Shortening the length of a day?

[Serverchris]

I tried it once upon a time, but I just stick with 12/12 now and count the months lol. Don't have a way to compare either, unless I save bud from last harvest just to see

I think it was the pot cast where I heard 11/13 would give you more genetic expression. I've got better results since I've switched but I think I've become a better gardener as well so really dont know which the better results are from.

 

[gwheels]

I experimented with lighting a couple of times. I have switched to what i find works (veg at 24-0 and flower at 12-12).

One time playing with timing i hermied a tent so be careful.

Last grow i started flower at 12 12 and reduced by 30 minutes a week until i got to 10 1/2 light and 13 1/2 dark. This results in smaller buds but critical mass finished in 7 weeks.

In my opinion its just not worth the hassle.

I live in Ontario. The cost to run both of my tents start to finish with hydro is exactly 21.25 per month. 550 watts over the plants life (on at half strength on 24-0 and full strength at 12-12) 8 cents per watt per month. And that is with equal use billing in Ontario.

 

[Javadog]

I came on to confirm the other number....i.e. how short can a "day" get without triggering flowering?

I find that 18/6 is safe, but am curious as to whether others have tried 16-8. I imagine that that might
be a reasonable limit...

Good luck all.

JD

 

[growingforfun]

I came on to confirm the other number....i.e. how short can a "day" get without triggering flowering?

I find that 18/6 is safe, but am curious as to whether others have tried 16-8. I imagine that that might
be a reasonable limit...

Good luck all.

JD

I think it depends how you start them out. I would say the lowest level of light is going to be around 15-9. Normal summer veg conditions are 17-7 and less.

 

[too larry]

Has anyone taken this further?

Something like 6 on 2 off for veg, 4 on 4 off for flower? Or much as 2 on 2 off for flower?

Plants use the length of darkness for their flower trigger. Short dark period will kick it back into veg.

 

[too larry]

I think it depends how you start them out. I would say the lowest level of light is going to be around 15-9. Normal summer veg conditions are 17-7 and less.

Normal for folks way up north. My longest day of the year {in NW Florida} is 14 hours 7 minutes. It makes it tricky with some of the short season stuff. But works great for late season and spring crops.

 

[too larry]

I came on to confirm the other number....i.e. how short can a "day" get without triggering flowering?

I find that 18/6 is safe, but am curious as to whether others have tried 16-8. I imagine that that might
be a reasonable limit...

Good luck all.

JD

Disclaimer: All my light knowledge has been gathered for the big orange grow light in the sky.


Strains vary, but I have found 10 1/2 hours of dark is the trigger point for a lot of them. 8 hours would be safe for keeping them in veg.

During my past spring crops, you would know you had reached the re-veg limit when your buds would start throwing white hairs. My Sativa heavy strains were the first to reveg in the spring, so the last to flower in the fall.

 

[Javadog]

Thank you all. It does seem that 16-8 will work for now.