The young plants seem to accept the nutrients quite well and grow at an amazing rate. Their stalks are getting stronger. I tried pinching some of the weaker stalks, but I am not sure about how much I can squeeze before it causes too much damage. The plant repairs itself and makes the stalk stronger. The lights being 6 inches above the plants prevent the overstretching of stalks (an issue we had last year having the plants on a window sill). The fan keeps the plants cool and makes slight movement for them to strengthen them.