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Western PA

I started a few watermelons. I have them in a insulated box with 2 flourescent bulbs and the temp is around 84 degrees.
I am trying to keep the new seedling with in an inch from the lights.When they get close I back them down a little, maybe 1 inch from the lights. I would say the stalks are at least 1.5 inches. They are getting their 3rd and 4th leaves.
Are they too leggy or is this normal. Would it be a good idead to ad some more starting mix to take up the leggyness? This is my first time growing cc's.
Lee

3/16/2010 8:28:11 AM

formerly RGG

Try taking them ouside during the day if the temp is above freezeing. Reduceing the temp a little might help some too. Legginess is almost always from a lack of intense light. If you can afford it, purshase a metal halide or high pressure sodium grow light and you will find the intense light from one of these will be plenty to eliminate legginess.

3/16/2010 8:37:41 AM

Western PA

Thanks TD, It was a nice day today so I did put them out for a few hours. I did purchase another light and two more bulbs. I did not get the ones you mentioned but did upgrade from my plain old flourescents.
We are supposed to be in the 60's through Saturday so I plan on setting them out every day from 11-4pm.They also get placed on a dark surface that heats up real nice. I hope to update my diary with pics of them soon.

Oh yeah, the water melons I have started are 183 Neptune and 191 Holloway.
Thanks again,
Lee

3/16/2010 8:07:21 PM