would like opinions on seedling light schedule

[littlemountain]

just started my first indoor grow- been doing it outside since 1972- got a lot to learn for-sure I have started my seeds , sprouting today- I have them under a 1k MH , I am able to maintain a 72 degree temp 24 inches from tops- should I be running a 20 on 4 off for now- or should I be doing a 16 on 8 off then switch to 20-4 after roots are established- googled this ? and got a bunch of different opinions on using MH at this stage, it is what I have for now HELP !:thumbsup:

littlemountain Reviewed by littlemountain on 11-21-2010. would like opinions on seedling light schedule just started my first indoor grow- been doing it outside since 1972- got a lot to learn for-sure I have started my seeds , sprouting today- I have them under a 1k MH , I am able to maintain a 72 degree temp 24 inches from tops- should I be running a 20 on 4 off for now- or should I be doing a 16 on 8 off then switch to 20-4 after roots are established- googled this ? and got a bunch of different opinions on using MH at this stage, it is what I have for now HELP !:thumbsup: Rating: 5

[bigsby]

just started my first indoor grow- been doing it outside since 1972- got a lot to learn for-sure I have started my seeds , sprouting today- I have them under a 1k MH , I am able to maintain a 72 degree temp 24 inches from tops- should I be running a 20 on 4 off for now- or should I be doing a 16 on 8 off then switch to 20-4 after roots are established- googled this ? and got a bunch of different opinions on using MH at this stage, it is what I have for now HELP !:thumbsup:

Just pick a light schedule and stick to it. Otherwise you stress the plants and risk hermies. Opinions vary on what is best. Some people run 24/0 some 20/4, and some 18/6. 18/6 is what is most widely recommended.

I'm interested to hear from others the benefits of running the longer lights on schedules. Obviously the plants get more light but is there a sacrifice? The plants need lights out for certain processes, no? I have read that there is little benefit to running longer light schedules. I run 18/6 due to heat issues and electricity use.

[Stomper420]

Im popping 6 WW under CFLs 24/0 right now. 2 days and I have at least 1 coming up so far:thumbsup:

[Dutch Pimp]

High littlemountain...:thumbsup:

we just plowed this field, last week :http://boards.cannabis.com/plant-pro...ml#post2158362

[littlemountain]

High littlemountain...:thumbsup:

we just plowed this field, last week :http://boards.cannabis.com/plant-pro...ml#post2158362

Hey Dutch , I do rememeber some of our discussion on times, computer crashed and I lost all saved info on my desktop.I like your metaphor of plowed field-unfortunetly because of these fucking pain meds I am on, I trip in the furrows a lot-and get stuck in the mud- nice having another old farm boy out there-Just left grow room and all 17 seeds showing their green already- started germination on the 16th - don't you love a full moon

[Dutch Pimp]

yes, I do...:detective1:...like a full moon

this is a pic from the one, last month

[GetThisOrDie]

I have used 18/6 and 24/0 on seedlings and have never really seen a difference.


You know you can use just a regular CFL bulb to light your seedlings right? 1000w for seedlings is kind of overkill if you ask me. Plus you save money until they are ready for that giant bulb.

[bigsby]

Only real difference being that with 18/6 plant will show their preflower / sex more quickly. In other words, they mature more quickly. That and your electric bills will be lower!

[SAP420]

With seedlings, I usually go with 24 hour lighting with a nice soft fluorescent light until the seedlings have built up their third set of leaves then I change over to 18 on and 6 off. Although 24 hour lighting is perfectly safe during the seedling stage. :thumbsup:

[GreenThumbDoc]

There has been long debate on this issue and I personally think 18/6 is better then 24/0. The obvious reason, a savings in $$ on your electric bill. The other reason is after watching MJ grow indoors in my controlled environment for a very long time, you can observe very subtle but obvious behaviors of the plant. Roughly 2 hours before lights out, my plants start to droop in anticipation for the dark period. Roughly 2 hours before lights on, they perk back up in anticipation for the light period. The reason this happens, since the plant is not Photosynthesizing, it is taking all stored energy (sugars) from the day and moving them to the stem and down to the roots. Though roots grow 24/7, they do a majority of their growing in the dark. From my OWN experience, if you want a strong healthy plant with a strong rootball, a dark period is key. Of course, in 5 minutes somebody here will come along and totally disagree and give their own take. Here is a picture I took of a plant that was only in a 3 gallon container from a 16oz solo cup for SEVEN days. You tell me if this is healthy accelerated root growth or not? :thumbsup:

GTD