Grow light on a 45-degree angle?

7munkee · Jul 18, 2022

I have one plant that I attempted to train and during the stretch one branch way at the back shot up 12 inches above the rest. All the rest of the branches are at at the same basic height. How do I set my light for the best par value? do I set it for the one branch or the many?

Currently I have my light hanging at like a 45-degree angle so they all get a better average par. Is this bad for the light? The plant? What other options do I have?

MIGrampaUSA · Jul 18, 2022

What kind of light? If it's an LED light, the only thing it changes is how the light pattern is spread. It will not harm your system. As for HID lighting, once upon a time bulb orientation made a difference in the bulb you purchased. If you purchased a vertical oriented bulb and mounted it in a horizontal fixture, you were asking for premature bulb failure. I'm not sure if that is still factor today. Much has changed in the last 35-40 yrs in HID lighting.

7munkee · Jul 18, 2022

MIGrampaUSA said:
What kind of light? If it's an LED light, the only thing it changes is how the light pattern is spread. It will not harm your system. As for HID lighting, once upon a time bulb orientation made a difference in the bulb you purchased. If you purchased a vertical oriented bulb and mounted it in a horizontal fixture, you were asking for premature bulb failure. I'm not sure if that is still factor today. Much has changed in the last 35-40 yrs in HID lighting.

Yes, it is a 300-watt LED. Bar style. If I don't angle my light, then I get to choose between burning my one tall stem or 80% of my flowers being underdeveloped.

7munkee · Jul 18, 2022

7munkee said:
Yes, it is a 300-watt LED. Bar style. If I don't angle my light, then I get to choose between burning my one tall stem or 80% of my flowers being underdeveloped.

Its in full flower or I would simply lst the one.

MIGrampaUSA · Jul 18, 2022

7munkee said:
Its in full flower or I would simply lst the one.

Many of those bar style lights are marketed for vertical gardening so yes your light is 100% safe. You won't hurt the one odd branch if you weight it down/tie it down some to make a more even canopy. Choose what you think will give you the best results with minimal plant interference.

GrowHobo · Jul 18, 2022

Super crop that one stem. Problem solved

7munkee · Jul 18, 2022

GrowHobo said:
Super crop that one stem. Problem solved

In full flower?

MIGrampaUSA · Jul 18, 2022

Here's what's going to happen ... You'll even out your canopy ... all those nodes will begin to grow straight up towards the light. Those buds get better light and develop faster/thicker and fuller. I will roll the stem between my fingers to soften it and then gently bend it until it buckles. I do this every year in my greenhouse although not so much inside.

It's much safer than topping during flower and the chance of overly stressing the plant is almost none.

Madmax · Jul 18, 2022

Also once its 90deg horizontal you could bend a bit of fencing wire 90 deg to support the branch.

growsince79 · Jul 18, 2022

MIGrampaUSA said:
Here's what's going to happen ... You'll even out your canopy ... all those nodes will begin to grow straight up towards the light. Those buds get better light and develop faster/thicker and fuller. I will roll the stem between my fingers to soften it and then gently bend it until it buckles. I do this every year in my greenhouse although not so much inside.

It's much safer than topping during flower and the chance of overly stressing the plant is almost none.

The only risk is what happened to me last grow. Botrytis can enter the plant through the wound. Not saying it will, but it can and does.

MIGrampaUSA · Jul 18, 2022

True ... and outside in my greenhouse ... insects, mold, wpm and other pests could show up even with the best of preventative care. There's much to look out for but I still would either tie down or super-crop and support to keep them in my grow space. There's always some risk. I've even broken plant material completely off in my lst attempts. In my eyes, done correctly you'll be successful far more than not and is worth the risk involved.

Madmax · Jul 18, 2022

You could wrap grafting tape around it if you split the stem till wound heals .

josefrahl · Jul 18, 2022

Yeah just bend it over. I'm doing this right now in flower as 1 plant got too big. I'm supporting with a little ball of tape in the bend with a very loose piece of tape holding the ball. It's looped so it's not touching the back of the plant. Very easy to remove after 4 or 5 days when the plant recovers. Just cut the loop and pull away. I just removed them yesterday or I'd post a pic.

MIGrampaUSA · Jul 18, 2022

Madmax said:
You could wrap grafting tape around it if you split the stem till wound heals .

I've even used masking tape (painters tape) in a pinch.

Madmax · Jul 18, 2022

Yeah that works really well too.was just bout to find a pic in one of my grows with tape around it..wound healed to a perfect knuckle..

7munkee · Jul 18, 2022

Madmax said:
Also once its 90deg horizontal you could bend a bit of fencing wire 90 deg to support the branch.View attachment 1262782

I've fed them silica the whole grow and they are very strong, but I will try.

GrowHobo · Jul 18, 2022

Try to spread the bend over a larger are. You don’t have to go straight to a 45.

I think someone already recommended massaging the stem to soften it.

You can even mist the area a bit to soften it. Be careful obviously

Seems to be easier a few hours after watering as opposed to before

Madmax · Jul 18, 2022

You mean 90..lol..
Yeah stems get tough...ive had to use 2 thumbs lol on the area i wanted to bend ..just take your time with it..

GrowHobo · Jul 18, 2022

Lol. I’ll go smoke another one

Grow light on a 45-degree angle?

Grow light on a 45-degree angle?

7munkee

MIGrampaUSA

7munkee

7munkee

MIGrampaUSA

GrowHobo

7munkee

MIGrampaUSA

Madmax

growsince79

MIGrampaUSA

Madmax

josefrahl

MIGrampaUSA

Madmax

7munkee

GrowHobo

Madmax

GrowHobo

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