well first at all, i am a begginers so i asked the folks here the same questions as you... the minimun veg time... and i mixed all the answer and definitely... first you gotta get a decent height and leaves... i asume that a decent is at leat 20cm heigh and kinda 10 pairs of leaves, if you want decent results obviuosly. i decided to start with a 25cm heigh plants, and i ended with a 75-80cm each one. so you know... pretty decent for me at least i dont want a monster in the closet...btw i did grow old school. no sog no scrog...

good luck!