Lighting led too close to seedlings?

[Po boy]

after tiring of years of adjusting cfl's i thought a led just for the veg might reduce my light work.
Mars has "Old Style" led lights in 300w for $83 so i bought one. i've been keeping the lights 24" above the top of the plants, as recommended by Mars, and after two weeks the seedlings look ok, just stunted. the space between the 1st and 2nd nodes it too tight compared to what i'm used to. do you think my lights are too close?

 

[Hansbricks]

Hey man, I have 3 different LED lights including a 300w similar to yours. I start mine at 30" typically but I don't think 24" is too close... If you're used to vegging with CFLs then you will get less stretch initially with LEDs but they should start taking off after the 3rd week and then get a big stretch between week 4-5.

 

[namvet25]

Iv'e got the same light and also at 24 inches.Plants are only two weeks old but it looks like I might go up to 30 inches to get them to stretch a little.

 

[HotBunz]

I also have a new 300w Mars Hydro old style. I am finding a very short internode length as well. But being I have a limited growing height of only 29" I welcome the shortness at this point in the growth cycle. As a matter of fact I have my fixture at about 10-12 inches from the top of my girls. When they get started on their stretch I will still have room to move the light up. When they finish I want colas from the ground level up, no need for a 10" long cola with 12" of with stem taking up space under it. Making a tall plant does not mean you are making more bud always.

 

[chuck1718]

I'd have to say its all up to you do you plan to let it just grow straight up, lst, scrog? Heres my Auto Assassin started with the same light at about 20 inches now I have it like 12 inches only lst.

 

[Po boy]

thanks all

 

[thetreeman]

What are your room/tent temps like? Ive got a theory that much of the 'compacted' growth caused by LEDS might be due to surface temp of the leaves being significantly less with LEDS than it is with HID lights. Try bumping up your tent temps closer to 80 degrees and see if that helps. I try to keep my temps between 75 and 85 degrees. This might help you.