In an ideal situation it takes approximatly 6-8 weeks for a plant to finish budding from start to finish. The reason plants usually flower in late summer and fall is because the days get shorter and the nights get longer. We have artificailly shortened daylight hours by placing our hydro units in enclosed structures that the roof can be opened and closed every 12 hours. The first time I did this I took 4, 4x8 ft sheets of plywood and made a box four feet wide by 8 feet high. I made a cover and made a step so I could get up to open and close the lid I made out of plywood. I painted the interior white. I capped it with thin white plastic because I have chopper problems. Usually my dog heard them before I did so it gave me time to get the lid on. This first experiment was done with a dirt growing medium. and plastic bags, taped like rose bushes in case they had to be moved quikly.