The grow guide from the seed bank I got my seeds from said it was really important not to let the plants touch each other much during veg, or they'd stretch because they'd think they were competing for light. It also said that this may increase the male to female ratio. I haven't really heard anything else regarding this on the forums, do you guys think there is any merit to this?
I haven't written a book, but speaking from experience--I've never had a problem letting my plants touch a little. You do want some space between the pots, so you are not crowding them and so light can get through to the lower branches--but a few branches rubbing on each other should not promote males
Never heard of that. How does the plant know it is being touched by a different plant and not it's own leaves and shoots.
That's what I was wondering lol. It was written by someone that's pretty well known and respected in Canada otherwise I would have written it off right away as crap hehe.
if you have the space, keep them apart, but ive seen plants bushed up together during veg that didnt seem to affect the male/female ratio, more females than males, so i wouldnt worry about it.
Well if he is a well respected guy maybe he knows something that I don't. However, I can tell you this, the whole idea of the SOG meethod is many small plants grown in very close proximity. They actually thrive when close and possibly touching.