Like rene said, you can start 12/12 whenever you would like. 12/12 is usually started when the plants either show their preflowers, or when they will grow to the size you want. And what I mean by that is, when the plants enter the flowering stage, they begin what is called the stretch. This is when they finish growing vertically and start to use all their energy towards making flowers. The stretch is usually about the first 3 weeks of flower, then they just explode. They usually grow 2 to 3 times the size they are when you start flowering. Of course it varies strain to strain, but this seems to be the general concensus for most strains. So if you want a 20-30in plant, 10inches is a great time to start flowering. Its all about how much space you have to let the plants grow. Hope this helps you. Happy growing