which hydroponic light cycle is best?

[ninjatoker]

is it better to grow with a 24/0 cycle or 16/8 or is there a better vegetative cycle? Asking for future reference...

ninjatoker Reviewed by ninjatoker on 12-14-2010. which hydroponic light cycle is best? is it better to grow with a 24/0 cycle or 16/8 or is there a better vegetative cycle? Asking for future reference... Rating: 5

[LOC NAR on probation]

24/7 will work but and this is a bigg butt 18/6 allows your roots systems to develop much better as roots grow in the dark period.

[ninjatoker]

ok, thanx I will start my 2nd grow with the 16/8 light cycle and see what differs thanks again..

[NoCoBigPoppa]

I've been using a 24 hrs veg cycle for over 13 years. I've always had great results with 24 hrs and never had any issues with slow root growth. Plenty of research shows that cannabis doesn't need any rest during the veg cycle. You will definitely get a little more growth and minimize veg time under 24 hrs, but you will also consume more electricity. So what you need to figure out is this; does the extra growth (be it minimal) outweigh the added energy consumption with the lights being on 6 extra hrs a day. In my particular case the answer is yes. It may be the exact opposite for you, nonetheless, good luck.

[ninjatoker]

see now I've read that the 24/0 light cycle wouldn't have much of a difference than the 16/8 light cycle... But I did notice when I switched my light cycle that my plants grew about 5in in 2 days... So I was curious

[oldmac]

24/7 will work but and this is a bigg butt 18/6 allows your roots systems to develop much better as roots grow in the dark period.

Hey there LOC NAR,

Please don't take this the wrong way, but IMHO "...roots grow in the dark period." is a myth.

If it was true, the accepted clonning schedule of 24/0 would produce little or no roots. As a teacher once told me, "roots grow in the dark but not when it is dark." I just had a debate on another thread; Would like opinons on seedling light schedule.

Peace and good growing to you. :thumbsup:
OM

[khyberkitsune]

I have had faster rooting time under 18/6 (2 weeks) than 24/0 (3 weeks typical.)

The majority of nutrient uptake and transport happens during a dark cycle. It seems to make sense that they would root faster with a dark cycle as well.

[oldmac]

Hey khyber'

I have found with seedlings in soil or soiless mix, that after the first week of 24/0 they do better after that in making more roots using 18/6.

Tho I have found in the clonners, cuts root faster at 24/0, then 18/6 or 12/12. Depending on strains they start to show in 3-10 days.
I have not found personally or in any plant literature evidence of root growth during the dark phase.
OM

[LOC NAR on probation]

Hey there LOC NAR,

Please don't take this the wrong way, but IMHO "...roots grow in the dark period." is a myth.

If it was true, the accepted clonning schedule of 24/0 would produce little or no roots. As a teacher once told me, "roots grow in the dark but not when it is dark." I just had a debate on another thread; Would like opinons on seedling light schedule.

Peace and good growing to you. :thumbsup:
OM

I too ran 24/7 for years and now doing a little better on 18/6. I understand the dark thing. Maybe a better way to explain is when it is dark the whole green chlorafill leaf thing is not going on and gives the roots a little more energy to develop in the dark.
I'm also working with northernlights right now and they do much better on 18/6 where as S.A.G.E. and Papaya go balls to the wall on 24/0.
Oh, and yes cloning always works better and faster on 24/0.

Anyway no problems. The big thing is to find what works for you.

[ninjatoker]

so are you saying that the light cycle depends on the strain and the type of grow? That's the understanding I got from your post, and if this is what you're saying then that makes alot of sense and clears up the issue for me thanx...