Started Seed with 12/12, then slowly increasing lighting cycle

[TheWhiteRider]

I started my seedling outside and left it there for about 1 week but it wasn't getting much direct sunlight (12/12 light schedule with a lot of shade from blacony).

So now I've moved it inside and used some CFL's to grow it. I am slowly increasing the exposure to light from 12/12 to 13/11. I am then going to make it 14/10 in the next couple of days. Is this a problem?

Does increasing the light cycle stress the plant? Maybe make it more prone to coming out a male?

First grow, thanks for advice!!

TheWhiteRider Reviewed by TheWhiteRider on 09-06-2008. Started Seed with 12/12, then slowly increasing lighting cycle I started my seedling outside and left it there for about 1 week but it wasn't getting much direct sunlight (12/12 light schedule with a lot of shade from blacony). So now I've moved it inside and used some CFL's to grow it. I am slowly increasing the exposure to light from 12/12 to 13/11. I am then going to make it 14/10 in the next couple of days. Is this a problem? Does increasing the light cycle stress the plant? Maybe make it more prone to coming out a male? First grow, thanks for Rating: 5

[lunarose]

Hi, I don't think that will stress her out its the abrupt shortening of light or throwing light in the middle of the dark cycle is what stresses them.

[Weedhound]

Isn't that going backwards? Reduced lighting will encourage flowering.....then you're going to stop that process by increasing the lights......totally confusing the plant.....and me....I'm afraid I don't get it.

[TheWhiteRider]

Why do you say decrease the light period? I am talking about INCREASING the amount of light the plant gets per day, NOT decreasing.

I really want the plant to grow fast, so I will keep increasing the light cycle every day until I reach 18/6. Then, once I have defined sex, I will start flowering (maybe).

My main question is whether this increase in light per day will stress the plant?
Has anyone ever tried this?

[bluntwiz]

I dont think thats a good idea unless you are planning to flower from seed in which case you would want to keep it under 12/12 lighting.

IMO if you want a decent sized plant you should keep it under either 24/0 or 18/6 light constantly for a month or so, give it time to veg a little and then switch the light to 12/12 so it can flower.

but to answer your question, i believe you are stressing the plant by doing what you are doing right now.

[Jerry Garcia 2007]

I think they missed the first sentence these plants are just 1.5 weeks old
right?

If so you should be fine they will just think it is springtime and days are getting longer. It may be better to just go to 18/6 and get them growing faster now instead of spread out.

This is only an observant opinion. I have never actually done it so if someone has done it or knows for sure what happens feel free to correct this.

[TheWhiteRider]

You are correct sir.

Plants are 1.5 weeks old.

I will go ahead and increase to 18/6 and let you guys know what happens.

I just hope all this stress doesn't make it come out a male. Since I moved far away from my hometown and have NO connections whatsoever I am really wanting to smoke some nice bud!!

[Chronic Chrissy]

I would say screw the gradual increase and put it strait up to the light cycle you want. I've had a few instanses where I've had to increase light cycles and you want those plants to get the message right now that they should be in veg before more Flower horomones run through them. I've never had problems jumping the light up in veg stage. Since your plant isn't mature enough to show sex yet you are actually causing stress by having the dark period as long as it is since some plants actually do flower in a cycle of 14/10 we just all use the safe 12/12.

[db2776]

My indoor hydro grow is under 14/10 now, strain is Pure Power Plant. I started at the traditional 12/12 for 2 weeks then switched to 14/10 - no build up.
I am now 5 weeks into flowering and here is what I see.
Growth has not been compromised, in fact one gal is now 53 1/2" tall.
Bud formation is excellent, in quantity and quality.
Resin has begun to form on all except two females - by the way no male flowers have sprung up thus far.
As stated two females are in full flower but have not yet begun to produce significant resin. However, for some reason both of these gals do not resemble their sisters at all, in fact they look unlike any strain I have seen to date. Hard to explain. It maybe that due to some mutation, so perhaps these two would prefer the traditional 12/12.
What I have noticed and this concerns me slightly is that the plant and thus buds appear focused on vertical growth and hence they are not "bulking up."
I am presently experimenting with a small outdoor grow, yes it is November however I live in the south. I noticed that these plants are smaller, have respectable bud quantity and the buds are thicker. This may have to do with the temperature and # of hours of light.
That said, thus far 14/10 has worked for me, however I still have a few weeks to go.

[FunkMeister]

I think they missed the first sentence these plants are just 1.5 weeks old
right?

If so you should be fine they will just think it is springtime and days are getting longer. It may be better to just go to 18/6 and get them growing faster now instead of spread out.

This is only an observant opinion. I have never actually done it so if someone has done it or knows for sure what happens feel free to correct this.

yah hes actually got a good point? the plants are built, naturally, to recognize the transition of seasons. when the cannabis seeds begin to frist drop (in natural seasons) late fall/early winter, it has plenty of time to grow into a seedling during time that there is 12/12 lighting still. so this plant must recognize that hes gone from the last few days of winter and then into spring, and perhaps had not sexed itself because it is too premature??? (say like between 2and 5 nodes, give or take)

im str8 retarded right now, i hope that made sense