12–12 flip (first photo grow)

Hi bud. This dark sequence you describe is something that can be done but really is not essential. Ive been growing for nearly 20 years and Ive never done any of it and have very good results using basic equipment and basic nutrients in my hydro grows. Some people will say it does improve trichome production or THC etc but you will also get a hundred different answers on which length of dark period and when is best. The cannabis industry is insane at the moment with the amount of products "that you must have!" and actually dont need along with all these techniques to improve your grow which again are mostly unnecessary. Nothing wrong with lolli-popping, scrogging and that type of training but the best advice to anyone in their early days is to just keep it simple.n Dont stress over trying for the absolute best grow ever or it does your head in when it doesnt go well and can be very demoralising. Let the plant grow normally, as nature intended and you will have a great grow. Sorry for the waffle, I am quite stoned!

Thy do darkness before harvest, and that is objectively retarded to do. it's a hormonal positive feedback loop that changes in the plant due to a particular molecule that builds up in darkness. It's the plant's internal calendar. There is no need to go beyond the threshold necessary, so there is no need for "extra" darkness to aid the flip to flower. It is happening before you see it the moment you give it 10+ hours of uninterrupted darkness. Some plants may even flip with 9 hours of darkness - i wouldn't rule it out. However, you do 12/12 to ensure 100% of your plants go into flower. 13/11 should be safe too, if you ever need an extra ~8% DLI, all other factors the same. i've never bothered with transitioning. the plant doesn't have feelings nor does it have a central nervous system. It merely reacts to the environment - compartmentally at that. It's building those hormones in darkness every single night. If length is long enough, it sets off a chain of reactions inside the plant and shifts to flower. that's all. I'm not saying it wouldn't screw up the rest of the plant, but you could very likely cover up 1 branch for sufficient darkness each day and that 1 branch will go into flower... possibly cause some funkiness elsewhere and i am not recommending this. Depends on how mobile the hormones are, lol. But, if it doesn't, it'd be an easy way to identify males early if limited to our eyes. tissue culture gender testing can do it as soon as a you can provide a sample.

I agree with Organomans answer. I'd also add in, do w/e gets you to aorund 35-40 DLI. for my lights its not 18/6Veg & 12/12flower but instead its 16/8veg and 11/13flower As long as the night period is longer then 10-11hrs it will bloom. its all about the uninterpreted darkness that triggers flowering in the plants.

Just go to 12/12 at whatever schedule you want.........the plant will be just fine. I tried, many years ago, going to 16/8 for a few days, then 14/10 for a few days and then finally to 12/12 to try and "ease" the transition but found it made absolutely no difference..........the same with 24 hours of darkness before 12/12........makes no noticeable difference and is pure ghetto science imo.