Drooping plants after light switch

[rlsachs2003]

Switched from mh to hps about 3 or 4 days ago. Plants have started drooping bad after first day. Still seem to be growing but worried. Was completely healthy up until then. Any input much appreciated. I am running a 600 watt mh/hps light set up. I have watered when pots dry by lifting pots. And have a moisture meter as well. Growing in pro mix medium. I have been using general hydroponics flora series, haven't changed feeding amounts by much. Noticed a few tips with yellowing and backed the amounts back. I feed twice then a water only feeding . Ph water to 6.2 every time. Light has been kept 24 inches off plants

 

[LittleMT]

Autoflowers sometimes don't respond well to changes and changing the lights is a big one, and one that many successfully do, I get that, however by changing the lights you have also changed the intensity and spectrum that the plant was used to up to this point in its life, you probably also changed the heat/temp the leaves now see. Many folks have temp meters somewhere in their tents and tell me "My temps are fine" however they discover this isn't quite the case when I have them use a hand held temp meter measuring for several minutes right on a leafs surface, and leaves that are closest to the lights. Auto's don't want stress, neither do photos for that matter, photos just have more time for recovery as they are not on a death cycle time clock like a auto. Some feel this makes autos 'tougher' to grow.

Simple answer here is hoping your plants are adjusting and will be fine, but I obviously see your cause for concern, I might try and raise the lights more, ensure some good airflow and probably do some foliar feeding.

 

[rlsachs2003]

Double checked height they have grown a few inches since the light switch. Was 18 inches off top of the tallest plant. I took out my adjustable ratchet. I now have 23 inches of space. I did change the light spectrum. My ballast is dimmable, I had been running it at 100%, turned it down to 50% as well.

 

[LittleMT]

a great sign they are showing growth, but something has them unhappy at the moment. Nice to have a dimmable ballast, I probably would have started it a say 50 percent when you switched over and slowy 'weened' them over to the new light.....

Plants are like us, if all your life you knew of only one light you get accustomed to it, then all off the sudden it changes your body might freak out initially and then adjust..

good luck with the grow, and always remembering each and everyone is a new journey, with twist and turns that ultimately give you great experience.

 

[rlsachs2003]

Thanks. I might invest in a 600 watt dual arc bulb before next grow. That has both light spectrums in it. No knowledge gained without hiccups