Floro tube to CFL problems

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Weedymcweedweed

Active Member
I have 9 plants at about 22 days from seed, and after using 4 floro tubes, I split up my plants between my 4 floro tubes (320 watts) and 3 new CFLs (300 watts)

The plants under the floro tubes did outstanding, but my 4 plants under the cfls became extremely unhealthy. There was a lot of yellow discoloration and a LOT of curling and "limpness" of the leaves. Stems even started turning purplish.

I thought it was the aluminum reflectors, so I took them off and just had the three lights hanging over the plants (about 4 inches). STILL, the plants were unhealthy. The temperature is a few degrees higher with the CFLs than with the tubes.

In the mean time I put all 9 plants under the 4 tubes and they're growing healthy, but I don't want my CFLs to go to waste since they can potentially double my wattage.

What can I do!?
 
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redfoxx

Guest
How close were you putting the CFLs? I've had very similar problems with my plants as well. Yellowing throughout the leaves and then some browning on tips...

What is your feeding schedule, what are you growing in? Move the CFLS to about 4-5" away. Please post some pics.
 
ez_growin

ez_growin

Well-Known Member
Weedymcweedweed said:
I have 9 plants at about 22 days from seed, and after using 4 floro tubes, I split up my plants between my 4 floro tubes (320 watts) and 3 new CFLs (300 watts)

The plants under the floro tubes did outstanding, but my 4 plants under the cfls became extremely unhealthy. There was a lot of yellow discoloration and a LOT of curling and "limpness" of the leaves. Stems even started turning purplish.

I thought it was the aluminum reflectors, so I took them off and just had the three lights hanging over the plants (about 4 inches). STILL, the plants were unhealthy. The temperature is a few degrees higher with the CFLs than with the tubes.

In the mean time I put all 9 plants under the 4 tubes and they're growing healthy, but I don't want my CFLs to go to waste since they can potentially double my wattage.

What can I do!?
Click to expand...
Radiant heat is causing the problem is what I found using CFL...while the over all cabinet heat may not be hot the heat these CFLs put out is higher than most people think...140-155 degrees.... if you have your plants surrounded by these they get smothered...I had the same problem until I switched to HPS...try moving lamps like redfoxx suggested.
 
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Weedymcweedweed

Active Member
does this mean I can put the aluminum reflectors back on? Or is it my best bet to just let them hang without the reflector a little bit further away from my plants?
 
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redfoxx

Guest
Weedymcweedweed said:
does this mean I can put the aluminum reflectors back on? Or is it my best bet to just let them hang without the reflector a little bit further away from my plants?
Click to expand...
Do this...put the reflectors back on, but move the CFLs to say...10 inches away for a day....see how the plants do, if they're better you can try moving it closer by 2 inches each day. Hope they get better.
 
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