hello,
Could someone explain what causes seed stretch, my seedlings are about 1 week old and 3" 75mm tall and have just shown signs of the first set of true leaves. They look as if they will need support very soon.They are in rockwool cubes being fed Formulex (cf12 ph5.6). They are in a heated propagater (28C Hum 50-60%) The lid is still on with open vents. The prop is 2 1/2 ft 700mm from a strip light.
Should the lid be on/off?
I have a 400w grolux, should they be under this, if so how far?

Hi,

Generally stretching is a sign that the plants are trying to 'reach' for the light. You musn't germinate seeds under your growlux. You're best off starting the seeds under fluros, keeping the tops of the leaves roughly 2-3 or 4 inches from fluros, the cause of your stretching is likely to be the distance the seedlings are from the light.

As for the propagator, start with the vents closed, wait for hunidity to build, then crack one a tiny amount, then more each day untill both are fully open and the plants established, then u can remove the lid completley.

Hop this helps.


Flux.

cheers
I think the plants will need a bit of staking as they grow!

Hi Ya

I read with interest the other replys left and agree that your seedlings require more light but thought you may like to hear how i do mine

Firstly, i use a heated propagator with the lid on, vents closed, untill all the seeds have "Hatched" and look like cress developing. I then introduce my 400 HPS Lamp.. Shock..!! Horror..!!

I keep the lamp about 2ft (70 Cms)ish from the tops of the plants, as they start showing leaves i remove the propagator lid and "start The Fans"!!

Quite gentle at first, desk top oscillating fan, on lowest setting from 2-3 ft away, still with the 400 Watt HPS 2ft above the plants. The Fan helps keep the temperature down from the lamp and also starts to strengthen the stems
of the plants.

I ALWAYS use this method to get things going, and you will see results almost before your eyes!!! Very Rapid growth. I know the "Proper" way is to use Flouresents but i like to get things moving...

I always grow in soil with perlite mix (lately changed to vermiculite) and have had FANTASTIC results for the last 3 years, this year is looking good so far and have just switched to Flowering cycle...

i hope this is welcomed as an "Alternative" to the norm.


Toke Care,

TimeSlice

YOU DON'T NEED A PROPOGATOR to raise your seedlings...this could weelll be the cause of some of the stretch.....

Propogators are for cuttings...

get the lid off, the light source close, and a gentle fan on them like Timeslice sayas and they soon strengthen up....

Mono....x