1st time poster, 2nd time grower

[leandis]

Hi ya'll,

I'm on my second time growing and I have 3 female sativas. I've been in the budding phase for about 4 weeks and the buds look nice, though I have major poblems with dead leaves, spotted leaves, and persistant bug problem. i will post pictures later for more specific advice, but my question at the moment is: What should my light cycle be set on now and till the time to harvest. I am using a 400W HPS light system

 

[Spliff Twister]

12/12 the whole flowering phase. I have heard of people making it darker longer to make the plant rippen faster but really just leave it 12/12

 

[rds_sk8er420]

yea 12/12 is what ive heard was best, ive heard of 18/6 flowering but im goin to stick with 12/12 myself.
as for bugs ive heard its a constant battle and wiping down the leaves with damp cloths is one way to fight back.
dead leaves, check the temp?, too strong on nutes?, and try flushing the soil?.

 

[leandis]

thanks, 12/12 is what I thought would be best, now this may seem like a silly question, but how do I get my plants to produce lets say 4 inch long 8g buds? is there a specific strain i need? i guess i need to know what influences that type of bud growth