How to keep Autoflowers off of lights

[SpOnGe]

Autoflowers too close to HPS

So i have this situation where the plants are getting pretty close to the lights... I'd easily lst or top it, but, i'm growing Autoflowers. They say that you shouldn't cut, train, or any of that due to the short life of the plant and if done it'll stunt the life of it.
So of coarse i don't want to stunt it's process, so i'm in need of dire advice.

I basically ran out of space to raise the lights, and as of last week i took them off of their 1ft plant stands. So now their sitting on the floor.

They are in their 2 week of flowering and i really cannot afford to toast these babies now.

My plan is to bring in some chicken wire (or the like/if there's anything better please let me know [something that won't cause a fire nor collects and builds up heat]) and just run it across the top so that it'll force the plants main stem to slow it's growth and grow sideways if anything. And also to promote growth of the other branches (not that they need it either, but i have no choice at this point).

Mannn, i really wish it didn't come to this but i didn't think autoflowers grew taller than 2'. Mine are at around 30" - 40", now, still growing. Again, although they are already in 2nd week of flowering... Any experienced advice GREATLY appreciated!

 

[devious d]

So if there in the second week of flowering they should,nt stretch no more depending what else is in the cross, cant you tie the main bud down so its bent downwards or to the top of the pot

 

[SpOnGe]

Right. I'm hoping everything from here on out will just be flower growth and maybe stem girth.

I guess i can n will probably try that.
Thanks... Anybody else? What would you guys do?

 

[ironlungs]

tie it down ( train it )

 

[strictlyOG]

go get some phosphoload and use 2ml per gallon. this should make it stop growing vertically and will let it get bushier and denser. if you use this product right. not the way the company tells you to use it. only at 2ml per gallon. the vertical growth should stop in 1-3 days after first app. if you are top feeding dont use this method more than 3 times at 2ml per gallon. if you are using a reservoir only apply once and let it run through for a week. then immediate flush for the next 3 waterings. ohh yeah dont forget to use your other nutes at 1/3 strength for that week. so it does not burn your leafs. this method will stop stretch. and easily hit anywhere from 1.5 to 2lbs. if not more. i myself hit 2+lbs. per a 1k watt. but it all depends on your technique. good luck and hope that stretching stops. because i had the same issue with my Larrys. they were getting way to tall. and this helped me by stopping vertical growth and achieving my 2+lbs. goal..

 

[mal]

Bend the top over

Simply grab the offending top and bend it in the direction of least resistance. What I mean is to bend any offending tops/branches in the most open space available. Look down on the plant and take offending top and bend it down, far enough that it is out of the light, and in the area that is most open when looking down on the plants



mal

 

[SpOnGe]

mann, thanks guys. I'm thinking by the next watering i'm going to have to try training them.

So what do you guys use for the tie down?
Thread?
Fishing Line?
Yarn?
Thin Rope?

I'm thinking i'll try the latter d/t thread and FL possibly slicing thru the buds, and stems....

And i guess i'lll just try taping the tie-down-lines to the outsides of their pots.

 

[Amigrow]

I use a soft covered wire that doesn’t harm plants get it on Amazon and if in fabric pot just poke a hole in side then tie wire to pot and hook round stem and bend slowly can pull bit more each day