First Time, need some advice

They won't die if you take care of them right. Either prop them up with a toothpick or something OR bury the plant deeper so less of the stem is above soil line.

pictures would be great but from the info and seeing what other growers have tried in the passed and its not good.
would you fill confident to remove lower leaves and dig the plants up carefully, dig a deep hole so you can cover most the stretched stem in soil
as this will fix the problem and helps you plant gain a large root mass

It's always good practice to start your sprouts halfway down into the pot... This way if they do stretch all you have to do is add more media... Soil, coco, etc... Around the base of the main stem to add stability to the sprout.... Another important thing to remember is that a fan in the grow space simulates a breeze which will also strengthen the main stem as it gets bigger. My stems always end up being super thick...

sno capz said:

It's always good practice to start your sprouts halfway down into the pot... This way if they do stretch all you have to do is add more media... Soil, coco, etc... Around the base of the main stem to add stability to the sprout.... Another important thing to remember is that a fan in the grow space simulates a breeze which will also strengthen the main stem as it gets bigger. My stems always end up being super thick...

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not sure about this "It's always good practice to start your sprouts halfway down into the pot"

this will cause hot spots in the pot and then enough space for the fan to blow air over the sprouts, don't sound very good to me

best to keep soil 1/2" below the rim of the pot and if your growing with t5's or low watt cfl keep them 1-2" off the top of the canopy and they will grow thick strong stem's

I've never had a problem with any hot spots. Where do you get your info from? I get mine from personal experience... Not from just disagreeing with people....

jacksthc said:

not sure about this "It's always good practice to start your sprouts halfway down into the pot"

this will cause hot spots in the pot and then enough space for the fan to blow air over the sprouts, don't sound very good to me

best to keep soil 1/2" below the rim of the pot and if your growing with t5's or low watt cfl keep them 1-2" off the top of the canopy and they will grow thick strong stem's

Click to expand...

10 years of personal experience



don't get any stretch with my girls

OK i see you know your shit... Credit given... However i don't ever have hot spot problems and have been doing this for about the same time

A solution to my method if worried about hot spots is to use smart pots... Roll down the sides at first then roll them up as the plant gets bigger to add more media

sno capz said:

OK i see you know your shit... Credit given... However i don't ever have hot spot problems and have been doing this for about the same time

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thanks mate, I just found the seedling stretch and don't look as healthy when I used to start with pots half full, I put it down to hot spot problems as it trap some hot air
but since I have filled the pots my seedling look more healthy and the stems a lot thicker

sno capz said:

A solution to my method if worried about hot spots is to use smart pots... Roll down the sides at first then roll them up as the plant gets bigger to add more media

Click to expand...

thats a great ideal with the smart pots, I will have to get myself some of them

jacksthc said:

thats a great ideal with the smart pots, I will have to get myself some of them

Click to expand...

I love smart pots! Never need to transplant if you roll them down... So simple

sno capz said:

I love smart pots! Never need to transplant if you roll them down... So simple

Click to expand...

I transplant my plant twice in veg and then just before flower
would save me transplanting my plant in veg
re-pot just before flower keep them rolled down so I could unroll them after the stretch in flower

Exactly! My sprouts haven't stretch since probably my first or second grow so i don't use smart pots because of stretching issues... I can make them work the entire grow from veg to flower. I use coco plugs for germ/sprout and then i bury them in Mother Earth coco with hydroton for drainage and let em do their thing! I just keep up on my pH levels and nutrient schedule/solutions...

If you prefer transplanting...

You can Buy 1.5gal smart pot transplanters... They've got i slit down One side so you can loosen the sides then slide your hand inside the pot to remove it easily... I used them once but didn't really see much sense in needing to EVER transplant... Unless you simply do not have the room for multiple 5-20gal smart pots... But for the spaces you show in your pics plus your method they'd be perfect.

Plus they are cheap!

1.5gal = $2
5gal = $6

Just got home, here's my lil babies. What type of lighting schedule yall think. I've been doing roughly 14 - 16 hrs light.
Just put the light closer today, but look how stringy they are. Nothing like Google images within the same time frame

Have any of u done manifolding or FIMing?

What kind of light are you using? They look really streched - looks like you were using "normal" bulbs - been there, done that

Grow bulb. I didn't know what to get. I think it's 250w, or lil more. I have it on a basic lamp. Bulb is a issue?