Quick question re praying leaves

I have 2 RQS Speedy Chile under a 150W MH, on an 18/6 cycle. Both are in 12L root pouches filled with biobizz light & perlite, although one has fresh soil whereas I'm experimenting with recycled soil on the other. Using MegaCrop for nutes and they got their first feed on Sunday last as they're 3 weeks into veg.

I went to check on them just before lights out and I noticed a strange "behaviour" on both of them - their newest shoots only (3rd set of leaves in recycled soil, 5th in fresh) were standing straight up, almost closing in on themselves whereas the rest of the leaves are wide open and starting to droop a little, as is normal before lights out. I've never seen this before so I'm not sure what's causing it. Unfortunately I don't have pics as the lights went out before I could take one, but I'll try again at lights on. PH is fine, temps can reach 29C or so when it's warm but that wasn't the case last night, the highest it got was 26C. Humidity could be better but it's not awful 44-55% I know leaves up are usually a good sign but I'd expect to see more leaves like that, not just the newest shoot. Any thoughts?

What is the distance between nodes?

I used to think praying leaves was great until my mentor pointed out that the temps were wacked out

29c is great for a mature plant

but these babes are in a desert of soil and heat

I use 2 temp gauges and 2 small fans hi and low

keep them at about 24-26c for the first few weeks

until the roots get low down in dirt

good luck

Leaves lift up as the water content and weight reduces. They are praying at their hardest just before they start going limp.
That is the best time to water them.

Things seems to have rectified themselves, I think. I moved the lights slightly closer when they switched on and they seem to be happy, but the thing is my girl on the right hasn't had any new growth in a week. I have no idea why. She's fed, watered (a little overwatered for a day but bounced back), and temps are good all week. I don't expect to feed or water again till the weekend.

The girl on the left is growing in experimental soil so I'm not too bothered about her, but funnily enough I'm seeing some recovery!

all new nodes look like that for me. they all start pointing up and throughtout the day they slowly come down.

there is a difference between that and the leaves praying. praying leaves usually mean more light?

anyway, im happy they've sorted themselves out!

They're standing up again, although less vertical than yesterday. Still no new growth though, the bigger lady is stuck on her 5th set of leaves for over a week so that has me concerned. It can't be the bulb, this is only my 2nd grow with it.

Lights out in an hour. Like you said @budsugar , I'm used to seeing new shoots standing as they grow up and out but this seems different.

kit10 said:

They're standing up again, although less vertical than yesterday. Still no new growth though, the bigger lady is stuck on her 5th set of leaves for over a week so that has me concerned. It can't be the bulb, this is only my 2nd grow with it.

Lights out in an hour. Like you said @budsugar , I'm used to seeing new shoots standing as they grow up and out but this seems different.

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normal growth, carry on

cat of curiosity said:

normal growth, carry on

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No growth for over a week is normal?? Can't say that's been my experience, but the learning never stops I suppose...

kit10 said:

No growth for over a week is normal?? Can't say that's been my experience, but the learning never stops I suppose...

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it's growing. promise

Watch this space!

kit10 said:

No growth for over a week is normal?? Can't say that's been my experience, but the learning never stops I suppose...

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What kind of lights? Babies like that do not usually like to be close to bright lights especially HID.

I reread it. 150 MH. This is not too bad but babies prefer T5/T8s in my experience.

It's a 150W MH on an 18/6 cycle. They're about 10 inches from the light.

Colo MMJ said:

This is not too bad but babies prefer T5/T8s in my experience

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Lol, no new lights this year, it's just not in the budget! I'll probably go with LED's whenever I do get around to it

@kit10 do you have a light meter of any kind ? Even a cheaper foot candles one ? She looks good to me FYI

Also make sure you water near the edge of the pot and not next to the plant so the roots can search for water.

Keep RH 50% or better in Veg.

No, no light meter. I'm very low tech y'see, old fashioned magnetic ballasts n everything I agree that she looks good, but it's like she's on grow-strike. Hopefully I'll see some new growth in the next few days.

RH is a constant battle but I keep on top of it as much as I can. There is a humidifier in my future when funds allow.

Cheers for the feedback!

I cant see anything glaringly obviously wrong there, mate.

You'll be reet.

kit10 said:

It's a 150W MH on an 18/6 cycle. They're about 10 inches from the light,

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I would move the light to 18" or 24" and try to raise the humidity. A wet towel is a cheap way.

Colo MMJ said:

I would move the light to 18" or 24" and try to raise the humidity. A wet towel is a cheap way.

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Snap! Got one in there and I manually mist.

To me praying plants are growing well and happy as hell.

Like these ones from my last flowering grow. These are under a 1000W Hortilux bulb on a light mover.



Same plant in the front and center not long before harvest and still praying. Some strains do and some don't. That one is a KaliMist x NL#5.



I run my 400W HPS about 8" above the canopy but make sure there is good airflow between the light and the plants. That 1000W is about 16" over the canopy but on a light rail so I'd have it around 24" if it were stationary.

It means the stomata are open more and processing more light and co2. Its a good thing.