I will try moving the lights closer again.

"I'm just a simple cave man. Your modern ways frighten and confuse me!"
Phil Hartman - Caveman Lawyer

[KittensOnPCP]

Droop shouldn't be being caused by the lights, droop is normally because of over/under watering. I'm not sure how often you're watering, but you should be letting the top inch or so of soil get dry before watering again.

[nolanmar]

Do your lights have reflectors? Mine lights are mounted with reflectors; they look like a small parabolic dish made of shiney aluminium so they are quite bright.

[KittensOnPCP]

Yes, the lights I used to use had reflectors I got with the sockets at home depot.

[nolanmar]

I moved the lights much closer and added a third light. Will add a fourth to get to 100 actual watts, Watered and fed plant which looks good. Now if I can only get rid of the gnats! I used Neem and then Ortho pesticide for fruits and veggies. Still seeing gnats, The adventure continues!
Thanks!

[KittensOnPCP]

I'm guessing fungus gnats, a great way to get rid of them, is stop watering as frequently, and pump up the air flow if you can. Gnats need moist soil to lay their eggs.

[nolanmar]

Yeah! Fungus gnats. I water roughly every 5 days. I will try cutting back for a while and continue spraying. The problem with cutting back the water is droopy leaves. I tell ya, for a "weed", they can be very finicky plants! My girlfriend laughs at me and loves to tell me of the plant she grew by "throwing some seeds in some dirt and giving it some water." My plant is 6 weeks old and 15 inches tall. It looks pretty full. Does this seem like good progress or should it be taller? I think it is Indicus (big fat leaves) which is a shorter, bushier plant (or so I'm told.)

Appreeciate your advice!

[StickyFingerzz]

my friend was growing and got gnats. their little larvae were crawling all over the soil. She sliced up a potato into wedges and submerged them halfway into the soil. All the little larvae swarmed onto the potatos suprisingly fast. She then removed the potatoes and almost all of the gnats were gone within a short amount of time. Nice little trick

[nolanmar]

Its a GIRL! I just saw female pre-flowers on my plant. (Its my first!) I'm so proud!

I will try the potato trick! It is better than the napalm I was planning to use. I don't understand how a pesticide that can take out gypsy moths cant kill a few little gnats! But the little bastards were just gargling with the stuff. I am sure they are not good for the plant but SHE seems pretty healthy and happy.

The added lights are working out well too! I appreciate everyones advice! Thanks!