very first time! help me

i'm a little confused about the overall process of growing. i germinated 2 bagseeds just to get used to before i buy real deal seeds... i planted them in 2 cups outside (b/c i havnt invested in lights). am i supposed to give them 24 hours of light a day until i am ready to flower? then i give them 12/12 right? and if so, how do i know if they are ready for 12/12? when and how do i find out if they are male or female, and if they are male, how do i sex them. thanks!

Welcome to RIU! First off, all your questions can be answered by reading the GrowFAQ located at the top of each page. Some people like to veg at 24/0 and some like 18/6. These are the most popular light cycles for veg. Once my plants reach 18"-24" I flower them by placing them on a 12/12 light schedule. If you grow from seed you need to sex them. If you are cloning you start with a good female mother plant and take cuttings. In this way you get all female clones and no sexing. Hope this helps.

its too late, if your in the northern hemisphere, to flower outside since frost is coming.

but if you grow inside, do either CFL lights, or High pressure sodium (HPS). you start out with 24 hours of light (vegetative state), do this for a month or more, then, when your ready for your plant to grow twice as big, put it into 12/12 and thats when flowering and sexing starts. there plenty more info out there that is more specific, but hope this is a good start