Should I assume that since I didn't let them "mature sexually" before inducing I had a period of veg growth (even though I was on 12/12) before they reverted, thus contributing to what I've previously referred to as "excessive stretch". If so can I toss out the 58-63 day estimate (for this strain)for mature buds after I went to 12/12?
Yep, the finishing time as described by the breeder is dependent upon the plant being sexually mature at the time the flowering cycle begins. This estimate is most directly applicable to situations where there's a mother plant raised up to maturity and clones taken from that plant. The 58-63 days applies from when you start flowering rooted clones taken from known sex, sexually mature, vegging mother plants. I can't think of any breeders which include the time required to raise the plants from seed to sexual maturity in the flowering period quotation.
Are there any other ramifications to inducing prior to it being considered "sexually mature"? Reduced yields? Improperly formed buds (Although my buds are potent and the trichs are cloudy the buds seem awful "airy" ), anything?
Now you're pushing the envelope of what I know- to know
definitively if flowering a plant before it is sexually mature will cause this fluffy buds condition, I'd have to do it (wrong) a few times.
However, I do know that a plant flowered before sexual maturity will tend to soldier on, mainly in veg mode, gaining height through elongation of the mainstem.
If your plants are generally elongated, I'd expect that character to occur also in the bud formations. If your temps & RH are right (24-26C, 30-50%RH), the next culprit is flowering while still sexually immature. Excessively high temps and RH can cause elongation. With that, I'd expect lowered yields and poor bud density aka fluffy or 'popcorn' buds.
Also check your room for light leaks during flowering area lights-off. Leaks (and peeking with non-safe lights during what should be the dark hours) can cause elongation and even hermaphrodism. If you are tempted to peek during dark hours, use a green LED garden safelight.
If you're getting smokeable buds at all at this point, call yourself pretty lucky.
Thanks again Al....you're a wealth of knowledge. I vote sainthood although "Saint Al B Fuct" has a rather strange ring to it and might not sit well with the Pope.
While I appreciate your sentiment, it won't sit well with me, either! If you look in the encyclopaedia under 'militant atheist,' I think there's probably a picture of me.
Perspective, mon. I'm no wizard, I've just been doing this long enough to have made most of the mistakes once or twice.