24 Hour Light

[bigjuhin]

So I'm just wondering if a 24-0 light cycle is bad for plants, can cause any problems for plants, etc. I pretty much have to use 24 hour cycle because the plants are in an outdoor spot (shed) and temps are getting to below 40 at night so unless lights are on it'll be too cold for them.. I heard of people doing 24hours sometimes but trying to get some direct feedback on weather how it works or how it doesn't. Thanks!

 

[superstoner1]

24/0 for veg is fine. it wont work for flower though.

 

[bigjuhin]

Thanks man appreciate the quick reply, just to be clear though its fine to do right from seed eh, right to the day I switch over ?

 

[Nice Ol Bud]

Plants needs a rest. Recommend 20/4 for veg. Plants do better (produce more carbos)
with less light over a longer period of time than alot of light for a shorter period of time. There is
a point of light saturation where more light will work against you by bleaching out the lifeblood
of the plant - chlorophyll. Learn to "read your plants" and keep those leaves healthy and green
until harvest. Also, contrary to forum paradigms, in general you want to give your plants more
light during veg and less during flowering, think nature. The flowering response is not the time
to bleach out the leaves with high light intensities (and high P foods). Ultra low levels of N found
in bloom foods will generally not support leaf health.

 

[bigjuhin]

Plants needs a rest. Recommend 20/4 for veg. Plants do better (produce more carbos)
with less light over a longer period of time than alot of light for a shorter period of time. There is
a point of light saturation where more light will work against you by bleaching out the lifeblood
of the plant - chlorophyll. Learn to "read your plants" and keep those leaves healthy and green
until harvest. Also, contrary to forum paradigms, in general you want to give your plants more
light during veg and less during flowering, think nature. The flowering response is not the time
to bleach out the leaves with high light intensities (and high P foods). Ultra low levels of N found
in bloom foods will generally not support leaf health.

well said, and in you saying that i think i could manage to take 4 hours off mid-day when its the highest temp in the entire room to let them sleep without the temps dropping to to low, should be able to work something out ive seen people use blankets to trap heat might give that a try. thanks alot man happy growing

 

[bigjuhin]

anyone have ways of trapping light heat in or around box?
-expensive
-moderate
-cheap
-free

open to all replys, educate me

 

[chipmunkproof]

I think veg should be at least 16/8 but 24/0 is a waste of electricity. I always use 18/6. As far as trapping heat you need to explain what your growing in better.

 

[bigjuhin]

small 2x2 box , open at the top light mounted about 20-30 inches above .. very small low end small scale grow just trying to understand and enjoy the hobby a little more.

 

[chipmunkproof]

Im sorry but I cant think of anyway to heat it cause i always have the other issue. If your temps are too low sometimes putting your lights on during the day can help.
What are your temps?
What kind of lights are you using?
Not to worry about the size of your set up lol we all start small usually.

 

[bigjuhin]

temps are going from anywhere from 50-55 with lights on during the night and 65-70 during the day with lights on.

without lights on it would be like 35-40 at night and 50-55 during the day

 

[chipmunkproof]

o wow ya your going to need to heat that. they sell really small heaters you might be able to duct it outside as the fresh air intake. Having it ouside would save you precious space and lower risk of plants setting on fire.\you could use 4 inch or 6 inch aluminium ducting and high temp aluminum tape would work probably.
http://www.amazon.com/Lasko-100-MyHeat-Personal-Ceramic/dp/B003XDTWN2/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1350501846&sr=8-11&keywords=heater
http://www.amazon.com/Sharper-Personal-Tabletop-Oscillating-Heater/dp/B003WIYG5W/ref=pd_sim_hg_5

or even a heat mat may do the trick
http://www.amazon.com/RZilla-09936-Terrarium-Heater-4-Watt/dp/B005SRVNU6/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1350502053&sr=8-14&keywords=4+inch+heater
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=22844&cmpid=07cseaz&ref=4144&subref=AA

I dunno those are the only things i can think of

I dunno thats what i would do.

 

[bigjuhin]

thanks for the info man, looking into stuff now . happy growing

 

[ryan1918]

If it drops below 50 get ready for all the thc to die just like heat

 

[Michelangelo00]

Try foam panels. They cost 11$ at Lowe's

 

[IvanP]

I don't think I get down to 50F, but I am sure I get down into the low 60's in my closet which is also a 2x2. I run 13 hours at night for flowering starting at 7 in the evening so i get off peek pricing on power. The lights generate heat, which keeps the temps in a good place if not too hot during the night. I think outdoors people encounter temps down into the 40's and lower at night, so why would low temps around the 50's be a big deal when the plants are sleeping?