roots and lighting question.

Hi, my friend currently has a hydro setup that is on 18/6. From what I have read roots spend most of their time "searching" or growing during the dark hours correct?

It is also well understood that MJ grows the best under 24hr or similar lengths of time. My question is; if this is the case, woulndn't it make sense to leave the light in the 18/6 cycle so that the roots still have 6 hours to grow during veg rather than a constant light cycle?

Wouldn't this especially be the case for hydro setups where the roots are coming out the bottoms of mesh pots?

Show me 2 plants, from the same mother, one in 24/0 and one in 18/6, and show me a big difference between them. My opinion is exactly that, an opinion, but I have tried both time periods on different grows. The only difference I find, is that the plants grow more. Not a lot, but more. Now, I havent looked at the roots when in the veg (but in the end at harvest, the roots are about the same size), but if the canopy is larger in a plant with 24 rather then 18, and its healthy, then it probably also has a root system to support that canopy. Plant is bigger = bigger root system.

That being said...I use 20/4 or 18/6, but not for the reasons of better root development or something like that. I use it because I believe there are more advantages to having some darkness then the advantages of light 24/7, even though I believe plants need light far more then they ever need darkness (veg state of course).

The advantages of 18/6 or something similar that I see, is that you greatly enhance your bulb's life, you wont need to water as much, your energy bill will be substantially lower if you have a lot of lights, you will have an easier time keeping things cool. I use 24/0 when I am vegging from clone for 1 week and then going into flowering.

[quote]"It is also well understood that MJ grows the best under 24hr or similar lengths of time."

Nothing personal, but that is Bullshit...It is not widely known that it is best to have 24 hours of light.
Here is the thing...Plants do not receive 24 hours light anywhere...If you do not give them time to rest, they will hermie from stress. It is a proven factoid that more feminized plants are produced by using shorter photoperiods...you want Male plants? Use the longest photoperiod.

somewhere on this site...I did a thread on feminized seeds...which still require correct growing methods and shorter photoperiod's in order to remain female.*

the only time I even use a total of 18 hours is for MUM's
For vegging I use 15-16 hours until I drop times to 12/12. Keep in mined the longest day of the year is approximately 15 hours long...that should tell you something.

*this info came from an excerpt of a study done at Dutch passion (the real seedbank).

good luck Peace

I would definitely trust what latewood says over me. he obviously has a lot more experience. I only have opinions from my "somewhat" limited experience.

I guess my thinking is that more light is like a hydroponic system. Your putting the plant in an unnatural state, where it is able to uptake far more dissolved oxygen, sits in a constant nutrient state, and the environment is very carefully monitored. This however, does substantially increase growth compared to a normal soil grow. So, to a degree, wouldn't MJ possibly be able to take advantage of abnormally long amounts of light, the same as it is able to take advantage of more oxygen and nutrients with hydro?

Finally, I will stop with saying that my plants, in flowering mind you, grow more during the night then the day. So hey, that backsup latewoods statement IMO.

as photosynthesis occurs...the plant uptakes nutrition...however, after it is full, it stops eating. So, that answers your thoughts about uptaking more just because the light is on...besides, you do feed at night in hydro...basically to keep the rootzone from drying out, and in case the plant get's hungry...just on a more limited basis. Like humans, if they don't sleep, they stress out. make sense? peace

I suggest you read a bit on photosynthesis and photoperiods...It will help you understand better.

let em grow, dosent matter. depends ones preference

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Originally Posted by Green Love

let em grow, dosent matter. depends ones preference

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"bullshit"...you might be able to grow your own. But, don't advise "bullshit" to growers, that don't yet know the correct way to do things...in turn wasting my time:( It is basic common horticulture knowledge...that you never run any plants under 24 hours of light!!! peace

Ah... well there are exceptions to every rule. I have the original Sweetooth#3 as a mama, and have grown out many many clones. I HAVE to keep the swt3 under 24/7 lite or it flowers.

He's not asking about MOM's...Keep your MOM's at 24 hours and they will hermie eventually.

hi
i would have to agree with latewood,your plants need rest dont run your light for 24 hour,ive tried this before and yes it stressed my plants and yes turned them hermie

Yes there is a point in the cycle of life of this plant when it needs dark period. The dark period is the only time it can process the stored energy to make antioxidants and move Mobil nutrients around easer to the portions of the plant that need them.

:dance: Well....I could say thats "bullshit", but instead i will RESPECTFULLY disagree with the last three posters. And latewood i know he wasnt talking about moms. You began the general photosynthesis theory about how all plants hermi after 18hrs of light. I was only pointing out to you that i personally have had sweetooth#3 for several yrs and it WILL flower under less than 24hrs light. Exceptions to the rule.

And hey, while we are on it, 24hrs of light wont automatically produce hermies. I know i'm going to get some technical link to read over, which i likely wont, but I have used 24/7 floro lite for many different strains of clones and, i use 24/7 floro for mamas and seedlings. I use 24/7 to veg sometimes. Been doing this for a couple decades and there has never been a hermi prob. I will agree the plants grow roots better with some darkness, but consider also they grow more foliage under 24/7, Which ultimately makes more roots.

Honestly, I have done several tests for my own curiosity and dont see any real difference in size, health, or yield. Peace to friends

I'm not going to post anything for you old and slow...I cannot teach you anything...peace

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Originally Posted by oldnslow

:dance: Well....I could say thats "bullshit", but instead i will RESPECTFULLY disagree with the last three posters. And latewood i know he wasnt talking about moms. You began the general photosynthesis theory about how all plants hermi after 18hrs of light. I was only pointing out to you that i personally have had sweetooth#3 for several yrs and it WILL flower under less than 24hrs light. Exceptions to the rule.

And hey, while we are on it, 24hrs of light wont automatically produce hermies. I know i'm going to get some technical link to read over, which i likely wont, but I have used 24/7 floro lite for many different strains of clones and, i use 24/7 floro for mamas and seedlings. I use 24/7 to veg sometimes. Been doing this for a couple decades and there has never been a hermi prob. I will agree the plants grow roots better with some darkness, but consider also they grow more foliage under 24/7, Which ultimately makes more roots.

Honestly, I have done several tests for my own curiosity and dont see any real difference in size, health, or yield. Peace to friends

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Rooting clones and starting seeds under floro lights 24/7 is fine. But there is a point in the vegetation cycle where rest after 18 hours of light is a good idea. Sure you can grow under 24/7 but it can stress the plant and a stressed plant can turn hermie.

I will save you the links to things you will not read and you can believe me or not it's up to you. But if you want to grow the very best quality you can then you need to control the environment and light cycle to eliminate stress. Give it a try once and see for your self if you don't get a little better, last a little longer effect. As well as a better looking and tasting flower too.

It's up to you, nothing personal

Happy growing :thumbsup: