Hello, I have a bunch of Habanero seedlings that won't bend toward artificial light like they will with sun light. When I put them in a sunny window seal they will bend toward the light in about an hour or two. But they do not do this with an artificial light that I have, it has been three hours now and no movement at all. Does anyone know what may be wrong? Is the light too weak?
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seeds Habanero Seedlings Won't Bend Toward Light
- Thread starter Palmetto
- Start date
CaneDog
Extreme Member
+1. Just looking at your light fixture it seems like the type that might have weaker fluorescent grow lights - weaker than the high-end and hotter fluorescent bulbs, that is. If so, you might need to bring the light down quite close to the plants and keep the plants in only 2 rows so they don't get wide of the bulbs.
You can use the back of your hand to feel how close you can get to the bulbs without it feeling too warm and don't move them in super close all at once in case it's too close, but I doubt you want to be more than 6" away from those bulbs and very probably closer, like 4" - perhaps even slightly closer for certain weaker bulb types. It's hard to say without knowing what kind of bulbs those are, how many you have, etc., but even if you are running higher powered florescent bulbs, 6" is likely plenty of distance. Also, as you get the plants closer to the light you may want to think about some air circulation, such as a small fan.
Good luck!
You can use the back of your hand to feel how close you can get to the bulbs without it feeling too warm and don't move them in super close all at once in case it's too close, but I doubt you want to be more than 6" away from those bulbs and very probably closer, like 4" - perhaps even slightly closer for certain weaker bulb types. It's hard to say without knowing what kind of bulbs those are, how many you have, etc., but even if you are running higher powered florescent bulbs, 6" is likely plenty of distance. Also, as you get the plants closer to the light you may want to think about some air circulation, such as a small fan.
Good luck!
CaneDog
Extreme Member
Yes, give it overnight. If you get it close enough to the light it will turn and eventually straighten some too - it will also turn in light that isn't strong enough, so just turning doesn't necessarily mean you're close enough. Good idea testing with just one first, but don't wait too long with the others or you could start to get a stretch problem!
You're going to end up with a lot of Hab's from those!
You're going to end up with a lot of Hab's from those!
Palmetto said:
Mr. West said:
CaneDog said:
Palmetto said:
CaneDog said:
Zippy said:
karoo said:
sinensis said:
Walchit said:
D3monic said:
Ruid said:
Sorry if I missed something Ruid, who are you addressing this question to?
The bulb is a T5 High output bulb - 6400K / 24 watts. What I meant by the plants bending were the leaves and newest growth. They still have not bent yet toward the light like I was thinking they would. The whole grow light set is this https://www.lowes.com/pd/Ferry-Morse-Grow-Light/1000213341 does anyone else use this or have experience with it? I am still 100% a noob at this, last year was the first year I grew any kind of hot pepper (cayannes).
CaneDog
Extreme Member
I run those T5HO bulbs in 4 foot fixtures and they're plenty up to the task.
As some point out, you've got a lot of stretch in some of those seedlings and they won't recover immediately and may not recover fully. Get the ones that are still short close quickly to prevent the same with them. I'd start at 6" and go in an inch or too if they're ok with it as they adjust to the light and heat change. You may have to bury some stem on some of those like already suggested because they're pretty far down the path. I'd even consider replanting some back-up seeds on the ones in the worst shape to get that underway asap in case you can't recover them to your satisfaction.
As some point out, you've got a lot of stretch in some of those seedlings and they won't recover immediately and may not recover fully. Get the ones that are still short close quickly to prevent the same with them. I'd start at 6" and go in an inch or too if they're ok with it as they adjust to the light and heat change. You may have to bury some stem on some of those like already suggested because they're pretty far down the path. I'd even consider replanting some back-up seeds on the ones in the worst shape to get that underway asap in case you can't recover them to your satisfaction.
