Imprtant Question On Flowering Period.

I haven't read one thing on the net that actually explains this...what is the actual start-point when talking about weeks of flowering?

I mean, say an Indica takes 8 weeks..ok, does this mean from the first day you turn the lights down?Or right when they show sex?

Don't you have to figure in the 8-14 days it takes to show sex?

I am so confused by this, and as you can see it is obviously VERY important!
All mine showed sex in 8 days, and yesterday was week 6 of turning the lights down, so is that a legit 6 weeks?
Or am I at like 4-5?

Thanks.

Bump.
I've really never seen this information documented, and you would think it'd be one of the most important pieces of info on the damn subject.

Seriously...there is a huge difference between the two weeks that I don't know for sure is factored in or not!

A 1990 edition of the Marijuana Growers Handguide by Mel Frank states that the counting is relatively started after the flowers form in numbers, or clusters.
So as one can see I'm a bit confused, but NEED to absolutely make sure my subjects are ripened to perfection!Those essential oils and terpenes, as well as potency are what matters.

from when you switch your lights to 12/12 to when you cut thats the flowering period, its entire length is at your discretion, there is no "ding buds are done" light so do some research

mistaphuck said:

from when you switch your lights to 12/12 to when you cut that's the flowering period, its entire length is at your discretion, there is no "ding buds are done" light so do some research

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I haven't found clear cut answers ever on when these weeks start, and like I said I've read that some consider it to start once it's "budding" well.
I've done some research, and I know it takes constant observation, so where did I ever say that I thought there was a "ding, my buds are done"?
I see all kinds of information about trichome observation, but never a good write up on when these weeks actually start.

So I'm at a legit 6 weeks then, right?

Bump.What happens to be the true answer?

I have always started counting weeks from the time i switch the light cycle, but in my opinion you cant rush things. I just use this number of weeks as an indicator of when i may be coming close to the perfection point. However, it has been my experience that some strains that supposedly grow 8 weeks take 9,10, or 11, some as little as 7. Your best bet is to stick with what you know about the trichromes and harvest when you feel the time is right based on what you see under your microscope. A number of things can affect a plants flowering period such as stress, sickness, pests, ideal conditions, heat, inadequate lighting, ect. If you are really preoccupied with this, harvest a plant at 8 weeks out, 9 weeks out, 10, 11, and so on up til about 14 and compare the results. For the shortest flowering times, have ideal conditions in our grow area at all times.

I don't want to rush it.
Wow, everybody must be so damned anxious to harvest that you assume everybody is in a rush.
I got enough head bud to last me, I don't want to rush my sensi...you kidding?!?!

All I wanted to know was the official start point for the week count.I've got one strain that looks ready to GO and it's only been 6 weeks since I turned the lights down.
Nothing of mine will need even close to 14, what I'm growing is Indica dominant, for sure.
My question makes perfect sense, for why would any of the days before the flowers actually appear be considered flowering anyway?There are no flowers yet!So I didn't know if it was when flowers were first seen or when the lights went down.
And I know full well about gauging the trichomes, I am not asking that, I just want to know the start point, first flower or start of 12/12?

I Don't know about anyone else but I count the first day of flowering when I see the first hairs showing.....

Parsley85 said:

I Don't know about anyone else but I count the first day of flowering when I see the first hairs showing.....

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See what I mean about different versions.Thanks for the response man, this is driving me nuts.

Sorry im not much help.

there is a poll on rui i looked at a day or two ago nearly 90% agree flowering period starts at switchover...

Its when you get your actual flowers to start growing. The first set of hairs that appear are preflowers. These are not actually flowers but is a way the plant shows it's a girl. When the next stage of hairs grow in are the flowers. This is when you start it. Hope this helps clarify everything.

Yeah I start the countdown after seeing the first signs of budding. usually about a week after starting 12/12.

I call it from the day you put them in 12/12...you can get white hairs before, but that just means they're READY to flower, not actually started yet IMO

Thanks for the replies.The last 3 answers make a clear point as to why I posted this thread, in case people thought my question was pointless.
The last three answers can affect your harvest dramatically, if you let week numbers influence picking.
So I guess this week coming up is #7 by "The sim's bob newbie" 's answer, and it is week 6 if you go by "Bandit & Milesmkd" 's answer...

Seems like it's just better to keep that in the back of your head, and depend on Trichome development, as well as other things, to indicate your harvest window.

Thanks.
https://www.rollitup.org/members/the-sim-s-bob-newbie-61927.html

MF DOOM said:

Thanks for the replies.The last 3 answers make a clear point as to why I posted this thread, in case people thought my question was pointless.
The last three answers can affect your harvest dramatically, if you let week numbers influence picking.
So I guess this week coming up is #7 by "The sim's bob newbie" 's answer, and it is week 6 if you go by "Bandit & Milesmkd" 's answer...

Seems like it's just better to keep that in the back of your head, and depend on Trichome development, as well as other things, to indicate your harvest window.

Thanks.
https://www.rollitup.org/members/the-sim-s-bob-newbie-61927.html

Click to expand...

Don't be so focused on how many weeks your at and how many weeks the strain is supposed to finish at. It varies depending on your conditions and the plant itself. Some strains when started from seed can finish weeks apart just due to the characteristics that plant has. Keeping an eye on the trichomes is the only true way to know when your plant is ready.

The total number of weeks flowering doesn't matter. It's only a guideline.

You should harvest based on tric coloration and overall bud appearance.

That being said the vast majority of growers start counting the day they switch to 12/12.

It's when you switch your lights to 12/12 for sure. Just like outside when the days start to become shorter the plant doesn't immediately start to show sex but it starts the process of flowering. It is triggered by the light. And in time the plant will show sex and bud if it's female. You are counting the number of weeks that the plant "has been exposed to the flowering or 12/12 photo period". When you hear How many weeks have you been flowering?, think, How many weeks have your plants been exposed to the 12/12 light cycle?

Im a first time grower. Im outdoors so no light to switch. I started counting when my plants starting flowering. 3 weeks ago. But Im only using the weeks as a guide. Im really paying attention to the trics. The weeks really only tell me to when I should start to look for a change in tric color.

i would have said first 12/12 to start the count. good to see im not off by others. i was kinda curious about the op, myself.