Re: Xlr8's Hydroponic Adventures and Photos from the Garden - 2012
hi all, ive just been having a good read about the lighting schedules ie, 24-0 or 18-6, now it goes into depth about the pros and cons of the lighting schedule, but what it all came down to was this, plants that are grown under 24-0 tend to produce more horizontal growth where plants under 18-6 produce more vertical growth, now the argument was that the plants stretch more due to the lights being off and this causes the plants to grow tall, where as 24-0 prevents this so called stretch period and promotes more horizontal growth and keeps the plant lower to the pot,
so if thats the case, would a mixture of both mean you could say start with 24-0 for few weeks then change to 18-6 for next few weeks before turning to veg, surely this should then make the plant bushy during first few weeks but then it will grow more under 18-6 and produce bigger buds, does anyone see this as been a good idea,
I admire your determination in your quest for the ultimate optimum veg schedule, but I think you are focused on the wrong thing. My sincere, honest best advice I can give is this:
Pick something simple (either 18/6, 20/4, or 24/0) and stick with it for a couple of grows and develop your skills in all aspects of growing. I'm just saying, at this point in your growing experience it's the least of your worries/concerns, or at least it should be.
Let me give you an analogy - bear with me on this one. I used to be into competitive cycling. Expensive components sometimes cost hundreds of extra $$$, just to save a few GRAMS of weight on a bicycle. Consumers actually buy these components too. Lance Armstrong had a great perspective on this - unless you are racing in the Tour De France, why spend hundreds of dollars on saving a few grams of weight, why not take a few grams off or your OWN weight, it's much easier and cheaper, and it's all the same in the end as far as how much weight you are carrying on the bike. Once you get to the point you are fit enough for the Tour, then start shaving grams off with light-weight components. Needless to say, I find this brilliant advice that can be applied somewhat metaphorically to a lot in life.
My point is, there are so many other more fundamental things you can do to improve your outcome that will have more impact on your final results. Once you get those things mastered, or at least have a good comfort with them, then look at lighting cycles. I know people love the Gas Lantern Routine (also called 12-1 technique) but even that I think is better left for more experienced growers. Not saying a new grower can't do it, but why not keep things simple while you learn the other more important aspects of growing, which are (in this order):
- Environment
- Environment
- Environment
Kidding, KINDA.
Having your environmental conditions dialed in are a big part of the battle. Learning how to not over-love your plants is equally important. Once the environment and appropriate feeding/watering schedules and amounts are dialed in, master training your plants (Topping, LST, manipulation to get a consistant canopy). Once you get all that really comfortable (expect this to take more than one grow) then start exploring alternative vegging cycles. There just isn't that much appreciable difference to focus so much time on it at this point in your growing experience.
Just my opinion and the sincerest advice I can give you. May I respectfully suggest --- Don't try to paint a Picasso before you've successfully completed a few paint by numbers...
out
