Envirolites-distance from seedlings

Just started some new seedlings. Around 10 days old, they appear to be stretching which makes the stems thinner. The obvious answer is to move the light closer, but how close should a 200 watt envirolite be from new seedlings. I do know that envirolites are susposed to be 2-4 inches from more mature plants, even ones only a month old. I don't want to burn the plants nor do I want them to get top heavy and drop over, as one as already done this. Any ideas most appreciated.

 

I'm not familar with your light ,is it a full spetrum type with a pretty good balance of red and blue? A light that favors the red spectrum will make tall lankey stretched looking plants. Are they close together competing for light? Do you have a fan to keep the heat down, high temps will make plants stretch, a fan also promotes strong stems. The light shouldn't have too be close in seedling stage, I wouldn't think even 2 feet would be to high,but you do want it as close as possible.The males also have a nasty habit of steaching too.The ones getting less light will also streach to reach it,so rotate your plants around.Could be the strain, i've seen plants on the 10th set of leaves only 8 inches tall and some a foot and a half on the 10th set,under the same lights. Well thats about all I know about stretching ,hope something leads you in the right direction! OH, i'd think 2-4 inches would be too close during budding, those hairs burn pretty easy!..... later!

 

A good rule of thumb with small plants is that if you feel any heat on your hand at the distance of the tops of the plants from the light it is too close. Remember that it is not just the color or amount of light that may be causing them to stretch.

Genetics can affect this as can nitrogen uptake. Another thing to remember is that some plants naturally start spindley and then fill out after an initial spindley stage. I would say about 6 inches to one foot would be safe. Not familiar with your light either however. BOG

 

Envirolites are mean't to have 100% par they are very cool as there really similar to flourescants. As BOG says if its comfortable for your hand the plants should be OK. I'd say 4 inches sounds fine. Get an Oscillating fan blowing over the tops of the plants this will cool things down plus strengthen the stems. What strain are you growing? Remember Sativas do stretch anyways. Heres a link showing Envirolites:-
http://www.theonlineelectricalwholesaler.com/catalog/products.php?cpath=88_254_256

 

Thanks Bushy and Buffoonman. I am growing sativa, they are over 2 weeks old but look as tho they only a few days old, some of the leaves will not open up. They are only a few mm tall, is 4-6 inches ok?

 

Sativas are renown for stretching, I would definitely consider training your plants or doing a screen of green. Otherwise your light won't have enough penetration. Weaving them in and out of a net would be OK then the light could be kept at four inches. Some really stretchy long flowering sativas can be put straight into flowering once rooted.

 

Hey there, I've just done a bit of research into envirolites, and I'm very impressed at many indoor gardener's results. For more lumens for money you can get two 125w for the same price as one 200w envirolite, but the real beauty of these lights is the efficiency due to the 100%par and low wattage. You can grow three times the amount of plants for the same wattage as one single 250w of HDS (apparently). The cheapest place to get them from is these guys: http://www.growlightsdirect.com/acatalog/Lamps.html as they are the wholesale distribution shop for MG envirolites, they are cheaper too, only £20 for a bulb. On the website there is a complete growing guide to using envirolites. The manafacturer's website has some very useful info too http://www.envirolites.co.uk/