Wolfsnare4
New Member
Hey guys, first post here. I've scoured the forums for years but haven't actually made an account until now.
I have two tents running, both in veg. I started the first plants on November first, so I've been vegging the oldest ones for almost 4 months now. Needless to say, they're bushy af and I'm anxiously anticipating spring as I rapidly run out of space. I have lst'd and defoliated often to keep these plants short thick and bushy. It's a lot of work, but they're all healthy and thriving females. I have four of my ladies in 15 gallon pots, littered with perlite, while the rest are in 7 gallons and a few in 5 gals, All fabric pots.
Anyways, I am soon beginning process of cutting a nice amount of clones from my 23 strains and have a massive outdoor year. I hand picked large producing, mould resistant strains with high thc content. Ranging from pure indicas to exotic sativas that will surely be trees by fall. I plan to keep vegging and put them outside in 300 gallon smart pots or possibly right in the prepared soil, on may 24 long weekend.
My question has to do with light schedules. I have had my tents on 18/6 and I know I have to match them up to 15/9 very patiently by May when I put them outside. Problem is, to save money on my 2200watts of metal halide all winter, I've set my off time for 11am - 5pm, the winter peak electricity hours.
That being said, over the next few months I need to change my light schedule entirely to turn on at 6 am and go off at 9pm, which are the dawn and dusk times predicted for may 24 weekend this year. Question is, how do I do this with the minimum amount of stress to my ladies?
I considered just leaving the light on longer than normal until 6 am rolled around, then set it to turn off again at 12 noon? Then gradually (15 - 30 mins a week?) extend the dark period until I reach 15/9? Which would be my desired 6am sunrise and 9pm sunset? I'd love to keep these bitches vegging, no hiccups, til they're like 9 - 10 month old behemoths.
Suggestions?
Cheers guys!
I have two tents running, both in veg. I started the first plants on November first, so I've been vegging the oldest ones for almost 4 months now. Needless to say, they're bushy af and I'm anxiously anticipating spring as I rapidly run out of space. I have lst'd and defoliated often to keep these plants short thick and bushy. It's a lot of work, but they're all healthy and thriving females. I have four of my ladies in 15 gallon pots, littered with perlite, while the rest are in 7 gallons and a few in 5 gals, All fabric pots.
Anyways, I am soon beginning process of cutting a nice amount of clones from my 23 strains and have a massive outdoor year. I hand picked large producing, mould resistant strains with high thc content. Ranging from pure indicas to exotic sativas that will surely be trees by fall. I plan to keep vegging and put them outside in 300 gallon smart pots or possibly right in the prepared soil, on may 24 long weekend.
My question has to do with light schedules. I have had my tents on 18/6 and I know I have to match them up to 15/9 very patiently by May when I put them outside. Problem is, to save money on my 2200watts of metal halide all winter, I've set my off time for 11am - 5pm, the winter peak electricity hours.
That being said, over the next few months I need to change my light schedule entirely to turn on at 6 am and go off at 9pm, which are the dawn and dusk times predicted for may 24 weekend this year. Question is, how do I do this with the minimum amount of stress to my ladies?
I considered just leaving the light on longer than normal until 6 am rolled around, then set it to turn off again at 12 noon? Then gradually (15 - 30 mins a week?) extend the dark period until I reach 15/9? Which would be my desired 6am sunrise and 9pm sunset? I'd love to keep these bitches vegging, no hiccups, til they're like 9 - 10 month old behemoths.
Suggestions?
Cheers guys!
