How long does it take for the bud to start growing?

They start around end of week one and should be big at the end of week two... if it's still small at end of week 2 you're doing it wrong

your post made no sense doing what wrong growing it?? wrong

the 12/12 is more in reference to indoor grows. outdoor they will develop naturally. as far as seeing buds keep in mind those buds ARE the flowers. read on in the forums for newbie guides to understand the different cycles of life (seedling, vegetative, pre-flowering, flowering, and time for harvest). if you can tell sex (white hairs aka pistils, or small sacks of pollen) then you are into pre or early flowering. this lasts 1-3 weeks. then it moves on into flowering. this stage can take from 4-11 weeks depending on strain. if you grow indoors this can be controlled by changing the light cycle. growing outdoors simply keep up your watering/feeding regimen and add nutes as needed or directed. they will continue to follow their life cycle regardless. those buds will flower up larger and larger. you will eventually see a gradual shift in coloration as the trichs turn from clear to milky and the pistils turn from white to amber. do a google search for ed rosenthal's grow bible pdf (youll want to print or bookmark it). its a long read, but extremely informative and helpful. there are a ton of resources out there you just need to go find them.