How close do the grow lights have to be so seedlings don't get leggy?

[r4eboxer]

My broccoli has sprouted and I turned on the lights. I have it hung about 4-5 inches above them. Is this close enough to keep them from getting leggy?

 

[catjac1975]

That's about where mine is and they are fine. I think leggy comes more from seedlings leaning towards a window.

 

[thistlebloom]

I like to keep mine almost touching the leaves. Check your lumens too, I had some legginess going on last year even with the lights nearly touching, then I swapped the bulbs out for ones with higher lumens and they were much improved.

 

[lesa]

I'm with thistle- closer is better. I have mine on a chain set-up, so I can keep raising them as the seedlings grow....

 

[r4eboxer]

Hmm, I've got my rack setting in front of my huge picture window and grow lights on too. I will check the lumens on the bulbs. Didn't know such a thing existed. What should they be?

 

[r4eboxer]

I'm with thistle- closer is better. I have mine on a chain set-up, so I can keep raising them as the seedlings grow....

Mine are on chains too, so I am going to lower them some more.

 

[HunkieDorie23]

I have always heard 2-4 inches, and tried to go with 2 until they developed true leaves then you can go a little farther if you have to. I can use chains to raise them if I need to but when my lights weren't movable I used different size boxes to more the plants up and down.

 

[curly_kate]

I'm with the others who said as close as possible. You can't go wrong with that.

 

[Collector]

I also go as close as possible around 2". We also use a small fan on them to make them a little more sturdy.

 

[chris09]

If your Broccoli get to hot they will get leggy also.


Chris