How to avoid burning tops of plants

[PNW_grown]

I am growing in a 10 X 9 ft bedroom and the ceiling is only 7 ft tall. With the plants in the pot (5 gallon) they are standing at 27-32 inches tall. By the time i am done flowering, i am guessing they will be doubled almost, leaving the tallest one at a little over 5 ft with the pot. Now heres the problem, most people say to keep the 1000w 2.5-3 ft above the tops. If thats the case, my light will be in the ceiling. How do i keep from burning the tops? Any and all suggestions welcome. I am swithching over to 12/12 tonight.... By the way, just so yall know, i am growing Blueberry, bubbleberry, herijuana, white rhino, purple zindica, sensi star, crushed velvet, velvet heaven, green giant, mazar, and lastly space wreck.

 

[Guest]

High PNWgrown. I would say the best thing is an air cooled reflector. I use a 600w and im able to hang 1ft above the tops of the plant. It also keeps the temps in the room from getting to high. Hope this helps. peace

 

[agent 420]

try tying the tops down or at an angle. or put a screen over the tops of the plants. Is it to late to train them? i'm not sure.
or....
get several 48", 40 watt fluoro tubes, place them above the tops, then put the 1000w(MH or HPS?) to the side of the plants or circle the plants around the light. then you could let the tops get as close as they wanted to the flouro's and have plenty of horizontal room to expand with the 1000w helping develop the side and bottom.
just an idea. keep righteous.

 

[The Hashasin]

Hi,
Yuo can also purchase a heat shield as well for your Bulb... Good luck with the grow nice choices....

 

[iwannabelikeBOG]

Too Hot?

Too Hot?

I would suggest that you train your plants. I train my plants by hanging little homemade weights on the branches. It allows me to train the branch to wherever I want it. I went to the hardware store and bought washers and stereo wire. I take one end and run it through the washer and then I take the other end and make a little hook with it and hang it from the branch that I want to train or bend a certain direction. I have found that this works quite well. Also the suggestion about the air cooled light is a good one. It works for me. Good Luck

 

[deZerTomB]

yep, you just bend em over when they get too tall, kite string works great.

 

[PNW_grown]

the hood i bought has the pop-out to install a litlle exhaust to cool it, i guess thats what you all are talking about right? Anyway, thanks for all the input it is greatly appreciated. So far they are fine, and i really dont have to worry about it for a while, but i guess i am just anticipating it and getting prepared thanks again everyone

 

[Guest]

Have you considered a light rail?

Or maybe a cool tube!

I have a 1000w running through a cool tube and keep my plants from 14" to 20" away.

Here is a pic of my cool tube....its a handy lil device....cheap to make as well!

 

[JohnBell]

I run a 1000w PL air cooled and I can run it as close as 8-10 inches from the top with out burning. I found this out while I was out of town.. However, I really like to keep it right at 12 inches from the top of the canopy at all times. I have a nice pully system to raise and lower the light and I have a few strings to mark off 8', 12', 18' I hang on on each corrner of the light this helps me find the right spot. I try to keep the light as close as I can to the tops.

COLAS.. Yummmmmmm


I had one run away plat that I had to bend over a good bit they can take it so dont worry about bending them down.

 

[4polychronic420]

you could use a glass shield ive seen that work in micro grows for little 70 watt hps but i havent seen it done on bigger scale
give it go
good luck

 

[badmf]

Caution do no use a glass sheild without a fan set-up! The heat will lower your bulbs efficiency and life! Who said have the bulb 2.5-3' away that is too far to get decent lumens. In set-ups w/o air cooling you can get within 18" with a fan blowing across the top of the plants and suffer no loss. Training them as mentioned is a wise thing to do to get them to fill out a bit and not just get higher and higher. Light from hids only penetrates well to three feet from the bulb,so try to keep within that parameter. Good Luck in your venture!

 

[Urban Spaceman]

I agree with badmf. You would be surprised how close you can have 1000watt to your plants with a fan blowin across the top. Another way to test for heat is lay your hand at the level of plant tops w/ palms of hand facing tops of plants in between plants and bulb. If the top of your hand is feeling discomfort then your to close.I usually have my 1000watt within a foot.

 

[PNW_grown]

thanks so much for all the comments. I put a fan (hanging) near my light and i did notice that i can lower it more, but it still looks like the leaves are twisting, just like when they are getting too hot.

 

[Dr. D]

heat shield

heat shield

Get a heat shield like hashasin said i use one and it makes loadsa difference, i highly recomend them they also spread the light more evenly over a larger area...

 

[Hitman]

A sunsystems 1K HPS like to get hot. Had to buy a glass to block the light and a 265 Dayton. Helps. Still is hot. Just does not fry the tops now. Burns look like bleach stains.