Maximum Yield Cannabis Canada January/February 2023 | Page 14

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR A GROWER ? Email editor @ maximumyield . com to get an answer . ask a GROWER
by Lee G . Lyzit
Q

a

Help ! My poor little seedlings are very leggy and they ’ re really having a hard time . My last grow bulb died , so I bought a new set of four . They ’ re the kind that screw into a desk lamp . I gave them filtered water , organic fertilizer , and plenty of water , but they look like bean sprouts with erectile dysfunction . They ’ re three different breeds ( Blue Kush , Blue Moon Rock , and Modified Mints ), but all feminized . Is it possible to save them , or am I out $ 120 in seeds ?
— Jen W .
am sorry to hear you are having issues with your

I seedlings . From your description I would guess you did not have adequate lighting for your little ones when they sprouted . When germinating , the cannabis seedlings do not need light but after sprouting they need adequate light to grow properly . Unfortunately , the grow lights you are describing ( that screw into a regular base socket ) are not typically powerful enough for growing cannabis . That being said , four lights will be better than one and your new system should outperform your old grow light . Hopefully , the change you made can save your seedlings . However , if you plan on continuing the hobby of indoor cannabis cultivation you may want to invest into a flourescent or LED light system designed specifically for plant growth . These systems will have the wattage and spectrum needed to beef up your seedlings and to grow cannabis full-term . Ideally , cannabis seedlings would receive 20-40 watts per square foot of space . Once the lighting issue is corrected it is possible to carefully , and I mean carefully , transplant the seedlings into a deeper container so you can bury the majority of the leggy stem and allow the top portion of the seedling at the base of the soil . If the lighting is adequate , the seedlings will continue to develop in a more compact manner . Only try this method if the seedings have produced their first set of “ true leaves ” ( the ones that look like cannabis leaves ). Other reasons for leggy seedlings include temperatures that are above the desired range , overcrowded seedlings , or , in rare cases , lack of nutrients in the medium . I believe your issue stems from your original grow light which , in my opinion , was underpowered . However , it would still be worth checking these other potential causes to make sure everything else is on point . I hope this answers your question and that your seedlings bounce back soon .

I hope this resolves your issue .
Keep on growing ! Lee G . Lyzit
LL
Lee G . Lyzit has been involved in the cannabis industry for nearly 20 years . His passion for natural healing motivates him to learn as much as he can about the miraculous cannabis plant . Lee ’ s knowledge of cannabis gardening stems from his own extensive cultivation experiences and his past work as a hydroponic shop owner and manager .
14 Maximum Yield