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CRIB NOTES - I'M USING A LIGHT CYCLE OF 6 ON 2 OFF THIS SHOULD KEEP THE LADIES FROM STRETCHING AND GROW VERY COMPACT.
Many growers advocate the use of an 18/6 light schedule (18 hours on, 6 hours off) while plants are in Veg. However, this may not be the most beneficial light schedule. Switching to a series of 6/2 (6 hours on, 2 hours off) light patterns may increase plant growth while also potentially creating a more stable controlled environment.
While this new schedule may sound risky, it actually comes with a number of benefits.
Cannabis is a “short-day plant,” meaning that it will only flower when exposed to long periods of darkness and short periods of light. For cannabis to flower, there must be at least 12 hours of continuous darkness. This allows for the use of a series of shorter light schedules while the plant is in Veg – as long as the plant receives less than 12 hours of continuous darkness, it will stay in Veg.
BENEFITS OF A 6/2 LIGHT SCHEDULE
There is a lot of research that suggests that cannabis plants can only process a certain amount of light per day. After that level has been reached, the plant can no longer absorb more light, and any additional light is essentially wasted. By breaking the light cycle into multiple 6 hour periods, the plant is able to rest and process the light it has received. When the lights come back on 2 hours later, the plant will be ready to process additional light, allowing you to get the most plant growth out of every minute your lights are on.
At a biological level, cannabis’s inability to grow more once it has received a certain amount of light can be attributed to the way the plant processes carbon dioxide (CO2). A majority of the mass accumulated in cannabis is associated with the amount of CO2 found inside plant cells. While under light, cannabis tries to prevent CO2 from leaving its cells by cutting off transpiration. However, this prevents new CO2 from entering into the cell, blocking new growth. When the lights are turned off, and no photosynthesis is occurring, the plant is able to absorb new CO2 into its cells.
Additionally, when plants are exposed to 18 straight hours of intense light, they become stressed. Signs of stress – droopy or curled leaves – will usually appear towards the end of the light cycle. While some stress can be beneficial to plant growth, too much stress can cause harm to your plants and prevent them from reaching maximum growth potential.
Giving plants 6 hours of intense light at a time not only puts less stress on the plants, it also spread out the load on your cooling system over a longer period of time. The cooling system works the hardest when lights are on. By turning off the lights for 2 hours at a time throughout the day, your cooling system will get a break between light cycles, allowing the room to be cooled to desired temperatures before the lights come back on. With a properly sized cooling system, this benefit will be minimized as the system will be designed to handle the heat load throughout the entire light cycle.
While there are many approaches to Veg light cycles for cannabis, a 6/2 schedule allows for maximum plant growth. A 6/2 schedule allows plants to process more intense light, prevents plants from becoming stressed and puts less stress on your cooling system. It’s a win all around. Give your plants a break every 2 hours and you’ll be amazed at the results.
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Day 1 October 1st - 2018 - The 3 Seeds are in germination at the present. The seeds were soaked in reverse osmosis water for 16 Hr. then transferred to a paper towel.
DAY 2 October 2nd - 2018 - 2 out of the 3 seeds have germinated. the first 2 will be put into hydrofarm soilless seed starters using Revers Osmosis water and placed under 3 grolux flor 45 watt.
Day 2 October 2nd - 2018 1:00 Pm. All 3 seeds planted into hydrofarm soilless seed starters using Revers Osmosis water and placed under 3 grolux flor 45 watt
Day 3 October 3rd - 2018 - 9:00 Am. 2 ladies have popped out there little heads.
Day 4 October 4th - 2018- 9:30 Am Seedlings are doing fine. All 3 seeds have germinated.
Day 5 October 5th - 2018 ROW being installed. 2:30 Pm ROW installed.
Day 5 October 5th - 2018 Seedlings are getting first set of single serrated leaves.
Day 5 October 5th - 2018 The tent is setup and running R.O.W.
Day 5 October 5th - 2018 Washed all Hydroton Clay Pellets in ROW. NO DETERGENTS. Rinse and Rinse again. Using R.O.W. so the medium has a practically no Ph.
Day 6 October 6th - 2018 - Transferred the best 2 seedlings to tent under Veg. 1000 Watt L.E.D. Each bucket contains 19 liters of R.O.W. no nutrients added. This will continue for the next 2-3 weeks depending on growth.
Day 6 October 6th - 2018 Seedlings put under Light Cycle of 6 On 2 Off Ect.
Day 7 October 7th - 2018 - Seedlings looking good. Seems everything is fine on 6 on 2 off light cycle.
Day 7 October 7th - 2018 - The 3rd seed germinated is looking very healthy. Transplanted it from the hydro seed starter to a 1 gallon planter with soil. Placed this in between the 2 main plants in the D.W.C. & used R.O.W.