My First Post! Question about flowering...

OK, I've done a fair amount of reading over the last few years, but here's something I just started wondering: Most growers will veg anywhere from 18 to 24 hours a day, right? So if a plant has been getting 24 hours of light everyday, will it still flower at 12/12?

As I understand it, MJ flowers since it "knows" that it will be dying soon with the coming winter, right? So does the full 24 hours of sun early in its life somehow trick the plant into flowering earlier.......with, say, 14 hours of darkness, instead of the 12?

Thank you.

A plant stays in vegetative state if your provide it with more than 14 hours of light a day. Aproximately. I think.

When you decrease the light cycle, the plant starts to flower, because this is how it happens in nature. As winter approaches, days get shorter (more darktime), and plants bloom.

There's debate as to wether it's the "less than 14 hours of light" that causes flowering, or is it "increasing dark-periods" that cause the flowering. I'm a newb, so I don't know. But, 12/12 = flowering.

Best,

-turtle420 :cool:
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Usually 24/0 the first week.18/6 after that until the plants are between 8 and 12 inches.Then 12/12 until the end..Great first post!

To answer your question, Cannabis flowers when it has 12 hours of absolute darkness. That is why a 18/12 cycle will still work for flowering. In some rare cases Plants flower reguardless of light cycles (or the photoperiod). Plants will flower properly when they are 6" or taller.

Thanks everyone for your responses... Here's the reason why I'm asking this: My locaton is approximately 25 degrees N latitude, so our winter season is VERY mild...

Let's say that a grower starts a plant at this time of the year (February). During vegging, that grower places his/her plant outside, then brings this plant inside at night to receive some low intensity fluros (better than nothing). This plant would be getting close to 20+ hours of light 7 days a week...In 2-3 months, we'd expect this plant to be a pretty decent size. If that grower wanted to flower his/her plant in May, when there is still roughly 13 hours of sunlight, would s/he HAVE to cover the plant, making sure that the plant is limited to 12 hours of light? Or would this 13 hours of light still allow the plant to flower, since early on in its life, the plant received 20+ hours of light?

I guess matters are complicated since the days are still getting longer in May, right? Anyways.....comments? Any other ways for this hypothetical grower ;) to flower his/her plant without doing the very difficult task of covering the plant every night?

Once again, thank you!

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Originally Posted by starchild

Usually 24/0 the first week.18/6 after that until the plants are between 8 and 12 inches.Then 12/12 until the end..Great first post!

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is it alright to start off with 18/6 for the 1st week, and jus keep it lyk that til veg??

Yes it all right. During veg. growth it really doesn't matter about light. You can change it all around all you want. Your best bet is to be consistent. In veg. A plant would grow in 6 on/18 off, but it would be much slower. I would suggest the 18/6. It gives it alot of light(which is needed for the plant to make energy, More light more energy more growth) but still gives them a break(as well as gives your light a break). I've read that when outdoor, a plant will actually grow more at night and "collect" light energy in the day time.