There is your main problem. That light intensity will likely even be to much for a mature plant in flower only getting 12hrs of light.
I swear to all that is good I am not stalking you. Although I could probably learn all I need by going through your posts. I try to search a question before I ask it. If I can find the answer, why bother anyone. I am doing ok so far winging it with light. Messed up with the original seedling tray light (it was 12”) because ya know, I forgot the idea was for them to grow. It was fine for 9 plugs in the middle of a tray.
I was too afraid to put them under my PhotonTek X600 pro. I researched lights a bunch and had a budget. They all went over the stated wattage in real life tests and I was purposely trying to stay as low as possible. This one draws pretty close to the stated power, had the added benefit of a cool esthetic (I know, dumb), and is the US version of Lumatek….their trying to remain separate as far as sales, got confusing and earned me a supplemental 100w when they produce theirs in Feb ‘22.
So, afraid of the light I bought to grow weed, I went and bought another light to grow weed. It’s an
HLG 65 V2 and it did well for my needs, but once they needed to be separated, that was done and I put them under the PhotonTek at 25% 24” (I may have started at 36” and noticed quick it wasn’t enough, I didn’t write it down…lesson learned). They were great. I jumped too quick to 50%, saw it quick, dialed it down a bit (have a controller with more control). Then over a few days I raised it to 50%, still at 24”. They seemed ok the couple days transitioning. Yesterday we talked about my overwatering a couple. This morning, just before lights out, I grabbed a peek and some of them were “praying” on the top. Not all, just a couple. Now, I’m sure you know I’ve read 100 opinions on what this means. I still don’t know what it means though. lol. I’m going to include their par reading, it’s great for when I’m in flower, I know what height will give me 900/1000. I don’t know how any of this works. Is par just halved at 50%? I have a feeling that’s probably not the way it works. I have the chart of what they need at each stage, I have a light that can give it to them. I have a grower who has no idea how to use it.
I would, will, and have considered buying a light meter. Maybe I’ll just rent one, take the plants out, test the thing at all heights and power levels and keep the chart.
I am so over budget it’s scary. I’m just not wanting to compromise because this isn’t going to fade out. I’m in this for the long haul. I need to save on my medicine. I’m trying to give myself the best shot. I’ve made a bunch of mistakes that cost money too but I’ll be ok. I’m hoping to avoid getting a light meter. Now, I can see on these par maps that if I hang it high enough, I can give them the right level. I don’t want to run the thing at 100% the full run. That’s silly. Sorry so long, and thanks as always for any input.
