OK to put seedlings right under HID?

[unknownone]

Hello esteemed grower friends:

I have a quick question here. Is it OK to start out seedlings directly under the HID? I germed my seeds with the paper towel method for 4 days and then into the soil under the 400W HPS. The light is about 2 feet above the surface of the soil. Temps at soil level 81F.

I have heard different things, that it is OK to start them right under the HID, or that it can slow growth or damage them. So assuming all other conditions are ok, temp, pH, etc. what do you think?

The seedlings look OK except I was a little worried about the growth rate. They have been in soil for 6 days and only the one set of fan leaves have come out, the largest being about 2X the size of the coyts.

Any thoughts appreciated, thanks.

 

[stretchpuppy]

I have started seeds many times under a 400w Air Cooled MH, with nothing but great results. They bush out fast. They will need food sooner under a HID.

 

[unknownone]

Thanks for the quick reply stretchpuppy!

 

[stretchpuppy]

 

[stretchpuppy]

np. :]

 

[sproutco]

When true leaves form, you can start fertilizing the seedlings very weakly. 50-75 ppm nitrogen. This works out to be 1/4 teaspoon 20-20-20 per gallon of water or similar. Don't add this if your soil mix is preenriched with ferts. 24" should be ok to be safe with the seedlings at the beginning. Watch for signs of too much stretching and you will know a lower height like 15" would be better.

 

[unknownone]

Thanks sproutco. I got soil without ferts so I may start ferting soon.

 

[sproutco]

Just do it really weak.

 

[vavwl]

They grow a lot faster under HID. They are more sensitive to heat however, so just make sure your temps are cool. Also remember to keep the soil moist up top until the roots stretch down. It can dry up fast under a HID