Light cycle question

[stingah]

Hi all,

I've read as much as my little brain can hold from this forum and the growfaq over the last 6 months... Its a little overwhelming all the info out there.

Anyway heres whats going on: I'm finally getting started with my first grow, my seedlings (NL x Blueberry) are just poking out of the rockwool after 1 day of soaking and a day in their medium, with their two little wannabe leaves pointing up to a 125w floro on 24/0. They're in individual makeshift humidity domes in the veg side of my closet.

I understand that you are not supposed to interrupt a dark cycle, but what about interrupting a light cycle? Would that make the plant think it was starting the dark cycle, even if it were only for a minute? If they are put out of the light how long before it could cause problems?

Also I want to say thank you to everybody who actively make this information available to all of us anonymous aspiring growers out there.

Thanks,
Stingah

[smokinbomb]

if the lights go off durring the veg cycle it is usaly ok but try not to make a habbit of spurratticly turning the light on and off of course it could cause it to hermi

a plant can be kept in several light cycles for veg 20/0 18/6 ect.. i find that the longer the dark period the more stretching my plants do so i use 24/0 a plant should remain in the veg stage until the onset of 12/12 for most strains

good luck-Bomb

[latewood]

interruptions to the light cycle or dark cycle if only intermittent are nothing to worry about...It takes a consistant day after day change of photoperiod to set the plant into a change of cycle

[stingah]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.

[Chronic Chrissy]

" Light Cycles

The dark cycle is very inportant to palnts. Respiration(this is when plants are making energy from sugar to oxygen) Continues in dark but at a much slower pace, almost independent of available oxygen because the leaves are not making oxygen in the dark.

In the dark there is a shift from leaf production to root production as the leaves transfer excess energy down to the branches and roots. Therefore, some dark time allows for better root structures. The "Experimental Root Growth 10 Days After Cutting" graph on page 33 shows that giving plants a 24-hour light cycle is not the way to supercharge growth"

This is from "How to supercharge your garden" With the graph on page 33 this follows...

"Light period for cuttings

PLants have a free running internal bio-rhythm of 21-27 hours. In this rhythm, they need dark time. Cuttings have a built in daily rhythm that they inherit from their parent. Cuttings will root better with a 6 hours to 8 hourdark period because this is the main time when leaves and the stems transfer energy down to the root zone for storage and growth."

The chart has hours of light per day on the bottom, and length of roots in millimeters.
-@ 4hours of light the roots after ten days were only 22mm long
-@ 8 hours of light after 10 days the roots were 25 mm long
-@12 hours of light we shoot up to 40mm long
-@16 hours it peaks at 50mm
-@20 hours it drops down to 37mm
-@ 24 hours it drops down to 29mm

There is also a shitload of info regauring root to yeild ratio vs veg to yeild ratio, and draws the conclusion that at the end of the experiements the root to yeild ratio was higher



I figured this could be useful to you.

[bluntman 420]

i dont know if qanyone said this but get those plants out of those clear containers.....that aloows the roots to be exposed to light...no good.

[smokinbomb]

^^ yes good point

Bomb

[kindprincess]

he's started them in rockwool, perfectly ok with the little domes.

however, you should transplant to soil or hydro soon...

kp

[stingah]

I was planning to put them in a dwc bucket after a few roots were starting to show, with about a quarter strength nutes, gh flora using the 321 formula. They are only getting water right now. I've been letting fresh air in to the domes about twice a day and checking that the cubes are still moist.

I hadn't thought about the light on the roots, would putting them in a plastic cup wrapped with something to keep it dark keep it dark work until I put them in the bucket?

[kindprincess]

i'd stick to what you got, temporary exposure while awaiting tips won't hurt.

kp

[stingah]

Oh and regarding Chrissy's notes, should I switch to an 18/6 to encourage root growth?

I need to keep the plants small because my cabinet is small but my lights should have good penetration so I was going to attempt a scrog screen.

Thanks,
Stingah

[kindprincess]

i myself would stay with 24/7 to help with temps. if you can get the temps to an acceptable level, then you can change if you wish. i have grand results with 24/7, so that's what i'll always be on. if it works, don't fix it, right?

kp

[Chronic Chrissy]

According to my info you want 16/8, worst thing that happens is you can get through veg faster and induce flowering to fit your space, I no nothing of SCROG though, I hope I kinda helped.

[stingah]

According to my info you want 16/8, worst thing that happens is you can get through veg faster and induce flowering to fit your space, I no nothing of SCROG though, I hope I kinda helped.

Done, and yes you've definitely helped. Thank you!

[latewood]

I totally disagree with 24/7...always have-always will. NO commercial or professional grower uses 24/0...none. chronicchrissy post is dead on, and that is the same opinion as experts such as "dutch passion" seed company in Holland. Beware of 24/0

I am adding "henks" article about photoperiod to the growfaq excerpt from chronicchrissy that I posted in growfaqs yesterday.

sorry KP, but I am in total disagreement with you on this point. peace all later, lw

[GrowRebel]

" Light Cycles
I figured this could be useful to you.


Do you have a link? Can you post it ... I would like to read more about this.:rastasmoke:

:noel:

[Chronic Chrissy]

It's from one of my books, you know the paper things your read and researched before this internet thing. LOL Everyone is asking me for a link, maybe I'll see if there's a copy on the web...

[kindprincess]

I totally disagree with 24/7...always have-always will. NO commercial or professional grower uses 24/0...none. chronicchrissy post is dead on, and that is the same opinion as experts such as "dutch passion" seed company in Holland. Beware of 24/0

I am adding "henks" article about photoperiod to the growfaq excerpt from chronicchrissy that I posted in growfaqs yesterday.

sorry KP, but I am in total disagreement with you on this point. peace all later, lw

that's ok, we can't agree on everything you know... i've tried both light cycles (18/6 and 24/0) and see very little difference. i know the facts, but the 24/0 is keeping my temps ideal. it's the only solution to the battle of nature; if my lights go off, my seedlings die.

under a controlled climate with central heat and air, i would deffinitely be on a 20/4 or 18/6, as i am in the summer, but, i have to say that i've had no ill tidings with my current lighting schedule, and my last gro vegged under 24/0 the whole time. 5 out of 8 were female, ended with 2-4 ounces per...

love, kp

[latewood]

cool..I always say..to each his own...I have a closet full of herb and so do you!

bTW. The heat issue is a real good reason to...maybe the only reason, but a good one. peace

[kindprincess]

:D and we are on the same side again, lol ;)

[latewood]

transfer to lights