Hey all, I am a fairly novice grower needing some questions answered. I am growing a single plant (what is believed to be Green Ribbon) in my closet. The plant is in a 2-gallon bucket with Fox Farms Ocean Forest soil. I am using 8 CFL daylight bulbs (1600 lumens each, 12,800 lumens total) and a homemade reflector i made two days ago, hanging approximately 2 inches from the top of the plant on a 24 hour light cycle during vedge. I have a little fan in the closet, my ceiling fan, an open window, and large openings in the closet to provide constant airflow. The only nutrients I am using right now is General Organics BioRoot once every 8 days (water every 4 days), sprayed from a spray bottle. I am mostly concerned about the height of the plant compared to its width and the size/concentration of growing leaves. The plant is exactly 2 weeks old (quite large for being so young), and it is absolutely thriving with no problems presented thus far. However, the leaves appear to be outgrowing the height of the plant and the space between internodes. They look very cramped and are growing on top of each other, nearly bending other leaves and forcing them downward. If this is not a bad thing, then I have no concerns. I am quite surprised at how its growing, because Green Ribbon tends to be about a 50/50 indica/sativa hybrid and I would not think it would grow so low and bushy. Any help? Is this "overcrowding" a legitimate issue, if at all? Also, what else do you recommend for my setup/growing methods? I greatly appreciate any help and constructive criticism offered.
Also, the plant is about 3 inches tall and 5 inches wide (from the first set of leaves that is not the discolored, first "true" set of leaves. I also fixed the alignment of the reflector since the photo of my closet was taken.
The lights you are using is what is causing it to grow short. Mix in 2700k lights and she will stretch a little more, but it's not really an issue. Also, 24 hour light schedule doesn't give the plant any rest. With a dark period you will see more stretch. For 2 weeks, she looks great.
It looks pouty and droopy from the abuse of too frequent watering and foliar feeding. The leaves of a healthy plant angle upward. Watering too frequently is by far the most common abuse done to plants. Foliar feeding is for hacks.
Don't worry that's what they look like at first, it just means your giving it enough light. remember 6500k is for short and bushy nodes=more yield. When you put it into flowering it usually almost doubles in height. Also 2 things for you. 1. fim that thing, its the perfect time or you can top but fims better. 2. with cfls (mainly what I use) you don't add up the lumens together. Ive seen many people say just because they have 10 light bulbs at 100w and 1600 lumen that they have a 1000w 16000 lumen equivalence. Not how it works, to get 16000 lumen you need a light that outputs 16000 lumens. The reason why people use cfls is because yeah there 1600 lumens but you can place them 5 inches from the plant without burning it against putting a 40,000 lumen MH 6-8ft away. The reason why you use more than one is so you can have direct light at different points of the plant. Its looking good. Watch your PH later because fox farm is known for a high PH in the grow soil. Use wood ash to organically reduce PH if it gets too high.