Guitar Man
Well-Known Member
Wrong! You have it backwards.
Why Do Plants Stretch?.
- Thread starter Sunbiz1
- Start date
Wrong! You have it backwards.
Guitar Man
Well-Known Member
Hi GM/All,
Hopefully this will assist in clarifying why I am puzzled, and perhaps shed some light on my original question. On the left of photo 1 is this strain:
http://en.seedfinder.eu/strain-info/Caramel_Candy_Kush/Dynasty_Seeds/
On the right is phenotype #2 of this strain:
http://en.seedfinder.eu/strain-info/Drizella/Dynasty_Seeds/
Both were topped same number of times, grown in same medium w/same lighting etc. The kush stretched like hell right after flipping the switch so to speak...down to 12/12. This strain began flowering outdoors when sunlight went below about 14 hours. Could it be that reducing light on a slower cycle would reduce stretch?. The WW pheno Drizella hardly stretched at all upon flipping, as you can see just bloomed like hell.
Since I had the camera out, took some bud porn just for fun.
View attachment 2908219View attachment 2908220View attachment 2908221View attachment 2908222View attachment 2908223
Interesting. I looked up both of your Strains and the Sativa is your shortest plant. They did give an estimate of the stretch on this one, but not the other (Indica). Did the Sativa stretch beyond the predicted 1.75-2.0? I would also ask the seed provider about the stretch of the Indica.
Sunbiz1
Well-Known Member
I spoke directly to the breeder last summer, while I was running the indica in-ground. To my surprise, he stated he's seen them as high as 16'...and estimated max ht. around 20!. I can see that, considering I had to prune constantly all summer to keep height at 5'. The sativa I did not discuss w/Professor P, but it doesn't stretch double...I'd say 1.5 but there are 3 other phenos I don't have here in order to accurately assess stretch of that strain.
oh right, i was basing it off his plants haha.
harris hawk
Well-Known Member
It's in the seed's genes indica's strains generally do not stretch as much as sativa's strains, which also takes longer times to grow. The plant "sterches" in the 1st 4 weeks of flower, generally 1-2x's height once switching to 12/12
OGEvilgenius
Well-Known Member
You sort of have to define your terms, but sativa dominant plants from the equator have to compete with much more vegetative growth than say short and squat indicas that grow in Afghanistan where conditions are less than ideal for many varieties of plant and the light intensity is less.
It has a lot to do with the evolutionary background of the plants at the end of the day.
It has a lot to do with the evolutionary background of the plants at the end of the day.
OGEvilgenius
Well-Known Member
Candy Kush is Trainwreck x OG isn't it? That's gonna stretch a lot given both are sativa dominant. It's genetic.
dannyboy602
Well-Known Member
I may be preaching to the choir but doesn't the stretch have a lot to do with the light being cut in half? and with other things being equal what would happen to a flowering plant that was exposed to 12/12 on every other day and 18/6 on the off days? would the plant still flower? would the stretch be less?
Guitar Man
Well-Known Member
Haha! Yeah, 18/6 then 12/12, again and again----I don't know about stretch, but I'll bet you'll get HERM to come visit! Stretch seems to be all about the buds, giving room for them to swell and get bigger. When I first started growing, I was fascinated how much the plant grows when the light is cut back. You would think it would be the opposite.
Sunbiz1
Well-Known Member
http://en.seedfinder.eu/strain-info/Caramel_Candy_Kush/Dynasty_Seeds/
Bubba kush crossed w/this:
http://en.seedfinder.eu/strain-info/Ms_Universe/Dynasty_Seeds/
"Mother used for this cross is a very unique sativa dominant plant with an indica structure"
Doer
Well-Known Member
Well, I read the entire thread and I can't see if stretching is good or bad, just is, right?
As I understood the stretching, it is to make room for the cola? Now why do some do it and others not so much, is all about the background genetics.
But, the real question is still un-answered. Is it something to control, to worry about, to try to get to max, or how about getting minimum stretch? It just is, right?
I have heard people worry about both. But, It just is what it is, afaik.
I do not think the closeness of the light has anything to do with it. When I first got my water-cooled light, I had it very close, too close as it turned out. But, the girls stretched up and topped the light in a couple of weeks, and got a serious light burn.
As I understood the stretching, it is to make room for the cola? Now why do some do it and others not so much, is all about the background genetics.
But, the real question is still un-answered. Is it something to control, to worry about, to try to get to max, or how about getting minimum stretch? It just is, right?
I have heard people worry about both. But, It just is what it is, afaik.
I do not think the closeness of the light has anything to do with it. When I first got my water-cooled light, I had it very close, too close as it turned out. But, the girls stretched up and topped the light in a couple of weeks, and got a serious light burn.
Sunbiz1
Well-Known Member
During vegetative state, in a wetland last summer...my kush stretched terribly due to close proximity of native plants. I could not get out there to prune often enough, so I wound up lollipopping bottom third of plants. However, they did not stretch all that much upon commencement of flowering. My guess on this is due to only losing a few minutes/day of sunlight as opposed to flipping the switch on an indoor.
I can only base my conclusions on what I experienced under various conditions using identical clones. At this point, I would have to say genetics, lighting, and proximity of other plants all are contributing factors.
twistedwords
Well-Known Member
The same reason a penis stretches....It grows.
Doer
Well-Known Member
Okay, so I'd like to add my 2 cents. Over the last 30 years, I've planted and maintained numerous vegetable and landscape gardens. When I think of the plants that shot out or stretched when they went into flower, its endless. So I would have to assume, an outdoor grow with all natural environment and light source, proper nutrients is as natural/normal that your going to get. If that strain stretches under perfect outdoor conditions then I'd have to assume it's a genetic characteristic of that strain. Now if it's stretching in its natural conditions, then I'd also assume it would stretch somewhat indoors too....but it shouldn't stretch MORE indoors if the indoor grow environment is flawless. As far as I know, you can't come close in quality of light indoors as compared to pure direct sunlight, so hypothetically, less light indoors = less stretch.
Its not often that I come across a perfectly dialed in indoor grow. It took me 5 years of trial, error, hitting forums, researching problems. So many things I knew but yet were blind to them in my own grows. Up until now, they all had one thing in common, insaine stretch. I think eccessive stretch takes away from an otherwise great grow and bud. It makes the buds real wispy/airy. You dont get those nice tight dense buds from a plant that should be producing them. I added a co2 system that didnt make a noticable difference. Recently, I took a long look at my grow, realized a few problems, made corrections, and omg what a difference. These problems were temperature, light intensity, and air circulation. My room temps were 85-90F, 80%, in a sealed room. My changes brought temps down to 72-76, continued with the co2, added a fresh air/exhaust system, and the plants responded incredibly. Bushy plants intead of tall twigs. All these grows have been from the same mother over a 5 year period. I'm very familiar with these girls. I can positively say that correcting these two issues made the world of difference.
The second being my light. It was wayyyy too close. I'm still a novice in the light area, but I think closer is not better. My 600w was running about 4-5" away, I moved that up to a minimum of 16". I have a chart that I'll try to figure out how to post, I think its a PAR chart. At 4" my plant was getting 1735% more PAR that it would normally get outdoors from the sun. Intense light~photosynthesis~high heat all contribute to stretch. In my opinion, in Guitar Mans photo, the plant on the right is stretching from being so close to the light. Its trying to allow internal heat to escape so it stretches allowing airflow through the plant including the buds. But what happens? It gets closer to the light making things worse. The plant on the left is much less stretchy, but the light is at a much safer distance, resulting in a less stretchy plant. Just my opinion Guitarman, great looking plants, but I think some of that stretch is light stress.
The sativas dominate in size over indicas. We all agree on that i believe. Sativas.... equatorial (very hot/humid) strain. Genetically implemented in characteristics of sativas to stretch to help with airflow through plant? Indicas...colder climates, less intense light.....doesn't need to stretch as much due to colder climates.
Hope this helps. Im in no way an expert but this is based on my own research and experience
Its not often that I come across a perfectly dialed in indoor grow. It took me 5 years of trial, error, hitting forums, researching problems. So many things I knew but yet were blind to them in my own grows. Up until now, they all had one thing in common, insaine stretch. I think eccessive stretch takes away from an otherwise great grow and bud. It makes the buds real wispy/airy. You dont get those nice tight dense buds from a plant that should be producing them. I added a co2 system that didnt make a noticable difference. Recently, I took a long look at my grow, realized a few problems, made corrections, and omg what a difference. These problems were temperature, light intensity, and air circulation. My room temps were 85-90F, 80%, in a sealed room. My changes brought temps down to 72-76, continued with the co2, added a fresh air/exhaust system, and the plants responded incredibly. Bushy plants intead of tall twigs. All these grows have been from the same mother over a 5 year period. I'm very familiar with these girls. I can positively say that correcting these two issues made the world of difference.
The second being my light. It was wayyyy too close. I'm still a novice in the light area, but I think closer is not better. My 600w was running about 4-5" away, I moved that up to a minimum of 16". I have a chart that I'll try to figure out how to post, I think its a PAR chart. At 4" my plant was getting 1735% more PAR that it would normally get outdoors from the sun. Intense light~photosynthesis~high heat all contribute to stretch. In my opinion, in Guitar Mans photo, the plant on the right is stretching from being so close to the light. Its trying to allow internal heat to escape so it stretches allowing airflow through the plant including the buds. But what happens? It gets closer to the light making things worse. The plant on the left is much less stretchy, but the light is at a much safer distance, resulting in a less stretchy plant. Just my opinion Guitarman, great looking plants, but I think some of that stretch is light stress.
The sativas dominate in size over indicas. We all agree on that i believe. Sativas.... equatorial (very hot/humid) strain. Genetically implemented in characteristics of sativas to stretch to help with airflow through plant? Indicas...colder climates, less intense light.....doesn't need to stretch as much due to colder climates.
Hope this helps. Im in no way an expert but this is based on my own research and experience
The "flipping a switch" theory makes alot of sence too. That's another thing I changed at the same time as my renovations. I went from flipping to transitioning 2 days at 18, 17, 16.. it took more time but that might also be a factor in my experience. Maybe a slow transition makes the plant think "gees, ok, come on, we gotta get ready to pop some flowers out soon, falls approaching" and flipping a swtich is more like "SHIT, we overslept...its Fall, run run, hustle hustle, get that flower out there now!!!!!!!" Causing more of a stretch reaction
Doer
Well-Known Member
So, you think the stretching is something to be avoided and/or reduced? Hmmmm....opinions vary on this one. I give them the dark switch for 36 hr so they say WTF!!!???
And then the light switch to 12/12 answers that question with, Flower Time!!
But, light burn is real. And the minimum for me with a water cooled light is 30 inches.
No Doer, that was the only variable that was unrelated to heat. I always had a excessive stretching problem with my plants. Im just adding my input on what changes I made and how the plants reacted to those changes. As far as flipping the switch, I always did the same thing. I would leave the lights off for at least 24 hours before starting my 12 12 schedule. And then right before harvest I would also turn the lights off for 36 hours to try in boost resin production. I'm just saying that with the changes that I made there is a huge noticeable difference in the same plants and the same strain as opposed to previous harvests that I've had over the years. But one other thing that I had changed this most recent grow unrelated to heat and light stress was the transition from veg to flower. I'm not saying that this is how it works and that's how you need to do it, I'm saying I had a problem with stretch, I did these things and the results were very positive in the looks of the buds and overall height of the plants. I really dont know how the plant reacts to transition from veg to flower but thought I'd give it a try this run. Honestly, I wish I had the room for a side by side grow and see how each response to flipping a switch or a slow transition into flower but I'm stuck working with a 4x7 closet.
So to answer your question Doer, from what I've seen with varieties of different noncannabis and cannabis plants, stretch is normal entering its flowering stage. Do I think it should be avoided/reduced? If enviormental stress is the cause of the stretch and resulting in real wispy airy buds, then yes. Whether its small or big, I like more of a dense tight bud over a wispy one. Do I think it should be reduced/avoided in a perfect controlled indoor/outdoor environment? Most likely not as long as there's no variable that's causing the stress resulting in less quality bud.. Everyone has their opinions so your absolutely right saying opinions vary...and they should!
So to answer your question Doer, from what I've seen with varieties of different noncannabis and cannabis plants, stretch is normal entering its flowering stage. Do I think it should be avoided/reduced? If enviormental stress is the cause of the stretch and resulting in real wispy airy buds, then yes. Whether its small or big, I like more of a dense tight bud over a wispy one. Do I think it should be reduced/avoided in a perfect controlled indoor/outdoor environment? Most likely not as long as there's no variable that's causing the stress resulting in less quality bud.. Everyone has their opinions so your absolutely right saying opinions vary...and they should!
