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Seedling streetch
- Thread starter Smoggy
- Start date
Always did fine under 40 watt fluoros, don't want to use those , when there's plenty room under the 400 [w/ 660 nm Red spot beam LED]
Been wiggling under fan since emergence, but look silly with ~3 in. tender sohot length
Oh well they're already spreading their little wings, I'll let them figure it out.
Been wiggling under fan since emergence, but look silly with ~3 in. tender sohot length
Oh well they're already spreading their little wings, I'll let them figure it out.
Switcher56
Comfortably numb!
I veg under 300W LED and 3" sprouts are the norm here. My 1st ever run was under fluos. They were taller and weak e.g they needed support. Now there are squat and strong 
Transplant the stretched seedlings and bury the stretched stems deep. Just like planting tomato plants.
dlxtpnuo
Active member
Everyone gets leggy seedlings. IMO, the majority of us. Leggy seedlings get to about 8 to 10 cm and then start to harden off, which means stalks become harder and support the plants own weight. They can get a bit longer, and you just need to be gentle with them, here's how.
Fix them by carefully tieing a TWIST WIRE to a small stake. Then gently hook the lassoo around the seedling. Note the lassoo. Lean the seedling against the stake or part of the lassoo. Then gently adjust this as needed. Think more of leaning the seedling against something, than tieing the seedling to it.
This guy used pipe-cleaners. I think it's better to tie the wire to the stake first. Stake works better because it's taller. Pipe cleaner material will go soft and move about. This was the nearest pic I could get, apart from the one above.
Theres lots of info about on how to avoid leggy seedlings. Some opinions say use less water, light or heat. IMO, indoor lights have this effect. But once you have a method to deal with this, I don't think it's a problem at all.
dlxtpnuo
Active member
This guy The_Skunkist didn't have leggy seedlings. The result is nice squat plants. Find out what lights this guys is using, maybe from this post, and that will more-or-less be the end of your leggy seedlings anyway! Look at this.... Heh 
Mine as well? Tee. Please leave your answer here.
Day 20 : labels = 3 killer mandarine auto, others 5 acid kush auto
Mine as well? Tee. Please leave your answer here.Day 20 : labels = 3 killer mandarine auto, others 5 acid kush auto
~ Skunk'O'Matic (2019/2021) ~ Autoflowering Trip 2018 ~ Sweet Autos 2018 ~ Female Seeds Autos 2018 ~ Guerilla Grower 2007 ~
dlxtpnuo
Active member
Here we have some of their specialist lighting. Don't know the make or model do you?
The_Skunkist Some of the new seeds are popping . (Post #174)
Something special is coming with next auto session :
The_Skunkist Some of the new seeds are popping . (Post #174)
Something special is coming with next auto session :
I used to start my seeds in 4" square black plastic pots. The seedlings definitely stretched so I reduced the amount of the soil in the 4" pot to plant the next round of seeds. When they stretched I did as f-e suggested above and added soil around the stem. I ordered some 2" square plastic pots on a hunch. The 2" pots allowed much less stretch after the initial sprouting and the root system of the seedling developed quicker than a seedling planted in 4" pots.
For now support them as needed and when established plant the stems deep in the larger pot.
dlxtpnuo
Active member
I think this explains that The_Skunkist is using these lights for seedlings. Like to know what these lights are from post
#112 ?
#112 ?
Drewsif
Member
No. Your lights must really suck
~1" away from a 40 watt florescent tube is what I remember keeping them tightest.
Typically,. the only times I get stretch in seedlings is either from excess N, too little light (not your issue), or deficient P.
We often start seedlings in either straight Pro-Mix with scant additives for porosity or ever so slight nutrients. Babies don't eat a porterhouse steak and spuds for breakfast.
You might try diluting your mix with Pro-Mix/Sunshine Mix #4 and pumice, perlite, or ????, if the other ideas haven't worked or been doable.
Just my .02 cents on the questions, assuming the other ideas haven't panned o8ut.
We often start seedlings in either straight Pro-Mix with scant additives for porosity or ever so slight nutrients. Babies don't eat a porterhouse steak and spuds for breakfast.
You might try diluting your mix with Pro-Mix/Sunshine Mix #4 and pumice, perlite, or ????, if the other ideas haven't worked or been doable.
Just my .02 cents on the questions, assuming the other ideas haven't panned o8ut.
Ah it could always just be a male. I have to disagree with the suggestion to support leggy seedlings. Best to let them "fall over". If they have to get up on their own it will help to strengthen the stem up. If you offer them a crutch, they tend to think they are ok and lean on one forever.
PolyChucker
Active member
The worst seedling stretch I’ve seen was from using the wrong bulb- I think CFL. Like 5” tall seedlings. I use a simple grow LED from a big box store with an old gooseneck lamp and keep it about 6-12” up. 24hr light seedlings with this simple full spectrum low power bulb seems to keep stretch at a minimum. The bulb costs $10 and I often see suitable lamps on the street. My veg area is a shop light with LED grow T8 style and my flower is blurple cheap 600w from Craigslist. It’s pretty budget but having 3 types of light, on 3 schedules, helps to guide the plant along. 24, 17, 12 hours, with exponentially increasing intensity
