first time grower light cycle question

alright guys im currently growing 4 plants there under a 400w hps. iv got the light on 24/7 but iv been reading that 18/6 is better because it gives the plant a break and i also read that there mere likley to be female with 18/6 is this true. iv posted a few pics could you let me know if they look okay. there 17 days old just been transplanted a couple of days ago. i thought they should be bigger by now or do they look okay. one more question will them pots be ok to flower in dont really want to transplat agen think there just over 3 gallon but i want quite big plants about 3-4 ft will the pots be big enough. any opinions would be great thanks guys.

alright guys im currently growing 4 plants there under a 400w hps.

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I'm no master grower, but a bunch of 27 watt cfl's and a couple t5's or t8's might be better for the vegging stage - 18/6, lots of blue spectrum.

one more question will them pots be ok to flower in dont really want to transplat agen think there just over 3 gallon but i want quite big plants about 3-4 ft will the pots be big enough.

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From what I've seen and read, 3 gallon pots should be fine.

Plants looken good man. Good luck!

i dont know if it's more likely to be female with 18/6. but it will save you on the electricity to do 18/6, and certainly wont hurt the plants.... personally think 24/0 is a waste of money.

thanks guys i can get a metal halide bulb and use that rather than hps would it bo ok to change it now they have been under hps for a couple of weeks

one of the great benefits to growing indoors is having 24/0 or 20/4 as an option. You don't get that choice outdoors. I have heard of 18/6 producing more females but would need more evidence than testimonials to believe it. I'm pretty sure sex is genetically predetermined from seed and the only thing you can do is cause it to hermie - not change sex completely - but i am often wrong.

If i was using CFLs, i would go 24/0 since the the heat and cost are negligible.
I use HIDs and use a 24/0 or 20/4 cycle depending on temperature but I can afford the higher electric bill. If the higher electric bill concerns you then 18/6 would be the way to go and you get the added benefit of reducing the heat in your grow area.

As for plants needing a rest? That could be - i have no idea but plants are not made of muscle tissue so it's not like they need to rest their muscles or anything like that. But there may be some beneficial processes that only occur during dark periods but I don't know for certain.

thanks man do you know if it will be ok to change from a hps to a metal halide they have been under hps for just over 2 weeks. iv been advised not to use hps for veg

disco dave said:

thanks man do you know if it will be ok to change from a hps to a metal halide they have been under hps for just over 2 weeks. iv been advised not to use hps for veg

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yes, i would recommend switching to the MH for veg. If they are the same wattage, i would expect your plants to be fine (actually better than fine).