Can I check my plants when lights out?

[BuzzPion]

I tried to find something about this by searching the forums (really) but could not find anything. I waked and baked so please bear with me...:stoned:

I am just starting to flower 12/12 and was wondering if checking on the plants (like for pH, PPM, and water top ups) during the dark period is bad. I can get the outside room fairly dark and would use a flashlight to see (I have a small grow tent in a large room). So, would doing this for 5 minutes or so cause stress?

Buzz

BuzzPion Reviewed by BuzzPion on 02-03-2008. Can I check my plants when lights out? I tried to find something about this by searching the forums (really) but could not find anything. I waked and baked so please bear with me...:stoned: I am just starting to flower 12/12 and was wondering if checking on the plants (like for pH, PPM, and water top ups) during the dark period is bad. I can get the outside room fairly dark and would use a flashlight to see (I have a small grow tent in a large room). So, would doing this for 5 minutes or so cause stress? Buzz Rating: 5

[Weedhound]

Ive seen the little green eyeglass lights at my local hydro store but don't know if it's a special green spectrum or not.

No.....you should not check on your plants during the dark hour.

[Mr. Clandestine]

During one of my first grows, I had similar time restraints where I could only get into my growroom at varying times during the day. I remember taking a fairly thick piece (3-4cm thick) of green plastic, and basically just taped it to the lens of my flashlight when I needed to see in the dark. Only a dull green glow was emitted, just enough to illuminate what was right in front of me. I even had to do this several times during flowering, and never made a plant hermie from it. But, if I knew then what I know now, I would have tried my damnedest not to do it at all. If you absolutely have to, I think there may be some truth to using a dim green light...but I unfortunately don't know how much water that theory carries.

[psteve]

Don't risk it.
It can cause hermies.
Why do you need to do it in the dark?

[emptyfarmer420]

if you feel the absolute urge to go into your grow room during the hours of darkness, there is a way to do so without damaging the cycle. Use a green bulb to enter the dark room, and since green light waves are not able to be absorbed into the plant, this should cause no problems. no other color light will work, just use green. hope this helped!!!!!!!!:stoned:

[Rusty Trichome]

Agreed...bad habit to get into. Flowering plants tend to freak if you wake them in the middle of nap time.
The only thing I can think of that will possibly fluctuate enough to worry about during the dark period is temperature. (and CO2, if running it) But you can check on 'em just before lights come on without much worry. I'd say no more than 5 minutes before lights on, but this is my own arbitrary guideline.

emptyfarmer420:
Which shade of green works best? Do you use a special bulb?

[BuzzPion]

The reason I ask is that sometimes I work late and can't make it in time for lights on to do regular maint.

[psteve]

if you feel the absolute urge to go into your grow room during the hours of darkness, there is a way to do so without damaging the cycle. Use a green bulb to enter the dark room, and since green light waves are not able to be absorbed into the plant, this should cause no problems. no other color light will work, just use green. hope this helped!!!!!!!!:stoned:

This is not complete information, and should not be attempted.
If you find a bulb that has EXACTLY the same spectrum of green, that EXACTLY matches the shade of green on your plants, then yes, you can use it to go into your grow at night.
BUT
Unless you have the spectral analysis equipment to EXACTLY MATCH the color, you WILL risk hermies.

[psteve]

The reason I ask is that sometimes I work late and can't make it in time for lights on to do regular maint.

You'd be better off changing the start time of your dark cycle by an hour or two.

[mushaboom]

going in there every once in a while with a flashlight to peak around isnt that big of a deal. light during the dark period will definitely cause hermies but not if youre just going in there maybe once or twice a week with a tiny bit of light like a flashlight. also, it depends on your strain. some strains will turn hermaphroditic very easily. you could always try moving your light schedule around so that the lights are on when you come home for a bit.