These plants are growing pretty fast, and they are stretching because I was too lazy to fix the light hangers so I could get them closer to the canopy. The plants have been topped to just above the 3rd node, with all shoots below the 3rd node removed and the lights will be lowered to about 18" off the canopy today. The two remaining branches have been staked down so I can start training these plants to grow low and wide. I'm really liking this growing method, and the soil, because it just seems to require so much less maintenance. The plants were only watered one time this week, so I could figure out how frequently I need to water them, so I will water them a little less next time to try to get the watering intervals a little closer. I think these will be ready to transplant into their final 10 gal pots by next weekend.
@Complicate, Thanks! Yeah, I took my time with this grow and it has really paid off. I'm still surprised about how far behind the front plant is so I'll be curious to see if I have a similar issue with my next round. I'm pretty sure it was caused by the lights being shifted too far back and hope that was the issue.
@RussianGrower, thanks for the comment! They look a little sloppier than I’m used to at this stage but I still have plenty of time to train them to fill out better.
@BudXs, Thanks, I appreciate it! I was kind of thrown off by his comment. My diary has a lot of pictures and info in it so I really wasn't sure where he was coming from with that comment, unless he was in the contest and was just being a sore loser.
@CUBULATOR, No, I don't work for GD. I've entered 3 contests so far, and this is the only one that has placed, but my diary isn't showing as a winner yet so I don't know if they are even done with the judging.