I might have been too eager to try to grow my first plants. I started these the first of March. Weather around here was so warm for most of the winter, I gave in and sprouted 7 White Widow Auto Flower seeds, expecting to get them outside in a month. Things went great (I think) and now the weather went crazy cold…and I’m nervous. I don’t really have a “grow room” I’ve been growing these under light (both sunlight and artificial light) with about 6 hours dark time.
I have two questions. First, am I screwed with getting these outdoors (Massachusetts) since they are auto-flower plants. And second, are these growing too tall, which I assume is a lack of good lighting? I’d appreciate any advice…
They are stretching a little bit, but not to worry the next time you transplant them just cove up some of the stem with soil and they should be just fine. It is from a lack of intense light, you’re correct.
First of all, welcome to ILGM Growers Forum. We have a lot of experienced growers here that can help you with most of the problems with a grow.
The stretching of the stalks is most likely due to a lack of intensity of light. Move what lights you have closer to the canopy. Move the lights closer to the plant and the stretching (tall growth) should slow down.
If you want a fairly cheap light that you can use CFL lights can get them closer to the plant without burning. To check if the plant is too close to the light, put your hand, palm down over the top of the plant. If you can keep it there for 8-10 seconds and it is not hot, your light is OK. If it is too hot, move the light away. On the other hand, not hot at all, move the light closer. You usually see a difference in a couple days.
Thanks very much for the responses. In looking for a CFL fixture that would work for me, I ran across several “grow Lights” that are LED, dual bulb, 10 watt lights with a wave length of Red: 620-630nm & Blue: 450-460nm. Would these be better than a standard CFL?
LED Definitely produces a better light but are a little more expensive. The lights you were looking at would produce a much better growing light. You may have to keep them at a farther distance, their light is a little more intense.
If you have a specific bulb you have a question on send me a link and we can look at it.
Also it might not be a bad idea to have a fan gently blowing over top of the plants but not on them. They should only look like they are shivering and not moving a lot. That helps the stalks repair themselves and get stronger.
Starting next week the natural sunlight will be more than 12 hours per day so that will help. Last frost is in May where I live but may be earlier up there.
If you have the time you can cover them at dusk with lights under them for heat and the extra time. You may have to move them inside when the lights go off or have the extra lights move with the plants.
I would stake them with a loose loop like bamboo stakes and pipe cleaners to loop around so the stalks can still move in the breeze.
I would not use the bigger LEDs out doors so yer kinda stuck with bulbs in reflectors. I am not sure which of those are best.
I’m new at this, too, and very much in the same boat as you. I’m planning to keep them inside until the end of April, which is the usual safe temp time in MA – no matter how mild the winter, you can bet it’ll freeze overnight through tax season.
