24 hours or 18/6

ive got 6 cuttings bout 2 weeks in..and got few seeds that sprouted 3 days ago roughly 10..was just wondering what be better to do have light on for 24 hours or have it on 18/6 im using a 400 watt mh for veging any help be appreciated

Well you always hear the more light the better. But I run mine 18/6 and does fine plus cuts off a little power usage.

the short dark period is the best without a doubt. i have run the same strains through different cycles and 18/6 and 20/4 seem to be best and in flower 10/14 had no difference than the 12/12 except the cheaper electric bill.

no need for a dark period when in veg ...go 24 hrs florescent lights dont use that much power

thanks for the help i was thinking that as well 18-6 they seem to grow bigger and faster due to the dark period

I leave my lighting on for 24/24 for the first couple weeks. Then I cut my lighting back to 18/6 once my plants get a hold and start to grow. Ive read many articles saying that 24hrs is the only way to go and how its so much better for the plants. But per the grow books I have they explain how having a 6hr dark period during the veg period is better for the plant than just running it for 24hrs aday. The books say its because the plants need the dark period to shut down and breath or release gases or something, but just as the books said and I figured, its only natural for plants to have a dark period. Thats how they've evolved in nature to grown in light then in dark, no where on earth is there a strain growing in the wild that doesnt get some dark. So like I said above, Id place your plants in 24hrs of light for the first 2-3 weeks then cut them back to the 18/6 time schedule for the rest of the veg. period or you could just leave them on 18/6 from the time they sprout until your ready to flower

I'm using 24 hours for the first couple of weeks then switch to an 18/6 to save on the electric bill. They just grow faster with more light so the more the better.

thanks nate for the info im gonna do it your way im gonna start a grow journal soon so try check it out thanks

i veg 20/4. almost every living thing needs a rest to do it's best.

I found that with 24/0 my plants were shorter but much bushier, and with 18/6 they stretched a bit taller and less bushy. Not really a difference in yield though in my opinion.

rocpilefsj said:

I found that with 24/0 my plants were shorter but much bushier, and with 18/6 they stretched a bit taller and less bushy. Not really a difference in yield though in my opinion.

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I'm trying to keep my plants short... Has anyone else heard that 24 hours of light keeps the plants shorter???

i usually go with 20/4

when you leave your lights on 24, you make the room a constant temp. 18/6 gives it a chance to cool for 6 hours. having constant temps. lowers humidity and makes an environment perfect for pests, ie. mites.

I have found I tend to get more vertical growth when going 18/6 due to the plantz searching for light during the dark. It will help reduce the stretch and promotes healthier roots. They both work. I choose to go 24/0 because it workz for me. Peace and one love

has anyone tried the 12/12 method from first leaves on?

I'm on my first grow ever and I hope i dont get males...although seeds would be ok...i just want ganj lol...just a couple closet plants off cfls...

Does anyone know the best nutrient ratio to give? I started MG soil and it has them looking great but (hopefully females) when its time to flower i know that more Phor and Potash, but what breakdown?

From the things I've read and seen the differences are minimal, besides the electric bill.

20/4 is the proven standard that most advanced growers use. I think I'm doing away with the veg cycle altogether. Unless something goes wrong, I'm going to bump all of my future grows into early flowering.

I do 24/0 if I can afford it. My only experience from it is a boost to overall growth. But maybe plants use a dark period to their advantage.

i have no problem in veging up big plants using 24\0 light,infact sometimes they grow too fast but never had any grow problems in veg with no dark period.do what works for you, veggin plants is the easiest part of growing theres no one way is better wether your advanced grower or armature grower its hard to fuck up veggin plants