Switch to flower, clarification

[BassheadGrowsWeed]

alright so I’m growing Mandarin Sunset from clone (stated 60-65 day flower by ethos) and I haven’t been able to find much about grows anywhere except for one member who’s grown it. Have my net set 12” above the top of the soil and it’s filled as picture below, most squares that are full the top is within .5-1” of hitting the screen and some tops are continuing to penetrate the screen but not quite out to the next level of tucking.

I’m at 6 weeks veg since clone transplant tomorrow (6/6 transplant) and I am planning on flipping to 12/12 on the 7/21 for timing purposes (going out of town early October and want to harvest before, could extend and harvest after). Some of my questions/areas of needed clarification are

1) I’ve heard that stated flower time generally starts from the formation of flowers not when you flip the lights. I’ve seen people saying indoor vs outdoor differentiates?

2) Do Clones take less time to start forming flowers? I’ve read varying view points on the subject. If so I was going to plan for a week to start flower formation in my plan, does this sound like too much or not enough?

3) does it look like I should let her veg longer? My other option is an additional 3 plus weeks in veg and flip around 7/29 (depending on the answers about flower formation) so that I can harvest when I come home

Just looking for some insight, can take more pics or answer any more questions if needed!

 

[Thundercat]

1) I’ve heard that stated flower time generally starts from the formation of flowers not when you flip the lights. I’ve seen people saying indoor vs outdoor differentiates?
Yes flower time begins when the plants start forming flowers. It's the same indoors and outdoors. Indoors you flip the lights to 12/12, but the plant won't instantly begin flowering. It takes time to transition from veg to flower. How long it takes depends on the genetic maturity of the plant, and the environment its growing in. Usually 7-14 days, but I've seen it take closer to 21 days on other plants in different grows.

2) Do Clones take less time to start forming flowers? I’ve read varying view points on the subject. If so I was going to plan for a week to start flower formation in my plan, does this sound like too much or not enough?
Clones usually are genetically mature, so they typically will begin to flower in a timely manner. If your seed plant is genetically mature then the clone wouldn't flower faster though. You really can't just preguess how long it will take unless you have grown this plant out before and understand the phenotype. The same goes for the harvest time. Those numbers from the breeder are just loose guidelines. Personally I would suggest planning on it taking 2-3 weeks longer then whatever estimate you come up with. Its much better to let a plant grow for an extra 2 weeks, then to harvest it 2 weeks early.

It's VERY easy to harvest early, and VERY hard to actually harvest too late. In my 13 years of growing, I've never seen someone accidentally let a plant over ripen.

3) does it look like I should let her veg longer? My other option is an additional 3 plus weeks in veg and flip around 7/29 (depending on the answers about flower formation) so that I can harvest when I come home.
Well it doesn't seem like your picture posted, so I'm not sure how it looks right now.

 

[BassheadGrowsWeed]

Thanks for the insight, edited the post with the pics, oops! The one person I’ve been able to talk to who’s grown this said they picked buds at weeks 7 and weeks 8 which seems early but he said it harvested well. This is my first grow of anything ever so I’m just trying to make the most out of it, learn, and get ready for setting up a perpetual

 

[Thundercat]

I would let it veg longer. You can get it to fill the screen better, and get more yield.