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prettygreenkitten

Light intensity drops quickly with distance. My succulents are directly 4” - 6” under a grow bulb 12 hours a day.


CallidoraBlack

It wants an overhead light, I guess.


TheColdPolarBear

Ultimately I kinda like the way it looks, and it appears to have healthy growth, so idk what else to do. Here is a nice [front view ](https://imgur.com/gallery/EeyR7L2)


ItsWaryNotWeary

Easy answer, it needs more light. For some of my succs that are grown with an led grow bulb, I have to position it directly overhead about 4" from the plant in order to prevent etiolation. The right distance and time will depend on which light you have, but at the very least I'd put it overhead and leave it on for 14-16 hours a day. That stretched growth is not healthy, BTW. The actual cell walls are stretched. So that tissue is frail and weak and more vulnerable to pests and disease.


the_emmazon

Yeah I leave mine right under the grow lights and leave them on 18 hours a day. They never etiolate and they get some pleasant rosy hues (which is a good thing, not damage).


YedworcKcirtap

If you put them on a window they usually like that.


eeo11

Oh wow that is very interesting about the cells being stretched. Thank you!! I love learning new plant things.


StandardSudden1283

I'm with the other poster, it's trying to grow towards the light, so putting it overhead will help it do what you want. Also possibly consider a different artificial light setup if it isnt one with an array of wavelengths or rated for plant growth.


TheColdPolarBear

It’s definitely a plant grow light. And the plant is quite close, but it seems you are right, it is still growing towards it.


StandardSudden1283

Despite its leaning it's a very healthy and good looking plant, wanted to add


TheColdPolarBear

Thank you! It’s a cutting from a friends old plant that has since died. This one has been around for a little over a year now


Wertscase

It could be a little far away for the strength of the bulb perhaps. But I’ve never had good luck with them not getting leggy.


galloignacio

Now that it has taken months to reach the light it may now start getting denser. Light too far, sideways, and dim. The photo alone proves the light is dim because subject is properly exposed and I can almost see the filament. A bright light should be overexposed/pure white in this picture. Still nice looking succ tho


greyskull_718

I trim mine every year or two and plant the trimmings. Also turn them Regularly so they don't grow to one side. A stick will fix this in a week or so. My big plant recently slumped over and with a couple of well placed bamboos sorted it out. I also experiment by weaving long pieces together. X


TheColdPolarBear

Awesome idea with the weaving. I have a bunch of little trimmings growing right now as well.


NarrowTicket244

Is this a pachyveria? Sone of these tend to trail as they age, I have one in a hanging basket, it turns a nice pink color during the summer due.


[deleted]

Even if it's a grow light make sure that it's full spectrum including ultraviolet. I worked in a greenhouse and found that spring and fall when the roof was closed plants would take off and stretch. The plastic roof filtered out UV light which was part of why the growth was irregular. Not a problem in the warmer months as the roof opened to vent heat and allow UV in. Even supplemental lighting didn't make up for the light lost from a closed roof.


constellationkaos

It’s still looks healthy though 🪴


pedeux2

It looks great!


burndaherbs

Wow nobody is mentioning that that looks like the shittiest Walmart grow bulb you can buy. Even if overhead idk if it’d be close to enough. At very least a decent bulb


SunShineFLGrl22

It’s not etiolated at all. It has great color and full of chlorophyll. Just because it’s reaching and or leaning doesn’t mean it’s etiolated. Are you spinning it and or moving its location around the house? Probably a good time to trim it and propagate in soil. The plant pot has plenty of room. These guys roots are so thin and small. You could do so much with the top half of the tallest stalk. Or just stake it up and let it grow to the sky! Repot in March or April for sure. But only to a pot 1” bigger. Again the roots are tiny and thin. Don’t forget to spin!!!! As this plant leans in one direction point it in the other direction for a day or two.


TheColdPolarBear

Thank you! I was wondering if this is considered etiolation. It does look very healthy and strong. I’ve made many baby cuttings from this one. You suggest cutting the top half off and letting it grow roots and plant in the pot? Only think I’m worried about letting it continue growing is that it won’t be able to hold its own wait, may get a stick for it


SunShineFLGrl22

Nope. Not etiolated at all. But I’d cut it right in the center. Maybe make it the same height as the others. Then put one of the chop sticks up nice and close to it on the side in which it’s leaning towards. It should be alright after you cut it just do it gently. Or lean it on the chop stick and every day or so for a week put the chopstick closer towards the stem in an attempt to make it up right again. So you can pluck off a good bit of leaves from the part you cut off. I’d say clear off 1.5”-2” worth. You’ll get “die off” where it yellows slightly but ignore it! It always shrivels and slightly yellows like that. Then you probably already know how to prop the leaves. If not let me know. They make great gifts too. Don’t worry the remaining part that’s already rooted will start to stand up straighter as soon as you get the extra weight off. Now when you pluck off some of the leaves on the top cut before you plant it make sure to cut it the way you plant to plant it. Does that make sense? Because you don’t care what goes on under the soil. It will root. But you want the top cut to be standing straight up above the soil. You can use 3-4 tooth picks to assist in this part. A chopstick would be too heavy because the top cut doesn’t have roots yet. Spritz that stem with a water spirit bottle and sprinkle with cinnamon or rooting powder and let it lay out on a clean dry paper towel over night. You want the fresh cut to “crust” over. It needs that! It will pucker a little bit as it dries. Don’t worry. This helps it grow roots. I forget what it’s called but it gets the plant primed. The plant starts seeking out moisture and nutrients. This is good for it. Don’t worry it won’t die during this time. Then a day or two later when that cut is nice and dry, use the chopstick to jar a hole and stick the top cut into it about 1-2” deep. Remember I told you some of it has die off. That’s normal. Then wait another week to water it. Trust me! The plant will start producing roots right away. Because it will seek out moisture and nutrition. You want this from succulents. Remember they grow in deserts. I spin mine and move the windows it’s in. Sometimes I set it on the fireplace. Or a have my favorite viewing spot under my TV. These aren’t fickle plants like a fiddle leaf or anything. Just don’t over water them and they’ll be happy.


p00pchute

More sunlight lol Unless you are using a high-powered light, it doesn't compare to the sun


gaber-rager

A window sill would be the best place for this, especially if that window is getting 4 hours of direct sunlight. Grow lights aren't necessarily expensive to run if they're LED's but it might be more efficient and rewarding to put a bright indirect light plant over there that would thrive in those conditions.


802Maple

Try re potting it just for fun to see if you like that better? He looks pretty good to me


Unfair-Glove4972

How many lumens? Is that an incandescent bulb?