I’m growing three autos (my first grow) in a 3x3x6 tent with an AC Infinity Ionboard S33 light. I’ve been following the instructions from AC Infinity, which say to keep the light ~18" above the canopy - with light set at 80% in veg and 100% in flower.
But two of the plants have gotten so tall that their highest colas are only 10-12 inches from the light - they are at day 64 since sprouting and 28 days into flower. They look healthy so far, but I’m worried that this could cause issues eventually. I haven’t used a light meter so far.
I could raise light about 5" if I move the exhaust fan outside the tent. Or I could reduce the intensity of the light.
Is this something to worry about, even if the plants show no signs so far of light burn?
If you don’t have a way to measure light intensity like a par meter than relying on recommended light distances from AC is your best bet. I’d assume theyd give realistic expectations.
So here is my advice. Worry about the majority, not the few. Find your average canopy height where most of the yield will be and adjust to the recommended height settings and power percentages from there.
The tallest colas will likely develop calcium deficiencies in the leaves, the leaves will taco, get brittle, and the buds will likely fox tail and stretch. The bud will still be awesome and make it to harvest but the leaves will be unsightly. I’ve also just had them turn dark purple and taco, it’s actually kind of cool to see when they go that route.
It’s a downfall of running a variety. Usually with multiple plants you want multiple fixtures. Or a lot of training to control.
If you look at this shot of my canopy you can see what’s receiving too much light. It was unavoidable. Favoring the majority.
The tallest colas here were recieving around 1300-1400 ppfd while the average canopy is around 800 ppfd. The “praying,” leaf discoloration, and beginning to taco and look disfigured. Just got a little passed week 5 of flower, reduced light intensity and gonna coast from here.
That light is only 240w fixture. Unless heat at canopy is a problem i dont believe you will have any issues. 12 inches wouldnt hurt. Only prob would be the footprint. The higher wattage fixtures will cause an issue but the smaller ones have never given me a problem even at 10 inches when heat allowed. They shouldnt get any taller since already stretched. The girls will need every drop you can give them with a smaller light.
Early on I had to “super crop” mine. You’re welling into flowering so generally not advisable, but you’ll have to make the call on that. Looking at the pic, Yours aren’t to bad.
Like me, make a plan from what you’re learning this grow. For me, I’m cutting WAY back on the number of plants, and topping with LST and trellis to help keep them fat, wide and short. For now I just have to limp along to the finish line… hopefully.
I too have same problem but worse. I have two plants in a 2x4. Exhaust fan on outside of tent. One plant is about 10” and looks good but is being overpowered by the other, which is 4-5” from light. Light is zip tied to crossmember. PPFD is 1100. Power on light is “5”. Trichomes not as apparent on tall plant but shorter is showing frost. I’m in week 4.5 of flower. I’m a neewbie, my first grow had lots of stupid mistakes st the start. Suggestions
Thanks I’m trying to shift light from one side over the shorter plant for a few days then back over the taller plant. The buds around the edges see mixed intensity but the buds dead center see the max all the time.
If I get light burn do I top the offenders or bend them over ( but then they will shade the lower buds). I’ve already done some super cropping couple of weeks ago.
