Quick Lighting Question during Flowering

[sunbiz1]

Does an abrupt reduction in the amount of light have negative effects 3 weeks into flower stage?. I was considering reducing it by 1 hour and was wondering if doing so all at once will cause problems, and if so how much should I cut out daily to reduce total from 12 to 10 hours
TY in advance for any input,

Biz

sunbiz1 Reviewed by sunbiz1 on 03-30-2011. Quick Lighting Question during Flowering Does an abrupt reduction in the amount of light have negative effects 3 weeks into flower stage?. I was considering reducing it by 1 hour and was wondering if doing so all at once will cause problems, and if so how much should I cut out daily to reduce total from 12 to 10 hours TY in advance for any input, Biz Rating: 5

[oldmac]

Hey sunbiz1,

No problem just reducing it in one shot. But why do you want to give your plants less light?
Most of the plant growth and flower developement is based on photosynthesis, shoter photoperiod less developement.

But hey, it's your plants.
OM

[sunbiz1]

Hey sunbiz1,

No problem just reducing it in one shot. But why do you want to give your plants less light?
Most of the plant growth and flower developement is based on photosynthesis, shoter photoperiod less developement.

But hey, it's your plants.
OM

Hi Mac,

The reason for me cutting light back severely on 2 plants is due to their inability to progress. I used a 12/12 on them for several weeks, yet they remained in early flower stage. In theory, simulating the equivalent amount of natural light available in late October should jump start them. I have a third plant about 3 weeks away from harvest, this one I have put back into a 12/12 cycle. It's a bit soon to document any results, and I've never tried this before. It's simply based upon what I have read by others. Some will even increase to 14 hours of light. Should I increase light during final few weeks for plant #3?.

Have a good week,

Biz

[oldmac]

Hey sunbiz1,

I'm really not sure what your best bet is. I admit somebody here pointed out to me the shortened photoperiod routine helped with bud developement. I searched around to find some creditable evidence, could not. But did find on another board a decent grower who had experimented and some strains; mostly indicas or very indica dominate did respond to the shorter light period but sativas did not. Then there was a debate over how long to do it, 1-2 weeks versus 4 weeks.

I've deviated from 12/12 to 14/12 in situations where I felt I did not have enough light, figuring what I lacked in intensity I'd make up in duration.

Obviously strain dependent, like most things.
Were all 3 plants the same strain? Were they grown from seeds or cuttings/clones?

OM

[sunbiz1]

Hi OM,

That's the direction I headed, 12-13 hours should be optimal. As an outdoor grower, the plants begin flowering around Sep.1st when daylight drops below 13 hours. I have a gut feeling that the reduction of daylight by 2-3 minutes per day(or in my case elimination thereof)is having a negative effect on resin production. The pistils are growing, but they don't seem quite right. I certainly don't want to keep changing light cycles, the poor girls are already confused. All 3 were grown from seed and all the same strain. I had 5 seeds last Fall, 4 were female. The 4th plant is vegetative and being used for cuttings.

Biz

[oldmac]

Well Rudy you need to keep in mind that when growing from seed, there is variation from seed to seed. When trying to select a good clone mother, I will grow out 20 seeds if regular seeds and 10 if they are femenized. During the grow out I will take 2-4 cuttings from each just to see how well each roots. Plus if they are from reg seeds,after rooting I'll flower those at 12/12 to sex those. Males die then.

I look for overall structure of the plant, how will each clones, tightness of nodes and then which is most potent at finish. I try to find the "gem" of the group and that is the mom I will base that strain on. Takes time and effort, but is the only way to get the best represntation of the strain.

OM

[sunbiz1]

Hi Mac,

Sorry for the delayed response, there were some server issues preventing me from posting...basically your sig spells it out. I have never met a plant that was negatively affected by too much direct sun. The girl that is 2 weeks away from harvest is fattening up nicely, been moving her from the east to the south window. I set her at 12 hours of daylight, 8 of which are in direct sun. The other 2 are set on 11 hours until they bloom out, then it's up to 12. I've learned real quick that indoors is a completely different animal, now I understand why folks have cloning machines etc.

I have about 30 seedlings started as well, as you mentioned I toss the slow growers/thin stemmed/weaker plants. Even on an outdoor grow, weaker plants have proven to be higher maintenance, less productive, and not worth the time unless you paid top dollar for fancy seeds. I'll try and add more later, hopefully this posting makes it.

BIZ